1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Time to let go or rebuild ?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by JustDruling4Now, Mar 17, 2024.

  1. JustDruling4Now

    JustDruling4Now Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2007
    23
    10
    0
    I own a 2007 basic. I bought it brand new so I have a sentimental attachment.
    My catalytic converter and the resonater pip was stolen off of it. I found a guy that will sell me a cat and res off a wreaked 2005.

    He is asking $500.00 for the cat and resonater.
    My husband says that since my cat has over 2,9000765 miles that we should let it go. Sell it for scrap and cut our losses.
    Here is a list of things that need fixed or replaced

    Catalytic converter
    Resonater
    Needs new tires
    Needs front break job
    Needs AC compressor
    Something is wrong with fuel gauge
    Needs new latch for hatchback
    Display is dark can't read it.

    So what are your thoughts?

    Motor and transmission are in good shape.
     
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    8,920
    1,553
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    In your post and profile you have no location location is a lot with these cars If it's a rust bucket body damage damaged by rodents getting inside of it eating on wires etc most of the problems you're describing are very common and relatively easy fixes but then again your wife could very well be right especially if he knows the capabilities of everyone in the household If you have to pay for this stuff it will be costly service business is right now are enjoying some of the most expensive time in the history of the country I think so if you're paying people may not be such a good thing unless the car is in very good condition sentimental has nothing to do with it generation twos are available all over the country I have four of them I don't have over 2,300 in any of them matter of fact in all four of them I probably got less than $6,000 and they all drive and have tags on them and look respectable so you have to do some thinking and soul searching and figure out what your capabilities are The dashboard dark is a $200 fix in about an hour's worth of time or so maybe two for our first timer things like that.
     
  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    8,920
    1,553
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Do you have full blown emissions testing in your state in the county I live in in North Carolina I have no emissions two of my cars have straight pipes from the exhaust manifold to the muffler It's perfectly legal here I don't need any cat shields or any of that because there's no cat there to begin with I removed it My other two cars have cats when they get stolen or they're no longer there then pipe goes there cleans everything up and makes the underside of the car look better
     
  4. MCCOHENS

    MCCOHENS Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2019
    189
    81
    0
    Location:
    Chalfont, PA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Not sure how 2,9000765 miles works but guessing it is 290,000 or something close. With that mileage and list you are in the emotional reasons to repair not logical. Even if you bought everything to fix and did it yourself the cost would exceed the value of the car. In addition other things will be going south so keep and fox or sell then? If you have sentimental issues buy another prius in the same color and pretend. But if emotions beat spending go right ahead and drive it forever.
     
  5. Frontporch

    Frontporch Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2015
    398
    82
    0
    Location:
    Nj
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    It might be worth more than scrap because somebody that is willing to do the work themselves will find that parts are not too expensive and probably with $1000 in parts, it can be made whole again. Tires and exhaust aren't cheap. The gas tank issue concerns me. Is it the gauge or the tank bladder. I had that on one car where I couldn't fill it at gas stations. Was a pain without a simple fix.
    All things considered, if it lived its life in the suburbs and is accident free, would make a good candidate for someone keeping it on the road and, in my opinion, that would make me happy as a first owner, even if someone else was enjoying it.
     
  6. highmilesgarage

    highmilesgarage Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2022
    277
    104
    0
    Location:
    Kansas City
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    they are cheap fixes for a DIY person as long as it's not the brake actuator. If you're not into DIY having it repaired at that mileage doesn't make sense. Can't sell that car at its condition as "scrap", a "scrap" value is when it's not running. You can probably get $1-$2k out of it.