Maintenance vs Replacing Prius

+1

That's the difference between 49-state and 50 state compliance.
Many places use 'fake facts' to scare people into buying stuff that they don't need.

 

Is your CEL reader capable of clearing the 420 code? If so. I would clear the code and see if it comes back. Then I would find multiple Independent references to verify what exactly the 420 code is. You may have a dirty Crank Angle Sensor. That can be cleaned in 20 minutes.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

That's a tough situation for the OP.
I'm also assuming the Gen 2's are actually >80K ?
Finding many Gen 2's with less than 8K would be...well rare, amazing and worthy of questioning in the first place.

If The Prius is your only vehicle and your daily driver?
I would suggest that perhaps prioritizing budget and reliability take precedence over maintaining an aging Hybrid.
I would at least consider perhaps getting a non-hybrid option if only as a stop-gap, or temporary vehicle while your financial situation improves and/or you can save up more to expand your options.

I relatively recently ended my relationship with my Prius. I now own a Honda Fit.
While I miss the absolutely incomparable efficiency of The Prius, I'm averaging 30+ mpg, mixed driving with my Fit and it's pretty palatable, by most peoples standards...good as far as efficiency and MPG.

You may be able to get into a much newer, lower miles, Fit, Yaris, Corolla, or Civic. Or any other vehicle.

I'm not saying this IS the answer, but I'd at least expand my horizon to include consideration and investigation.

There can be life...after HSD. Even if it leads to a return to Prius in a year or so.

 

If your catalytic converter isn't working as well as it's supposed to, I'd first change your oxygen sensors. If it's still bad then buy an oxygen sensor spacer and put it in between the oxygen sensor and the catalytic converter. It essentially tricks the computer into thinking it's within range.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

AC will run almost a grand to fix unless its a simple O ring leaking and it never is..
you have a 14 yr old high mile car that isn't worth 2000 in good running condition and yours needs 4000 in repairs so common sense tell you its not worth fixing.

go buy a car that gets 30 mpg with working AC you will be better off in the long run, gas has been cheap for years in most of the country so it dosent make sense to fix ANY 14 yr old car.
sell it for 1000 and move on, car lots will not take it as a trade.

 

With cash tight, I agree with looking at options outside of the Prius. I would try to sell the car as is. At least in Colorado, there are so many parts that can be pulled and sold, they rarely go for under $1500, even with blown engines. There are lots of used cars in the $3-5k range that are still very reliable. If you sell the car for 1500 and buy another for 4000 that only has 120k on it, you'll be in a much better spot, than spending $2500 on a 250k car that is likely to have many other problems in its near future.

 

Agree that AC problems are rarely fixed easily.

Other than changing fluids, most service can be delayed without damaging your car.