We're replacing the A/C compressor on a 2009 Toyota Prius Touring. Everything on it has been maintained at the dealer and I always make it a point to buy parts for our dealership that are high quality. However this is also a 17 year old. So we can't opt for the high-dollar Toyota factory unit. Or maybe we can? These are a few thoughts I have on where the sweet spot may be... 1) Find the highest rated one on Amazon which includes the harness. Apparently removing one from an older unit and attaching it is a huge pain. 2) Go on Ebay or Rockauto for the same type of unit. 3) Everything else I'm pretty much having my doubts on. You can't easily find a low-mileage or recently replaced unit without doing a lot of searching. A junkyard unit would need to not have a front end accident AND a recently replaced unit. Car-part.com isn't showing many of those. There has to be some type of value opportunity with this. The vehicle has been serviced at the dealer since day one and I would like to see the next owner enjoy it for another 7 to 10 years. Any success stories or experience handling this would be welcome.
Not a good idea to install a used compressor. Too many "ifs" to deal with and risk going thru the hassle (AND expense) of a redo if the used part quits. I've used many a compressor from RockAuto over the years without a problem and the price is way more reasonable than the dealer part,; just make sure you have the right model replacement unit and follow proper installation procedures. Good luck!
I bought an ebay recon compressor for approx, works perfectly. Tip - new condensor is worth it on 10+ yo cars. Not an AC guy - just my experience.
Toyota has a remanufacturing program of their own. It's not very big, only deals in certain popular parts, and even if they do rebuild the part you're looking for, there won't necessarily be one in stock when you want. But it never hurts to check.
The Toyota part no is 88370-47010? I've used these guys several times. https://www.amayama.com/en/part/toyota/8837047010 I'm on West Coast Canada, see this: In past, with purchases in the $100 CDN range, shipping was the only extra, no additional duty or taxes. There might be a ceiling beyond which they're obligated to add such, or the current trade wars may also have changed that. Speaking of "war", UAE is currently caught up in the mid-east skirmish.
In the US, in the past, that was how it worked as long as your value was below a "de minimis" ceiling value. That "de minimis" category in the US was eliminated last year, so that now any direct foreign purchase, such as from Amayama, requires you to assume all the responsibilities of an importer, including clearing your purchase through customs and paying the applicable tariffs / duties. Those will be in addition to the total price with shipping that Amayama showed you. (In practice, for most people, the shipping company, like FedEx, will take care of that stuff for you as your "customs broker", so all you have to do is pay the extra fees that appear on your bill for the shipping, to cover acting as your broker and, of course, whatever actual amounts they had to pay.) That was discussed earlier, in ➡this thread⬅. You should read Amayama's policy statement carefully: they're not responsible for whatever you need to do and pay to get the merchandise across your country's border, and if you run into any problem doing or paying that, you don't get the merchandise and you don't get your money back.
