What would you do? Totaled but (maybe) fixable Gen 2

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Pheasanton, Apr 23, 2026 at 11:29 AM.

  1. Pheasanton

    Pheasanton Junior Member

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    Location:
    PA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    An upstanding citizen hit my parked Gen 2 and did not leave a note. The back window glass, spoiler and liftgate release, and various bits of plastic around them are destroyed (lights still work).

    In retrospect, I shouldn't have gone through insurance and should have just gotten the critical stuff fixed myself - lesson learned.

    But I did go through insurance and they have declared it a total loss based on the shop's estimate of about $4k to fix it. If I take a buyout and keep the car, I'll get a check for $4200. Deductible is $500, so $3700 in my pocket before paying for repairs.

    It seems like it would be easiest to buy an entire scrapyard liftgate and have a shop install it for me. (Zero skills here - I can't do it.) But I'm in Pennsylvania and I understand that a salvage vehicle can't be driven and has to be towed to the shop and again to the "enhanced inspection" which requires, among other things, that the reconstructed car have a uniform color. So it'll be harder to find the right hatch, $$ for towing, and a general PITA.

    The car is in pretty good shape for 160k miles and recently passed inspection. It took months to find a good condition Gen 2 and I'm dreading the thought of having to do that again.

    What would you do?
     
    #1 Pheasanton, Apr 23, 2026 at 11:29 AM
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  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    If the hatch is the only thing that needs replacement, that should be an easy find on the used market. In CA, I have friends that can't sell this part, since there is not much demand for it, can be had for $200 or less. The front end parts are the harder parts to find.

    Since it took you a long time to find a good gen 2, and yours only has 160k miles. I would fix it.
     
    #2 JC91006, Apr 23, 2026 at 11:55 AM
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  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    I have everything right here on the property to fix that car in one afternoon generally 8.make sure of it. I'm getting a lil low on some stuff now . Another coming any minute . Anyone know anybody that wants an Aprilia S500 for near free in like new condition?
     
    #3 Tombukt2, Apr 23, 2026 at 1:47 PM
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  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    If I were you, I'd plan a trip down to Durham and have @Tombukt2 do it for you... Or just have a friend or family member with more skills assist you. Swapping out the rear hatch door is as easy as unscrewing 4 bolts and unplugging a wiring harness. It's a very easy job.
     
    #4 PriusCamper, Apr 23, 2026 at 3:08 PM
  5. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Yeah I changed my whole hatch to avoid putting a glass in. zPA is a haul
     
    #5 Tombukt2, Apr 23, 2026 at 3:10 PM
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