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A friend's Prius just had the battery go bad

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by mozdzen, Nov 17, 2015.

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  1. mozdzen

    mozdzen Active Member

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    $3000 to replace a hybrid battery on a 2007 model. 150K miles. AAA refurb for $3000 or one from the dealer for $3000. I would have thought that a cheaper version could have been found somewhere. Looks like his car died about 3 months too soon as the Gen IV is not quite out yet.

    Anyone have any words of wisdom here?
     
    #1 mozdzen, Nov 17, 2015
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The price of $3000 for a new battery at the dealer seems awfully cheap. The battery should be around $2700 plus labor costs and tax.

    I would try and call Toyota corporate for assistance. They seem to be in a very giving mood and have helped quite a few members here.

    Whatever you do, don't buy a refurbished battery for $3000. Heck, I have a new battery for you if you're interested.
     
    #2 JC91006, Nov 17, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2015
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  3. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    See our thread on goodwill assistance from Toyota...
    HV Battery Goodwill Warranty Listing - Toyota Prius USA | PriusChat

    really recommend new Toyota batt if you can swing it.

    Wow its really the 2007's turn now. Next year this time I guess the 2008's. Wish I knew what Toyota knows about batt life. Seems like some go bad in a wave of posts, but if yours is a good one maybe it keeps going,
     
    #3 wjtracy, Nov 17, 2015
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    never heard of the aaa refurb, can you tell us anymore?
     
    #4 bisco, Nov 17, 2015
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Capture.JPG

    Sorry, don't mean to make light of OP's question, just couldn't resist.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Nov 17, 2015
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  6. mozdzen

    mozdzen Active Member

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    I'll try to find out more, but it sounded like the dealer's battery was new and the AAA battery was a refurb, but dealer's might have been 2nd hand too - I'll probe and find out more. We were just talking about how the battery was such a main concern when the Priuses were beginning to get into the spotlight with Gen II, but that the failure rate is so low today that you don't hear that discussion much. Guess we jinxed that.

    On that same note, probably not that many Prius cars sitting in the junk yard waiting for someone to harvest their parts.
     
    #6 mozdzen, Nov 17, 2015
  7. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    #7 JimboPalmer, Nov 17, 2015
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there are plenty of alternatives, but none with wisdom. dealers only install new, and it's the best way to go. you can buy one as low as $2,000., if diy is a possibility. should it all prove to be too much, might be time for new wheels.
     
    #8 bisco, Nov 17, 2015
  9. mozdzen

    mozdzen Active Member

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    I'm pretty sure he is thinking new wheels. Too bad it didn't croak 3 months from now. Moral of story: running your Gen IIs into the ground until they die might not be a good idea. Kelly Blue book for 150K miles on a 2006 gets you $4400 selling to a private party. Instead of buying a $3000 battery, keep the old car for parts and buy the used one? Just doesn't make any sense (or cents). Yep - new car is in order.
     
    #9 mozdzen, Nov 17, 2015
  10. Tinao1976

    Tinao1976 New Member

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    I called my local Toyota dealer in April to replace the battery on my 2006 Prius and it was $3700 so the price your friend is getting doesn't sound too bad.
     
    #10 Tinao1976, Nov 17, 2015
  11. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    I was pretty impressed with the price. Dealers around here have charged up to $5,300!!!!
    They usually upcharge for new computers, etc.
     
    #11 ericbecky, Nov 17, 2015
  12. mozdzen

    mozdzen Active Member

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    Did you go with it, or do the new car thing?
     
    #12 mozdzen, Nov 17, 2015
  13. Tinao1976

    Tinao1976 New Member

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    Sadly I went with someone that a friend from the dealer recommended it lasted me about 5 months before I ran into problems.
     
    #13 Tinao1976, Nov 17, 2015
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    your friend should try to make a deal for a short term lease and 2016 purchase.
     
    #14 bisco, Nov 17, 2015
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  15. mozdzen

    mozdzen Active Member

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    Hey - thanks for all of your useful suggestions and offers of help. He decided just to be done with it and got a 2015 on Thursday. I haven't seen it yet and am curious as to the differences between a 2010 and a 2015 Gen III.
     
    #15 mozdzen, Nov 21, 2015
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  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I just happened to cobble together this picture last night, two front corner views. 2010 is on the top, and 2015 below:

    2010 vs 2015.jpg
     
    #16 Mendel Leisk, Nov 21, 2015
  17. sillylilwabbit

    sillylilwabbit Active Member

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    Why does the lower lights on the bumper look different? Did Toyota make running changes? 2010 looks more square and 2015 looks more triangular.

    Black under intake portion is much larger? Looks more aerodynamic. I just looked at the 2012 PIp and notice it is the same as the 2015 prius.

    I assume this change happened in 2012?

    The rims I can see are different.


    iPhone ?
     
    #17 sillylilwabbit, Nov 21, 2015
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    To me the 2010 looks closer to second gen. And a softer, friendlier look. The 2015 is more aggressive looking, sadly a trend Toyota is adopting in all their cars.

    Yes the fog lights are different. I believe just the wheel covers are modified, except that the rims were switched from silver to gloss black. Maybe Toyota noticed folks pulling off their wheel covers, so are trying to make the bare rim look even more utilitarian? My 2 cents, a tug-of-war is not a good way to keep customers.
     
    #18 Mendel Leisk, Nov 21, 2015
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the 2012 pip doesn't have the fish mouth, does it? nowi gotta go look.:rolleyes:
     
    #19 bisco, Nov 21, 2015
  20. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    ..well they got you hook, line, and sinker, right?
     
    #20 wjtracy, Nov 21, 2015
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