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2005 175K or Repair Totalled 2008?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Chris77*, Sep 23, 2022.

  1. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    Maaco $400? So much for $100 fix. U Pull prices are generic, trunk lid? Maybe convince me and see if they have a Prius hatch for $35. Definitely no Prius at any U Pull around here, nearest U-pull is 4 hours away. So how would I shop wisely?
     
  2. highmilesgarage

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    Maaco is just an example if you're desperate and wasn't able to get a matching paint. There are cheaper options such as DIY. If you clicked on my link you see that it's priced at $32.99. Too bad there's no decent salvage yards close to you.


    Liberty-Muncie Price List
    PrintExcelCSVCopy

    Show entries
    Search:
    PART NAME --------> PRICE / CORE CHARGES
    DECK OR TRUNK LID ----------> PRICE 32.99 / CORE 5

    it is not, especially falling in line in DMV. You could be lucky to get a very knowledgeable staff otherwise you'll get the typical DMV form this and that. If you are a shop that specializes in rebuilding then the state trooper (or inspector) will basically let you pass without any question since they know that you have the skill and right equipment to the fix (plus the dealer plate which lets your move the car around). If you are just a shade tree or DIY mechanic they're going to nit pick on items that they don't like. They basically don't want the common public fix their own stuff and run it in the public. You are right on the VIN along with the receipts, usually you ask the staff in the junk yard to put the vin in the receipt if you're rebuilding. There's also a hassle of getting temporary permits to drive the car around (remember its still not legal to drive the car with salvage title), there's a form for that allows you to drive from your house to the inspecting facility on a particular day. Last time I did this the waiting time for the state inspector is 3 months..
     
    #22 highmilesgarage, Sep 26, 2022
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2022
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I've updated your thread title to make it clearer
     
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  4. Chris77*

    Chris77* Junior Member

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    I have the damage report and posting it here. My thoughts on it are this. P thinks there is 7k of damage. I would be lucky to fix it for 3k.
    If P gives me 6k and I keep and have to fix with the salvage title car is worth half the value. 6k + (car at half price 4k) - 3k in repairs = 7k. There is 2k more on the 9k offer for the car plus if repairs go over 3k that I have budgeted. I don't see how I can't take this generous offer of 9k. Plus all the Priuses and their parts are in LA which is 4 hours from Vegas and I have no transport and no budget machinic. All of us Prius owners should be happy to own one as the value is way up! Interesting if P would just fix the car for 7k they would save 2k!
     

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  5. highmilesgarage

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    wow 3k on labor, 3k on parts + 500+ for paint!! shop has to make a profit..
     
  6. Chris77*

    Chris77* Junior Member

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    The waste is pretty ridiculous. I don't think the system works well for used cars. I don't know body work at all and feel like I would need special tools and knowledge to get all these parts and seems damage is in the quarter panel which makes repair more difficult.
     
  7. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    Most parts available in Vegas/Henderson. $200 for black hatch. $200 for black bumper with reinforcement bar. Body lower back panel has the most damage. New panel 58307-47030 from Toyota $400 or salvage maybe $200. 64 spot welds to drill out and replace back lower panel. Lower back panel is double skinned as shown in pic with yellow and red markings. Also possible to work inner skin marked in yellow square, drill out inner skin spot welds around impact area in red and cut out that section, you will mig it back into place after you push out that dent, makes it easier to use a $149 body jack from Harbor Freight to massage lower back panel to original contour. Could be done for $1000, depending on your skills and how much time you have.

    You know your Prius and 135K miles is relatively low, you are taking a chance with a 2005 with unknown and future issues unless you have the diagnostic skills to really inspect the 2005.

    4 Ton Portable Hydraulic Ram Harbor Freight

    Video showing the body ram massaging a dent
     

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    #27 alftoy, Sep 27, 2022
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2022
  8. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    I may have missed something, what has living in California or LA for parts have to do with fixing the Prius? The body work required for your Prius is not rocket science, your mechanic should be knowledgeable enough to replace the hatch, drill out the spot welds for the lower back panel, and if he can weld, bonus and also to use the hydraulic ram. You may need to find somebody to mig the inner skin spot welds.
     
  9. Chris77*

    Chris77* Junior Member

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    Thanks for your reply. The way I see it I have to fix it for 1000 to break even with the 9k offer for the car out right. I don't like having to move to an unknown car but I have done it before and it will have clean title. Maybe I can make some money on the next Prius. I should get a bumper sticker that says please hit me.
     
  10. Chris77*

    Chris77* Junior Member

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    LA is Prius central. There are 10Xs as many to buy and there is 10Xs the parts. Prius is cheaper in LA than in here in LV. I have no transport and a newborn at home. The wife had c-section and doing well but having some slight problems. Going out there right now and dealing with ridiculous traffic could take 24-48hrs or more. I am exhausted my daughter born 5 weeks ago. We got hit on the way to her first pediatric appointment. Everyone was fine. Baby was in ER last weekend due to dehydration but everyone is doing well now. I just have a lot going on.
     
