Why should I keep this car?

No-one will want to change your mind, especially those who will want to buy it from you cheap ;-)

 

Maybe sell it to @JC91006

Depends how cheap or how much did your neighbor owe you.

 

The Owner’s Manual is available to download from Toyota’s website, or if you need a paper copy, from Helm for $40. As the PriusChat Wiki page mentions, the Repair Manual, Electrical Wiring Diagram, and other service manuals are also available from many subscription and no-cost sources—including the Los Angeles Public Library.

 

hard to do any convincing when we don't know what's wrong with it,but it is one of the most reliable cars on the road.
at 55k, it isn't even broken in yet

vdumb cheat diesels? i don't think so.

 

I'm in the Los Angeles area and would love this project car. These cars are usually not very complicated, if you want to keep it, I can probably sort it out for you. Or if you want to sell it, I'll be willing to buy it also. text 626-780-440three

 

Yes, the Prius is very complicated. There is somewhere around 13 different computer modules on the car, including individual ones for the abs system, transmission control, heck..you even have a computer for all the other computers (the network gateway computer). If your car is equipped with HID headlights, there is even a computer for leveling them.

But..that being said..that stuff rarely goes bad. The stuff you usually need to replace on a Prius is just like any other car. Shocks..tires..brakes...wheel bearings...etc. The only specific things one usually needs to replace if they fail is the hybrid battery, inverter, a cooling pump and the ABS accumulator.

Prius is ranked as one of the most reliable cars. I still see many GenII's on the road today, when the last one was made 13 years ago.

Driving one is no different than driving any other car. It's a hybrid so you never have to charge it.

55k miles..either someone drove it to church on Sunday, or it sat a really long time. That's less than 3,500mi per year. Heck, I drive that in a month sometimes.

Did you get anywhere rebuilding the battery? Did you try driving it a while to see if it came back up? I'd imagine if it sat like a year, it won't run right in just a couple days.

You say there is "still problems", what are they exactly?

Also..not sure about CA, but around here diesel is $1.40 MORE per gallon, so even if a VW TDI gets the same MPG..you aren't saving a dime on fuel costs.

 

Funny that you don't like the Prius, I've been buying and restoring prius for a long time. My 1st one is an 05 Prius with 240k miles, it got involved in a collision and the owner doesn't want to fix it because it's expensive (liability only insurance) and I think I paid $900 for it. I fixed it and sold it to my friend for his son's 1st car for high school. It's still running today and it's somewhere around 247k miles. The 2nd is an 07 with 247k miles and the owner sold it because the blower fan has a mind of its own and the dashboard randomly turns black, I paid $1200 for it. Replaced the blower motor and replaced the capacitor on the dashboard and same friend bought it from me for his daughter (they love Prius and got both of them) Unfortunately that got totaled from an accident (daughter not at fault) Insurance paid $3k+ and I helped my friend find another Prius for 3k (no repairs needed)
Finally I found my 3rd one which is an 07 with 158k miles for $1000, engine was misfiring, 12v battery is dead and HV battery bad cells.. it's in very poor running condition with the misfires and Christmas tree lights on the dashboards complete with sounds.. Got it all sorted out cheaply using grid charger and 2 modules replaced. I still have to fix the stitches on the bumper, the fender, the hood and headlight due to deer collision. No frame damage just dented parts.
I love working on this type of car, the interior panels are easy to take out. It doesn't use torx screws, mostly 10mm bolts/nuts all around. Things are easy to replace and diagnose as long as you have the right equipment. Just to mention that on my 1st Prius I did a timing chain and tensioner replacement which I considered to be the easiest. The engine is very small you can replace it easily by lifting it. I even test drove Prius that were pretty beat up and over 300k miles and they're still running fine.
I also have an 07 Camry hybrid with 197k miles which my daughter kept for a very long time since high school. Toyota builds better Hybrid than Honda or other manufacturers.

With hybrid cars, they need to be driven daily or frequently. Letting it sit for a long time degrades the battery just like what happened to my Camry Hybrid. My daughter didn't drive it for more than 3weeks due to surgery and next thing that happened is the error to replace the hybrid battery.

 

If you already replaced the battery with a nice new Toyota one, then you are achingly close to having a worthwhile extra car for use or sale.

If it's one of those greenbeans or something, just unload it for parts. At 55k everyone will want the interior.

 

It might help if you tell us specifically what's wrong with it that prevents it from working?

If you think a VW diesel will be cheaper to run and more reliable, I've got some bad news for you

 

When you're done, there is a 2010 with the 'Advanced Technology Package' (model 1229) available for trade.

2010 Prius Models and Option Packages | PriusChat

 

Which manual? Service manual here
service manual/repair manual | PriusChat

 

Those were freaks of nature. If you compare everything to that, you're in for a level of disappointment not seen since the Red Sox in '86. Better off just finding another one of those while you can.

I look at it the other way around: That Prius was always going to have issues at age 16. Somebody neglected to get their moneys' worth out before it turned into a pumpkin.

 

so what's the problem? you mentioned about replacing the battery and inverter. Is the problem electrical or mechanical? Did you fix it yourself or some mechanic?

here's the service manual. https://cardiagn.com/toyota-prius-2003-2006-service-repair-manual/

 

An old Prius is good for someone who is DIY (or has "family access" to someone) with the skills to keep one running. It's a neat but complicated little car. You want old but reliable- look for a Corolla or Civic.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

if you can't figure out to make that link work, it's going to be an uphill battle for you.

try this
P3004-131

I have GM cars and I say they are simple but really POS when they age. The GM electronics are not that reliable.

 

Lots of Prius service manuals here

https://en.toyota-club.eu/manuals.php?ddlb_category=11&ddlb_model=24