1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Need Advice About Repairs

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Justin Pany, Sep 23, 2021.

  1. Justin Pany

    Justin Pany New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2021
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I have a 2005 prius with 180,000 miles. The car needs repairs to the water pump (failing), the brakes, and ac unit. The dealership said this would cost around $1450. There are also some other things that will need to be fixed soon along with getting a new electric battery sometime because mine was recharged and estimated to last until around this time. I am trying to decide if it is worth it to get these things fixed even though it will be expensive or more worth it to purchase an entire new prius. The other Prius I am looking at is a 2011 prius with 110,000 miles for $9,000. I am assuming this new prius will also need am electric battery replacement soon as well but I am not 100% sure. The trouble I am having is that I feel like if the 2005 prius will last a long time after these replacements it will be more worth to just get these repaired because eventually these same problems will occur in the 2011. Please if someone could give me advice it would be greatly appreciated as I don't want to spend $9,000 just to have these same issues in 70,000 miles or sooner. Pretty much will the 2005 prius after repairs last longer than the 2011 will before I need these same repairs. If the 2005 will go more miles after everything is repaired then it seems to make more sense to keep that one. Thanks for any advice or help.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,796
    48,995
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    the 05 may be a better bet than the 11, due to the head gasketproblem on gen 3.

    it's a tough call, especially when you have to pay a dealership, but i'm inclined to stick with gen2.

    both are going to have ongoing expenses
     
    dig4dirt likes this.
  3. dig4dirt

    dig4dirt MoonGlow

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2012
    1,150
    741
    0
    Location:
    Lancaster Co PA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    @bisco summed it up pretty good for ya.

    I will just say that any car can have unexpected repairs at any given time.
    Not sure how long you owned your 2005 and how well you know it.

    But you can perhaps have better luck using the $9k for on going costs vrs buying the 2011 w/o knowing the history, etc.
    Even if you were planning on taking a loan with monthly payment, just put that payment into savings for the 2005
     
  4. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2021
    1,324
    724
    0
    Location:
    SacTown, Ca
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    LE
    IMHO, I'd bite the bullet and fix the old Prius. Find a Prius specialist shop in your area - NOT the dealer; they'll get you better pricing. Especially when it comes to the rebuild or replacement of the battery pack. That battery pack has been cooking in the Arizona sun, so I'm pretty sure you've got a few questionable cells in your pack.
    In today's market, with all the shortages; new and used car prices will be sky high for at least two years.