Confirmed 2005 HV Battery replacement New York

Hi All,

Thanks so much to this incredible community! I am new, know of the legend of Priuschat.

I have a 2005 Prius (147k) that I took to Toyota to confirm that I do indeed need a replacement HV battery.
Here’s what I know I can do:
1)Remove and rebalance and refurb the battery myself
2)Buy a battery on eBay
3)Potentially drive 1-2hrs and a company for for $1500 will replace it for me, I don’t know if I get my battery back.

I’m looking to sell this Prius and get a gen 3, so in theory I’m not looking for the best solution but one that’s “cheap”. I don’t feel like I should have to sell the car with a 1 year power half assed battery to someone else.

Here are my confusions/questions:
1)Where should I source a hv battery and is there anything I can ask or verify as to what work they did or the vitality of that battery? (I know there are half a$$ quick fix things you can do to refurb the battery and there’s a more complete balanced and replaced modules battery refurb)

2)Any help or suggestions as to where I could get or have the entire hv battery swap in New York/The north east?

3)Has anyone ever used a mechanic solely to swap the HV battery for you and you sourced the battery itself?

4)Anything else I might want to know, try, do to simply take this 2005 Prius into a clean legal sale?
5)Any tips or advice on buying a gen 3 Prius in NY/North East? I know auctions exist, but I also know there are a lot of elderly ppl near me who can’t all be taking a used Prius to the grave (no disrespect). It seems like I’d be a great buyer of a Prius from someone who no longer needs it, no clue how to find those ppl.

Thanks so much, if I left anything out just let me know. I literally have been trying to upgrade my Prius and last week out of the blue red light of death came to me… The sweet release of death…