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05’ Prius HV Battery Dead- 158K mile. exposed to salted roads- worth replacing?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Dhack25, Aug 3, 2021.

  1. Dhack25

    Dhack25 New Member

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    My HV battery died after a great run on my 05 Prius. Given the current market of the price and lack of inventory of used and new cars I’m debating whether it’s worth replacing. A non Toyota mechanic looked at the car recently and also said front brakes and muffler will likely need replacing in the next six months- year. In total new battery would cost 3K while I estimate other costs to be around a thousand. With the age of the car, I’m debating what to do with it. I drive it in harsh winter conditions, and drive from the east coast to Midwest each year. For the majority of the school year it is driven on metro Detroit roads which are not known for being in the best condition or to have the safest drivers, so I prefer having an older car. Any suggestions as to what to do would be appreciated. I figure if I get I get the battery replaced the car will make it at least to 200K miles (another 2-3 years) currently at 158K miles, but would then be 18-19 years old.
     
  2. Hadit

    Hadit Junior Member

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    When my '06 Prius battery went down shortly after I bought it I was able to get the bad cells replaced for $500. So far so good after about 2 years. That was through the non-Prius dealer I bought it from who had "a guy", but I understand that Prius dealerships will also recondition them for about half the price of a new one. You could at least ask.
    It's such a hard decision to make. I suppose you could look for other cars you like, then you would have some actual comparisons to choose from.
    Good luck.
     
  3. rogerthat

    rogerthat Active Member

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    A new battery shouldn't cost $3k - In Georgia they are currently under $2k. Is your current battery pack all original? If not you'd get charged the additional $1300 core charge which, to my understanding, is only refundable if you return an original battery pack. You could also consider a 2K1Toaster battery pack which is $1600.

    Did that mechanic recommend replacing the muffler due to rust? Careful letting anyone change out exhaust components. Read some of the recent catalytic converter threads. If the mechanic estimates the brakes will last another 6 months to a year, he might be basing that assessment on a regular ICE vehicle. Maybe get the car checked by a hybrid mechanic if possible.

    I doubt you would be able to purchase a reliable car for under $3k. If it was me and the car checks out without any other major issues, I'd buy a new Toyota battery. Worst case scenario, something else major goes wrong and you choose to give up on the Prius - you could then sell the new battery and original Cat for over $2k.

    However, if the car has extensive rust and the brake actuator or other major component is showing signs of failure, then cut your losses and sell.

    Hadit, I've never heard of a Toyota dealership reconditioning hybrid batteries. I believe they only sell batteries with brand new modules unless things have changed.
     
    #3 rogerthat, Aug 3, 2021
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2021
  4. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    16-17 years is a great run for any battery!

    if the engine is in good shape I wouldn’t hesitate to put in a new hybrid battery. Beware of “rebuilt” battery’s as they are only a temporary fix, most of the time it ends of being a game of wack-a-mole.

    Breaks are very cheap on the Prius. Pads are less than $50 and roters are around 100. I replaced my muffler on my 2004 for $100 and 1.5 years later it’s still good.


    Like others said, shop around for better prices on a new battery packs. Sometimes Toyota stealerships, oops dealerships will price match.
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    ask your mech if he will install the $1,600. battery
     
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  6. Another

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    My experience is when a mechanic says your X components will need to be replaced in six months, without anything else but ‘rust’, he is just trolling for business. With the price of used cars skyrocketing especially Prius’s these days, and your catalytic converter worth $1000 or more as scrap, I’d opt for a new battery. Can cost you a couple hundred with some expertise and elbow grease to $1000 for someone to install a rebuild to $2000 for a dealer installed Toyota OEM. For a seventeen year old car, that’s peanuts. Then again you could make the dealer or a buyer very happy by relinquishing ownership of your Prius to them.
     
  7. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

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    Get that car up on a lift and have a trusted mechanic examine the underside for rust damage. Given the age of the car and the environment where it operates it would be no surprise to find the car is in very bad shape. Unless you were very careful to rust proof it periodically and wash the salt off, which you didn't mention, and which few people do enough of to make a difference.
     
