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Hybrid Battery Needs Replacing - time to sell?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Ktea, Apr 4, 2019.

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Sell now or drive to the ground?

  1. Tow to dealer & sell

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  2. Tow to mechanic & replace battery

    4 vote(s)
    100.0%
  1. Ktea

    Ktea New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    My husband's 2007 has 106,000 miles, and we live in a state w/out extended battery warranty. Sad trombone.

    Ran error codes at auto parts place and he needs to tow it to dealer/mechanic, so we need to decide ASAP whether to replace the battery or the car. Kelly Blue book says it is worth ~ $5k, waiting for quote on battery but we expect it will be about half that.

    Can anyone share the major costs associated with a Prius over 100K miles? It has been well maintained (he is original owner), but at some point the transmission will go, right? There will be some major repairs needed in the future, but we have not owned a car long enough to know what those might be. And while he replaces bulbs and filters, neither of us can do major work on cars.

    Should we expect to shell out big $ in the next few years, in which case it's time for a different car? Or can he expect to drive less than 10K miles for a few years without big trouble? What has been your experience?

    Thanks so much for your help!!!!
     
    #1 Ktea, Apr 4, 2019
  2. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    A Prius does not have a transmission in the sense that you perceive. Go with Factory new or 2k1toaster battery.
     
    #2 Skibob, Apr 4, 2019
  3. Ktea

    Ktea New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
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    ----USA----
    Thanks, Skibob - that's where we're leaning. Quote is $3,400-$3,900. Dealer & mechanic said maintenance for the next few years shouldn't be bad, but the warranty on the new battery is just 3 years.

    Currently looking at the safety features on the 2019 Prius since our oldest is 14 and he will likely be driving this car - that plus spending 1/5 of a new car on a battery does give us pause.
     
    #3 Ktea, Apr 4, 2019
  4. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    It’s only 1 year warranty if you or a non dealer shop installs it. The battery is not that much and an independent shop can install it for much less. My guess is low 2000’s is the real price non dealer. The dealer just wants to sell you a new car, give you 1000 bucks for the old one then throw in a new battery and sell yours for 6,7 thousand.
     
    #4 Skibob, Apr 4, 2019
    srellim234 and Merkey like this.
  5. Ktea

    Ktea New Member

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    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Independent shop quoted $3,700. I don't know if it is just the market we are in (Seattle) or what, but our usual shop doesn't do the Prius battery. We haven't mentioned the possibility of buying a new car to the dealer yet, but I bet you are right about what they'd give us - and then sell it for.
     
    #5 Ktea, Apr 4, 2019
  6. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Post a request for reliable independent shops in the Seattle area and see what comes up.
     
    #6 Skibob, Apr 4, 2019
  7. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Sorry do this in the newb section not the gen 2 section. More people will see it.
     
    #7 Skibob, Apr 4, 2019
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
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    Plug-in Base
    get the $1,600. 2k1 new battery if you can find a place to install it. if you can find a decent hybrid shop, your next major expenses could be the brake actuator and a/c compressor
     
    #8 bisco, Apr 4, 2019
  9. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Location:
    Rocky Mountains
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    The problem is that the hybrid battery as of January of last year dropped way in price if you've got an in with Toyota. Independent mechanics that compete with the dealership for their bread and butter pay retail. Independent "hybrid mechanics" that just do battery work, can get a range of prices that span about $500 difference. Mechanic that works for a dealer with a friends and family discount and so on, can get it as cheap as I can sell my packs.

    Shop around to a different dealer if you want OEM battery. Your quote is high for most places in the US, by about $1k.

    If you want to order my kit, there are lots of installers in the area that can do the job if you can't. It's the same work as a mobile battery swap for most of these guys. If you let them keep the old modules sometimes you can get it for free. About a $300 to $500 value, but you then have no "core" to return in the future if you ever need to. Buying junk modules on eBay to swap back in to make a core is an option.
     
    #9 2k1Toaster, Apr 4, 2019
    Spice Nav and srellim234 like this.
  10. chelvis

    chelvis Member

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    Location:
    Long Valley, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Welcome Ktea. I have a 2005, bought it new and currently have 303K miles on it. I had no real big maintenance costs before or past 100K miles. New struts and shocks but I didn't do those until after 200K. "Transmission" has been steady, changed fluid initially at 100K and have doing it every 60K ever since.

    10K miles a year is not a lot (to me anyway;)). My experience would suggest you should be ok.

    Recommend a new battery either 2K1Toaster cells or new OEM Toyota. Car mileage is low, how's the engine? Does it consume oil? If not, very good for you. I just replaced my battery last year @ 288K miles from a member here (TMR-JWAP) who puts together battery packs with newer cells...unfortunately he is here on the East Coast :(
     
    #10 chelvis, Apr 5, 2019
  11. Philhave

    Philhave Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    2008 Prius in Chicago area. Think batteries need to be rebuilt or replaced. Aux battery is 2 y.o. Tried to jump start- no go.

    Still have $2k left to pay. Suggestions on local person to replace or rebuild batteries. Thank you!
     
    #11 Philhave, Apr 18, 2020
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    don't jump the gun, test the 12v.
     
    #12 bisco, Apr 18, 2020
  13. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Jump start has nothing to do with the main battery. There are tons of vehicles less than 2 years old sitting in junkyards. Age by itself means absolutely nothing. If on Day1 you let it sit and drained the battery, then your 1 day old aux battery would need to be replaced.

    Be more specific about what you did and what happened or didn't happen and people might be able to offer advise other than guessing.
     
    #13 2k1Toaster, Apr 18, 2020
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