Fix or Sell 2012 264,000 Miles

Tough decision on your part, but this is the same decision everyone will make once a car is over 10 years old. The components that are failing are very common on the 3rd Gen Prius at the mileage and age. I would say if you put aside another $5000 (brake and battery cost), you should be good for a little while (for the big expensive repairs). Total you would be spending to keep the car will be around $8000.

But if you get a new hybrid, many car dealers are charging $5000 markup for just fluff. You don't get anything for it. So you can pay $5000 for fluff or put it towards your old car and keep it running a little longer, until the new car market cools

 

If you do keep and fix it, get the EGR and intake manifold cleaned out ASAP, to avoid blowing another head gasket in short order. See first two links in my signature. Dealerships are not willing/capable to do this cleaning, will $oak you with parts replacement. There's a few places 'round the States that will, and/or maybe a capable Priuschat member nearby who can help out.

 

Pretty standard for gen3 Prius. There is no doubt you will have the hybrid battery next assuming it was not otherwise changed in the last 100k miles.

The brake booster was covered by Toyota for ten years 150k miles. It is a safety issue and would be worth it just for the increased resale value.

Hopefully the headgasket job has a decent warranty. Maybe a year or better. A short 90 day warranty might sway my decision.

Your choices are fix it and then sell or fix it and be ready for another $2500 for the battery at anytime. Not repairing the brake booster may cost $5k in lost resale value.

To keep or sell? A lot depends on the condition of the rest of the car, the head gasket warranty and your willingness to pick up new car payments from $700-$1000 a month for perhaps four years. In our area new cars are available; you just have to take something that is on its way rather than pick your color, model and option.

 

That odd miracle of driving usually leads to permanent overheat engine damage.