Dead Hybrid Battery Best Options for Hawaii

Please HELP a mom with a dead 2006 Prius. My long story -----

I bought a 2006 Prius in 2013. I LOVED it. Then in 2014 I got the death triangle signal. Since I couldn't afford a Toyota OEM hybrid battery at $5K, I looked around at various chats. There were a lot of good reviews for the Dorman battery. I ordered one from Rock Auto for $2557.65 with an additional shipping cost to HI. It arrived in a big, heavy duty plastic case. I had the mechanic replace the OEM battery with the Dorman one. The mechanic said the top was bashed in. I emailed photos to Rock Auto but heard crickets. I was desparate to get my only car working again so I told the mechanic install it as is. It worked for 3 months then I got the death triangle again. I called Rock Auto and they said I would have to purchase a new one (again) for $2556.65, pay the mechanic $500 to remove the Dorman battery, find someone with a car big enough to transport it and me to FedEx or UPS to send it back, pay the $310 cost of shipping the old one back again, then I would get the core charge or $ back for just the battery. It was sooomuch money after my intial purchase. I didn't even have a chance to payoff the card with the original Dorman purchase. I was so sick and didn't have that kind of money. I begged Rock Auto for some kind of break since I was in Hawaii and the shipping such a heavy item was so much and it stopped working so soon after the installation. Crickets. I put the car in storage and shut the door in disgust and sadness.

I am now wanting to revive the dormant Prius again. I do not want to go through this kind of terrible experience again. No, I cannot afford a new car. No, I cannot afford a new Toyota OEM battery. Although the prices have gone down for people living on the mainland, in Hawaii, the prices are still very high. SInce time has passed and I know there has been advances out there regarding the hybrid batteries, can you suggest my options for replacing my dead Dorman hybrid battery? If you have specific companies that you can recommend to me for a specifc kind of product (entire new battery, rebuild, cells, etc.) I would appreciate the guidance. I would like to keep the car for a long time. Keep in mind that I am in Hawaii so I have some limitations with some of the companies sending the battery to me.

Looking forward to hearing about solutions from some of experienced Prius owners .

 

Thank you for the lead, Skibob. I will check out @2k1 Toaster. I really appreciate the heads up to change my 12v battery, fuel lines, and drain the gas tank. I forgot that sitting gas or half full gas tanks are not great for your car. Much Mahalo (Thanks)!!!!

 

Thank you SFO. I quickly checked out the recommended thread. Sounds like atp162 had similar experiences or worse. Other members had brought up a possiblity that maybe I don't live in a state where it is economically feasable to own an older Prius. I am not ready to go down that route since I really do love the car.

I will closely read the posts and the advise expecially things like cleaning the fan, etc. to make the best environment for the "new" battery to live. Much Mahalo (Thanks)!!!!!

 

Thank you for the suggestions and the words of empathy.
I checked into the Honolulu Toyota OEM replacement battery at a cost of $3059. I am thinking of getting a new battery not from Toyota. If I do, then it will be a DIY. What voltage meter, gloves, etc. would you recommend for me to purchase so I can safely remove the old battery and install the new battery?

 

Thank you for the suggestions and the words of empathy.
I checked into the Honolulu Toyota OEM replacement battery at a cost of $3059. I am thinking of getting a new battery not from Toyota. If I do, then it will be a DIY. What voltage meter, gloves, etc. would you recommend for me to purchase so I can safely remove the old battery and install the new battery?