What would you do? Totaled but (maybe) fixable Gen 2

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Pheasanton, Apr 23, 2026 at 11:29 AM.

  1. Pheasanton

    Pheasanton Junior Member

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    An upstanding citizen hit my parked Gen 2 and did not leave a note. The back window glass, spoiler and liftgate release, and various bits of plastic around them are destroyed (lights still work).

    In retrospect, I shouldn't have gone through insurance and should have just gotten the critical stuff fixed myself - lesson learned.

    But I did go through insurance and they have declared it a total loss based on the shop's estimate of about $4k to fix it. If I take a buyout and keep the car, I'll get a check for $4200. Deductible is $500, so $3700 in my pocket before paying for repairs.

    It seems like it would be easiest to buy an entire scrapyard liftgate and have a shop install it for me. (Zero skills here - I can't do it.) But I'm in Pennsylvania and I understand that a salvage vehicle can't be driven and has to be towed to the shop and again to the "enhanced inspection" which requires, among other things, that the reconstructed car have a uniform color. So it'll be harder to find the right hatch, $$ for towing, and a general PITA.

    The car is in pretty good shape for 160k miles and recently passed inspection. It took months to find a good condition Gen 2 and I'm dreading the thought of having to do that again.

    What would you do?
     
    #1 Pheasanton, Apr 23, 2026 at 11:29 AM
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  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If the hatch is the only thing that needs replacement, that should be an easy find on the used market. In CA, I have friends that can't sell this part, since there is not much demand for it, can be had for $200 or less. The front end parts are the harder parts to find.

    Since it took you a long time to find a good gen 2, and yours only has 160k miles. I would fix it.
     
    #2 JC91006, Apr 23, 2026 at 11:55 AM
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  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    I have everything right here on the property to fix that car in one afternoon generally 8.make sure of it. I'm getting a lil low on some stuff now . Another coming any minute . Anyone know anybody that wants an Aprilia S500 for near free in like new condition?
     
    #3 Tombukt2, Apr 23, 2026 at 1:47 PM
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  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    If I were you, I'd plan a trip down to Durham and have @Tombukt2 do it for you... Or just have a friend or family member with more skills assist you. Swapping out the rear hatch door is as easy as unscrewing 4 bolts and unplugging a wiring harness. It's a very easy job.
     
    #4 PriusCamper, Apr 23, 2026 at 3:08 PM
  5. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Yeah I changed my whole hatch to avoid putting a glass in. zPA is a haul
     
    #5 Tombukt2, Apr 23, 2026 at 3:10 PM
  6. Pheasanton

    Pheasanton Junior Member

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    Thanks for this. The shop has come back to add that the rear antenna (part no. 8999747010) and a piece of the rear trim (6471647010B0) also need replacing. I wouldn't worry about the trim except that PA won't pass a rebuilt car unless it's back to factory standard. Would that change your math at all or would you still say go for it?

    (wish I could get to NC but it's a bit of a hike!)
     
    #6 Pheasanton, Apr 24, 2026 at 10:12 AM
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    so it was going to cost you $300 net, and now what?
    is the car great otherwise? 160k is low mileage, and if it doesn't burn oil and there's no rust, I'd be willing to put in a few grande.
    plan on battery replacement in the near future if it hasn't been done
     
    #7 bisco, Apr 24, 2026 at 1:42 PM
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  8. Pheasanton

    Pheasanton Junior Member

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    Appreciate that, thank you.
     
    #8 Pheasanton, Apr 24, 2026 at 1:55 PM
  9. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    For a 4K estimated fix; I'm pretty sure it's a little bit more "bent" than just a rear hatch - unless all body shops out there are crooks. Seems to me that the body shop would've gave you a used replacement option and waived your deductible. That's what they do around here with a cheap car that someone wants to keep and fix. They even match the paint; so you avoid the salvage title brand on your pink slip. But all that's out the window, since the insurance company paid out and branded the car title.

    Just my two cents.....
     
    #9 BiomedO1, Apr 24, 2026 at 3:36 PM
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