flood cars... to buy or not to buy

Mm hmm, the kind of "clean title" you have when no one "happened" to report the car as trashed by a flood?

At least, see if you can search up the document T-SB-0229-12 (or download it from techinfo.toyota.com); it is exactly about evaluating Toyotas after flooding, and will give you an idea what you're looking for and what you're getting into.

Good luck.

-Chap

 

i think so. if you have the tools and the smarts, there's a lot of money to be made.

 

I suppose the only way I would make the recommendation to buy an obviously discounted "flood vehicle" would be if you are willing or actually want to deal with the project it could become.
Some people relish and enjoy the challenge of restoring something to viability.

But if you just want a vehicle? Just to drive and own? I wouldn't roll those dice.
Those vehicles are 1/2 price or more...for a reason or reasons.

 

At those prices, you could just part them out and make pretty big money.

 

everything above the waterline is free game!

 

The 2016 is only useful for parts. If it is Trim Two it needs a NiMH battery similar to Gen 3 but the other battery pack parts are likely missing. It would not have any of the safety features. Otherwise it needs a Li-Ion battery and the remaining battery pack parts. It is unlikely a PiP pack would work.

 

how unlikely?

 

For Gen 2 to 3 the modules would work on the older Gen pack but I thought there were differences in the other parts of the pack. We know Gen 4 NiMH modules work in a Gen 2 pack. I assume Toyota has again improved the pack.

 

I assume there are ways to inspect and determine what value still exists in a flood car. As long as you are sure what you are getting, I can see the possibilities.

 

If you can pull the upholstery away from car chassis, sills up with brown lining then prepare for electrical problems in the future like corroded connections and other places you can't get to. If that's the case then, if I'm parting out parts non-electrical for repurpose then I'd go for it but at an incredibly low price. If in that condition and to repurpose the car, I'd shop else where.

 

Here is an expert's answer (Todd from Tampa Hybrids)

No, it will not work. Only put the same type of battery that originally came in the car.

Gen 4 cells in a Gen 2 | Page 2 | PriusChat