Burning 1 quart of oil every 1,000 miles

1) is probably impossible to determine.

2) best option is salvage and a good mechanic.

give luscious garage a call.

 

Best option is to verify that you're really burning 1q/1000 miles.

No insult intended if you've done the measurements yourself, but there are an amazing number of people who take their mechanic's word for this.

I would club-up to 10w30 and start looking for a donor engine after verifying the burn rate.
I'm not an expert, but 1q/1000 miles is probably enough to start worrying about plugs and emissions.
You can probably get a decent donor motor for about 800 bucks and if you're not comfortable installing it yourself, you'll have some time to gather quotes from some Prius mechanics in your area.
If California starts sniff-testing Priuses soon (as well they should) then you should probably not delay in getting the motor replaced.
You're probably going to be "encouraged" to use a new catalytic converter if yours gets clogged arteries from its oily diet, and you live where there's smog, so it's probably better to burn less oil from an environmental standpoint.

Consumer Reports suggests that repairs up to the real-world value of your car is a wise investment, while Clark Howard probably goes with something like 50-percent.
I tend to agree with Clark, but either way you're probably looking at something like $2k for a car that's almost certainly worth more than 4.


Good Luck!

 

You're welcome.
Start adding 10w30 just to see if the thicker oil will have any effect. It might get you to 1200 while you're engine shopping.
And....it's not like it's going to hurt your motor!

Best of luck!