Options for a wrecked '09 Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by frederw1701, May 20, 2026 at 6:12 PM.

  1. frederw1701

    frederw1701 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2024
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    Location:
    WA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Maybe too soon to ask because the insurance company hasn't decided whether to total it. But $2500 to replace bent struts and $2400 to repair the latest collision, not looking good for a 2009 with 168K+ miles.
    Option 1: the simple one, insurance pays out and takes it to shred.
    Option 2: insurance pays a bit less and we keep it with a salvage title. The interesting thing here is the hybrid battery has only 22,000 miles on it and a diagnostic report on it shows balanced cells.
    Option 3: we pay more than the car is worth, and then we have a well maintained Prius to drive.

    What else?

    What are good questions to ask myself before deciding? Another wrinkle is that an international move is likely and it would be sold this year anyway. If I were doing my usual thing of keeping cars forever, the calculations would be different.
     
  2. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2010
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    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
  3. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
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    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Be done with it soon as international move is confirmed... If you post photos maybe some of us who also live in WA would be interested in it?