Hybrid Battery Status, Invest More Money?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by jep4040, Mar 22, 2026 at 9:58 AM.

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  1. jep4040

    jep4040 Junior Member

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    Hi everyone,

    My 2005 gen 2 Prius (147,000 miles) needs a lot of work (around $3-4k+) like new struts, shocks, all new brakes, under body coating, etc. Engine itself seems pretty (just changed out spark plugs, clean throttle body and MAF, too.).

    My concern was pumping more money into this if the hybrid battery isnt going to last (especially at its age).

    I've included a video of my hybrid status (i dont really know whats good versus bad - hoping yall have some insight). It shows the battery trends while driving - at some points, i floor the gas and at other points i drive normal.

    Here's the video:


    Thanks guys!
     
    #1 jep4040, Mar 22, 2026 at 9:58 AM
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    People start talking about undercoating and that means they're in the rust belt? If so we don't . Unless you're all in have four or five cars can move parts quickly have places to store the others inside etc . Fuggedaboutit. played this game 20 yrs in Western mass. good luck . Hybrid batteries like tires they're called consumables. You replaced the batteries in your flashlight
     
    #2 Tombukt2, Mar 22, 2026 at 12:41 PM
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  3. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    IMO, the hybrid battery looks very good for it being 21 years old. The voltage difference looked good while you were driving. That being said, the hybrid battery could encounter problems at any time because of its age. It would be a gamble to spend thousands of dollars fixing up the car, especially if you live in the rust belt.
     
    #3 Brian1954, Mar 22, 2026 at 1:25 PM
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Depends on your financial situation, and diy abilities.
    If you can afford to move on, I would do so, and probably to a non hybrid
     
    #4 bisco, Mar 22, 2026 at 1:33 PM
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  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Out west we don't have salt on the roads and I had my Subaru undercoated once back in the early 2000's. It made the ride noticeably quieter and I like knowing the car is as clean as possible and that helped!
     
    #5 PriusCamper, Mar 22, 2026 at 5:26 PM
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  6. jep4040

    jep4040 Junior Member

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    thank you so much for the response - appreciate it
     
    #6 jep4040, Mar 22, 2026 at 6:59 PM
  7. jep4040

    jep4040 Junior Member

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    why a non-hybrid?
     
    #7 jep4040, Mar 22, 2026 at 7:00 PM
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    cheaper and easier to maintain
     
    #8 bisco, Mar 22, 2026 at 8:13 PM
  9. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    The four generation twos I've had basically same money to operate as Corollas . At least here anyway.
     
    #9 Tombukt2, Mar 22, 2026 at 9:53 PM
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    You do your own repairs, that’s important to mention when recommending old hybrids
     
    #10 bisco, Mar 23, 2026 at 1:49 PM
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  11. jep4040

    jep4040 Junior Member

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    Strut & spring replacement? Brake and threads replacement? You're talented if you can do that on your own!
     
    #11 jep4040, Mar 23, 2026 at 1:54 PM
  12. jep4040

    jep4040 Junior Member

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    What do you mean by that
     
    #12 jep4040, Mar 23, 2026 at 1:54 PM
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Not me, tombukt2
     
    #13 bisco, Mar 23, 2026 at 1:55 PM
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2026 at 9:14 PM
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  14. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    I mean that after 47 years of driving Toyota's exclusively my4vgen2 Prius have been about same cost as running my 3 Corollas. Almost dollar for a dollar actually all repairs. Very close very similar etc .
     
    #14 Tombukt2, Mar 23, 2026 at 4:22 PM
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  15. saneesh8

    saneesh8 Member

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    @jep4040 - The shocks / struts started leaking or just got too bouncy?

    I had to replace struts on 2 cars. on my bmw, the seals was broken and it was leaking oil. on the Odyssey, i replaced it because it seems like floating at highway speeds. My 2009 Prius with 158k have all original suspension parts (except control arm bushings) and feels solid at highway speeds.
     
    #15 saneesh8, Mar 24, 2026 at 2:06 PM
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