Opportunity to purchase a 2012 Plug in Technology Package

So as the title states, someone local to me is selling a 2012 Plug in with the Technology package for $3000. Body and interior are super clean and with a good detail would look close to immaculate. Of course at $3000, there are some caveats. The owner claims that it does need a head gasket. He has receipts and invoices from the stealership with a $4000 quote for the headgasket. Another con is that it has close to 200k miles. I am the current owner of a 2012 Prius C with only 90k miles and a 2003 honda insight with 130k miles so obviously not in need of another car, but at this price would it be worth purchasing? I was thinking maybe purchasing a used low mileage motor that go around $1200 shipped and paying a mechanic to swap it in, but what also worries me is the hybrid battery. Any advice or suggestions if this is a solid deal or not? Thanks in advance.

 

Here in southern california, plug in batteries range from around $1200 with a 30-60 day warranty and up to $2500 with 1-2 year warranty. I'll be checking it out Sunday and seeing if the invoices mention anything of the hybrid battery. Can it be driven with a bad battery? I'm wondering if the battery can be reconditioned with a grid charger like I've done numerous times with my insight.

 

I'm thinking maybe talk him down to around $2000, $1200 for a low mileage engine, $800 for labor, and if need be around $2000 for a refurbished hybrid battery. So around $4000-$6000 in total. At least it would run like new.

 

That's what I was thinking. It's only a few grand and I can always sell my insight to fund this project.

If people are still driving them with 200k on the hybrid battery that actually gives me lots of hope this is still more then alive.

 

I've watched that video a few times now to see if it's something I can maybe do myself. I've done simple work such as maintenance including brakes, alternators, starters, exhaust systems, etc. but nothing really internally such as transmission or engine work. I'm honestly thinking either having a mechanic do the head gasket or just pouring one of those head gasket sealers and see how long I can drive it before it goes out and buying a low mileage engine to replace it.

 

I'm in the Los Angeles area close to the San Fernando valley. I spoke to my neighbor who used to be a Master Tech for Toyota and quoted me a price ranging from $800-$1200 for a head gasket job depending on how warped the head is and the condition of the block. He also said that if the block is in bad shape I'm better off just buying a low mileage motor and swapping it all out.

He told me the same information you've all told me here about the lithium hybrid battery and that basically he's rarely seen them go out and can usually take a beating.