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Why are rebuilt engines so hard to find?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Prius92, Sep 25, 2019.

  1. Prius92

    Prius92 Member

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    I am the type of guy that drives cars until the wheels fall off.
    Thought about what the cost would be of engine replacement (hopefully) 5 years from now.
    I can't seem to find any long blocks online for less than $3,000, which seems steep for a 4 cylinder.
    I see a lot of low mileage engines for around $500, but those won't be around for ever.
     
    #1 Prius92, Sep 25, 2019
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    By the time the average Prius is ready for a second engine, the whole vehicle has depreciated down to $3000-4000. Very few people are ready to invest so much in a car worth so little. After all, it get might totaled the day after the transplant, and that’s a real risk because most people don’t carry full insurance on 16 year old cars.

    In that situation, a $500 used engine clearly isn’t a better engine, but it is a better gamble.
     
    #2 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Sep 25, 2019
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  3. Prius92

    Prius92 Member

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    Yes, but a decent used Prius is about $6500 around here. Why spend that much to replace it once it reaches say 250k? Why not just put a rebuilt engine and traction battery for around $3k?
     
    #3 Prius92, Sep 25, 2019
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  4. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Doublecheck your numbers. You’d found a rebuilt engine for $3k, and $3k isn’t unheard of for a proper genuine Toyota battery replacement… so that’s now $6k going into this $6500 car.

    Also let’s look at that- I don’t think there are any 16 year olds going for $6500. Maybe your car (current age 11) is worth that today- but it won’t be at the end of 5 more years.

    When you maintain your car properly its value to you stays high because you know the exact degree of care you put into it. You generally won’t be able to get that from anyone else though.

    Finally don’t forget financing. The overwhelming majority of car buyers have no problem promising $249 a month for X duration, but coming up with $3k-6k in cash for a major overhaul just isn’t going to happen. This alone drastically limits the rebuild market.

    In short, it’s not a terrible idea- it just isn’t popular because so few people are in the position of having a car worthy of a rebuild AND enough bank balance to pull it off.
     
    #4 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Sep 25, 2019
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  5. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    You could get an engine and rebuild it yourself. They have updated pistons and rings. Honestly with the quality of rebuilt engines these days your better off doing it yourself.
     
    #5 Skibob, Sep 25, 2019
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    #6 Mendel Leisk, Sep 25, 2019
  7. Sharnold

    Sharnold Active Member

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    I pulled a engine from a totalled 2008 Prius with 15k miles 3 months ago it cost me $600 and was in flawless condition also had a 6 month warranty. Your best bet get in good with your local salvage yards like me because 80% of them dont want to mess with the Prius or the HV batteries

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #7 Sharnold, Sep 25, 2019
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  8. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    15 thousand miles on an 08? That’s under 1,400 miles a year.
     
    #8 Skibob, Sep 25, 2019
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  9. Sharnold

    Sharnold Active Member

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    It was a good find the only other option was ordering a low milage from Japan this car was a one owner car that a older couple owned and was t-boned I also relieved the car of its HV battery and inverter

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #9 Sharnold, Sep 25, 2019
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  10. Sharnold

    Sharnold Active Member

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    Today's junkyard pull good cells and a battery casing with wiring, ecu and all components and one good complete battery 20190925_180120.jpeg

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #10 Sharnold, Sep 25, 2019
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