    #30 Chris77*, Sep 27, 2022
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2022
  11. Chris77*

    Chris77* Junior Member

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    #30 Chris77*, Sep 27, 2022
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2022
  12. Chris77*

    Chris77* Junior Member

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    For instance here is the top prospects in LV vs LA for the 9k budget. This is Year, Mileage, Asking price, (KBB).

    LV
    2012 148k 10K (8-10)

    2007 134K 8K (5500-8)

    2005169k 5900 (3882-6449)

    2005 182K 5800 (3600-6200)

    2005 136k 6300 (4444-7000)

    2004 169K 5500 (3333-5700)

    LA

    2009 135k 6500 (6700-9250)

    2011 123K 7500 (9600-12000)

    2008 119K 7600 (6900-9400)

    2008 133k 7600 (6400-8800)

    2010 140K 7900 (7700-9600)

    2008 135K 7900 (6300-8800)

    2010 145K 8500 (7500-9500)

    I guess I am peeved because I bought the Prius in LA when I lived there. Now I don't feel like I can leave my wife. Those salvage parts are probably cheaper in LA and I might not be able to get them in LV depends on if they have a car or not. I paid 5k for the 08 with 110K miles to an inpatient buyer who just wanted more than trade in for a new Prius in 2017.
     
    #31 Chris77*, Sep 27, 2022
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2022
  13. Another

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    You do not sound like the car repair person type, nor do you sound like you currently need another thing or three to occupy your time, so probably best to let it go and take the money. Let someone buy it who can repair it and enjoy it.

    Buying a good used Prius now is not easy either given that the ones that look like a great but likely have latent problems that will appear a month later like major oil consumption. Maybe you should look for a simpler car, like a Corolla.
     
  14. Chris77*

    Chris77* Junior Member

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    Interesting take that I could buy a newer Corolla since the price of vehicles has increased dramatically. However, I was doing well with the Prius I had. I was able to do repairs I could figure out. This included replace the MFD and Speedometer due to malfunction. I have a good mechanic down the street who will let me bring my own parts which are either salvage or OEM. Do I feel comfortable doing body work or rebuilding an engine, no. I can do good maintenance and fix basic problems. I can look problems up online to keep cost down and keep from getting ripped off on repairs. I would consider myself non mechanic but very savvy. I really enjoyed the Prius I had it was my favorite car I have ever owned and would prefer to stay in Prius. I read the car fax and get an inspection hopefully I don't get burned. As far as getting something as old as an 05 with 175k miles I don't really know how reliable that is potentially?
     
    #33 Chris77*, Sep 28, 2022
    Last edited: Sep 28, 2022
  15. Chris77*

    Chris77* Junior Member

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    Another interesting way of looking at this would be that a Prius with 2 engines is supposed to last longer than a normal car. The internet seems to think a corolla last as long as a Prius. (200-300K) Is there any room to say a 05 prius vs an 05 corolla with 175K miles, that the Prius would last longer? I really don't think I can bring myself to by a Corolla after owning a prius.
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    every car is different, and every owner is different. toyotas used to have a reputation for long life, but it ain't what it used to be
     
  17. Chris77*

    Chris77* Junior Member

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    I saw one of these yesterday. A baby blue Corolla probably late 90s-00s. All the paint nearly pealed off. Pieces of the trunk coming off. Good tires. Just saying going to look pretty damn rough unless someone did a complete restoration and guys just don't do that.
     
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    One owner cars where owner keeps on top of everything (bodywork, maintenance) tend to be in better shape. I'd speculate they don't come up for sale nearly as much. And yeah, not much motivation to restore a long-neglected beater, doesn't make sense financially. The old adage: stitch in time saves nine?
     
  19. Chris77*

    Chris77* Junior Member

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    This I believe my final update as I see quite a few of you interested in this thread. I sold the car to P because here in NV if there is 65% damage than car is totaled by state law. Other states have different thresholds. We can't get around that. With the salvage title the 9k offer is the better offer. I will be back with another Prius in the future and we can work on problems then. I want to say how amazing that this forum is. I didn't have anyone to talk over this with and you guys are the best! Thank you!
     
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  20. Another

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    For a person in your situation the $9k was the way to go.
    Buying a new used Prius without problems is going to be the challenge especially with the distortion created by neighboring California on the market.

    However you could look for an otherwise good one in California that has had its catalytic converter stolen and they’re looking to dump it instead of buying a CARB compliant one.
     
  21. Chris77*

    Chris77* Junior Member

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    It's a good idea they have to replace with an OEM cat in CA which runs them 2-3k. Pretty much everywhere else you can get the part for 100 bucks.