Hybrid Battery Replacement - East or Southeast USA - options?

give todd at tampa hybrids a call.

be careful of rebuilt batteries, and mobile repair shops who don't show up to do warranty replacement.

 

I believe there is a hybrid shop in Ashland called Max Auto.

@wjtracy might be of more local assistance .

Not sure what Max offers, but the shop is just up the way a bit.

Good luck and keep us posted .

 

It's Mac's in Ashland...Mac's was a Re-Involt installer before Dorman bought out Re-involt, so not quite the attraction it used to be.
sounds like the dealer is over-charging...I am thinking new batt is under $2000 now. Try Toyota USA for better deal.
But you will need dealer to read the codes, if they have not already..
One of PC members @2k1Toaster has a alternative replacement battery, but you'd need Mac's or someone to install it.

 

You probably need to view this as a high of around $2,800- although I understand that is still a big investment for a 2004. $3,500 for an installed OEM battery would be a very inflated price. Dealerships will tell you their installed battery prices over the phone and there should be other Toyota dealerships near you.

Beware of low prices from dealers that are in other states because they often require you to pay them the labor to install the battery. Most likely, they will not ship the battery, nor will they allow a 3rd party nearby to install it at lower prices, so you would need to factor in transport and travel costs. Good luck.

 

I'm a big fan of Todd's at Home - Tampa Hybrids Inc.. However, that's a long drive from Williamsburg and Todd doesn't ship. But the 2-year old battery I bought from him for my wife's '07 would be in your price range.

Don't do the rebuilt battery thing unless you're just going to use the car for a trade-in. Those things don't last. Myself, I wouldn't want to put a new battery in a car as old as yours, so a complete but slightly used battery would be a good compromise.

 

I'm always leery of rebuilts. In fact, Todd no longer rebuilds batteries because they are so unreliable. But they do seem to have a pretty thorough approach. The reviews are all from new customers. So no long-term information. Time will tell. Hope it works great for you.

 

Just because there is a long warranty, doesn’t indicate a superior product .

During that 5 years, you’ll be inconvenienced due to battery failure and then have to wait for them to respond .

I’d see what the folks at Mac have to say. Do you have AAA? If so and you like what you hear from Mac, I’d tow it up there .

An 8 year old 12 volt is on the long in the tooth side, but check the voltage with a multimeter to see what it is reading. If above 12.5, it’s probably still serviceable .

Good luck and keep us posted .

 

A used battery cannot last as long as a new battery. Regardless of warranty. Regardless of price.

If $1500 is all you want to spend, then it doesn't matter much who you buy it from becacause you won't get a new one at that price. Especially of you want installation included.

For $100 more you could buy a DIY kit with NEW cells, bit that involves quite a bit of work for you. And so far it sounds like you would rather have someone else do the work for you.

Some of the at home install companies have not been in business long enough to have much of a longevity track record. I am very skeptical of a 5 year warranty on a used battery. No one who has purchased it has had one installed that long.

If you want someone esle to do the work then a NEW pack will cost around $2500 or a few hundred more.

If low price is most important to you, and not longevity, then you will likely be stuck getting a USED battery. Because a new on will always cost more.

 

All true, but why spend 150% more for battery life you will never use? A well refurbished and tested battery pack warrantied for 24 months shipped, for $995 sounds like the right deal for this car. Talk to the folks who do it for a living at Hybrid Car Battery Repair & Replacement | Hometown Hybrids. I have no affiliation but I maybe ordering one from them as well. I'm still diagnosing and making sure.

 

fyi item-
HV Battery Goodwill Warranty Listing - Toyota Prius USA | PriusChat

This car is well out of warranty but sometimes Toyota USA will cut the price.
Also helps to have good big dealer, I don't know about the one.
Issue can be clogged batt cooling fan in some rare cases

 

there are only three things you can do with a 12v battery, test, charge or replace. with your age and miles, you likely need a hybrid battery. if you intend to keep the vehicle a few more years, it is worth replacing an old 12v regardless. if you do, make sure they check/charge it before installation, and ask for the build date.

there are green bean experiences here, if you can find them in a google search. the thing to remember, even if the company is reliable, is the potential down time for warranty replacement. and make sure it is parts and labor.

 

If going with the 'used/refurbished' option, then what John has suggested is a good product at $995 with free shipping both ways (must return the core). You will need to find someone affordable to do the HV battery install and clean your HV battery fan (Mac's maybe?).

If you can swing the cost of a brand new OEM toyota factory battery at $2295 (includes free shipping both ways), you won't have to worry about HV battery issues for many years. But again, you would need to find an installer (and clean the fan). If you like a little DIY, you could do the fan cleaning part or the whole installation yourself

New Toyota factory HV battery for $2295, again from @Hometown Hybrids or there via Hybrid Car Battery Repair & Replacement | Hometown Hybrids

 

We don't have any reports on this place, except they did pass me I-70 in their Prius with the logo paint job a few months back, which was the first I heard of 'em.

 

all the best!