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When it's time to let her go...and how?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by TeamPriusNewbie, Mar 10, 2024.

  1. TeamPriusNewbie

    TeamPriusNewbie Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2014
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    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    My poor girl. Purchased in Chicago in 2014, she was a 2005 with only 60k miles on her. Owned by an older couple who drove infrequently. I put 80k miles over 10 years in hard Chicago winters on her, and now I think my time with her is finished.

    Recently had a new axle installed, and then 2 new ball joints just a few months ago- neither shop mentioned the entire frame is rusted. Couple weeks back the check engine light popped on and code P0446. I followed a lot of advice from this forum, tried closing the gas cap tighter, cleaning off any residue, etc.. After several months of the code coming back every few weeks, the red triangle popped up.

    The dealer says charcoal canister and purge valve need to be replaced- another $1100. I just don't have it in me. After this i know the shocks and struts are waiting in the wings, the spark plugs are still the originals, and the hybrid battery at some point. The bumpers are both cracked, body damage to the side from my genius exboyfriend telling me I had clearance when I definitely did not have clearance. Interior is forever stained by my anxious cat causing me to spill an entire travel mug of coffee on the back seat when we moved. She has been very well loved, a little too well loved.

    Question is - with a bum charcoal canister and purge valve, can I continue to drive it? Was considering doing these myself and my dads help - he was under the car earlier to get an idea, which is how we found the rusted frame. I'd like to at least drive it to dealers to look at other cars this week, and then be able to trade it in. Toyota offered me a trade value of $1k- heartbreaking!
     
    GoodOldBob likes this.
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
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    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Yes you should be able to drive it around pretty much like it is I don't think the parts you're getting ready to replace or going to stop it from running.
     
  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
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    Base
    You should be able to get those parts used off of well any junkyard Prius but I don't know what the Pickens are like in Chicago.
     
  4. MCCOHENS

    MCCOHENS Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2019
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    Location:
    Chalfont, PA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    It sounds like DIY is not something you want to consider, and even if you find an independent mechanic repairs will start to add up. The rust is one thing that is not fixable, from a cost view. If your state has inspection and the rust or CEL lite will cause a failure drive it until it becomes illegal. If there is no inspection the rust is the determining factor. I don't think you want to drive it until the seat starts to fall thru or a wheel falls off. Have a shop other than a dealer look at the bottom and give you their opinion.
     
    Brian1954 likes this.
  5. TeamPriusNewbie

    TeamPriusNewbie Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2014
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    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks - my confidence level is higher with some parts of the car than others in terms of repair. I did order the rear taillight and replaced that myself a number of years ago, this one is outside of my limited skillset. While Illinois did not have inspections, last summer I moved to Maryland which does. At this point, planning to upgrade to a Subaru Forester and keep the Prius as an extra car to drive locally for the time being. Thanks for your input!
     
  6. TeamPriusNewbie

    TeamPriusNewbie Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2014
    11
    1
    0
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks- I thought so as well, except after I got a full tank of gas the last time, the red triangle popped on and my heart sunk. Fortunately when I cleared the lights, that one cleared as well- while the check engine light has come back, the red triangle has not, so hoping this car remains drivable as a local car for a few more months.
     
  7. highmilesgarage

    highmilesgarage Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2022
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    Location:
    Kansas City
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    you always lose trading in your car at a dealership, sell it privately like in Facebook Marketplace.. Any cars that came from upper midwest suffer from rust (Iowa, Chicago, Wisconsin, Minnesota, same is true for upper NorthEast) and that depends on where the rust is.. some are ok (cosmetic or surface) some don't (structural).