  8. Another

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    Rust proof it?
     
  9. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

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    Undercoatings of various kinds mostly. If something rusts then rust converter application or scrape and paint. This isn't something I have ever had to deal with personally, since rust isn't an issue in SoCal.
     
  10. Dhack25

    Dhack25 New Member

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    Talked with another mechanic who said that rust wasn’t as bad as it first seemed. Muffler needs to be replaced due to some small rust, but otherwise it’s par for the age of the car. It can easily make it another two years. I regularly washed the car during the winters and the owner prior had it garaged so winters weren’t as harsh on it. Thanks for your advice!
     
  11. Dhack25

    Dhack25 New Member

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    Update: Thanks everyone for your advice. I believe I’m going to end up using a third party company who specializes in replacing hybrid batteries in Prius’ and does it for half the price of Toyota dealer - roughly 1500 compared to 3000. I know the need to be careful about refurbished batteries versus new batteries, but with the used market being what it is, I feel it’s worth a shot.
     
  12. Another

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    Rust converter then paint if properly applied is a good thing but a PiTA to use in the places underneath. Undercoating fell out of favor in the snow/salt belt long ago when it was discovered that many people who bought it had worse rust due to the hydrophilicity of some of the formulations. Also the advent of Zincrometal did away with most of the need. Much of the rust one sees on cars is due to misapplied primer at the factory. GM is notorious for this and has had to recall cars to 'fix' them which never really works. I see a lot of GMC SUVs with this problem.
     
  13. rogerthat

    rogerthat Active Member

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    Bad idea. Don't spend $1500 on some third party reconditioned pack... you'll almost certainly regret it. Also, make sure they don't use the rust excuse to relieve you of your catalytic converter set!! If they do switch it out, make sure you claim the original.
     
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  14. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    ... especially since the brand new kit of modules from newpriusbatteries.com cost $1,600 comes with a 2-year warranty and includes delivery to any of the contiguous US states on the continent. It makes absolutely no sense to buy an old second-hand battery for $1,500.
     
    #14 dolj, Aug 6, 2021
    Last edited: Aug 6, 2021
    rogerthat likes this.
  15. Another

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    There are two types of refurbished battery packs, one replaces failed cells with unfailed cells from other used packs and the other one replaces all of the cells with new cells.

    In my experience the one with new cells is a couple of hundred dollars more than the patchwork swapped used cell alternative.
    Installed the new cells in a swapped pack is about $2,000 or less. And this is installed not DIY.
     
  16. rogerthat

    rogerthat Active Member

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    Where do these guys buy the new oem cells? BTW, I just looked up the price at a local dealer (assuming you live in CT) for a new oem pack - $1755. So as long as you've got an original pack currently installed, that would be your best option. Tons of youtube videos on how to install. Otherwise I'd guess you'd easily find someone to install for $200 or less.
     
  17. Another

    Another Senior Member

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    The cells are out there OEM from Panasonic I believe but it is easier for me to have someone else do it.
    I’ve used these guys on a 2007 Camry with rebuilt (new cells) hybrid battery previously with very good results
    They sell one for the Gen 2 Prius for $1750 with exchange installed at one of their nationwide shops. Four year warranty.
    The company has an interesting history that you can read on their website, as they are second generation mechanics out of California who transitioned to hybrids.

    2004-2009 Toyota Prius Gen 2 Hybrid Battery, Unlimited Mileage Warranty | Greentec Auto
     
  18. rogerthat

    rogerthat Active Member

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    They definitely do not use brand new oem cells. Looks like they're using cylindrical cells - likely similar to the 2KToaster cells, but quality might be inferior - maybe 2KToaster will chime in on any differences. Again, if the OP still has his original pack, just purchase a brand new genuine Toyota oem pack and self install or pay someone to install - the price will be roughly the same.