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Prius value

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by CVX20, Nov 24, 2022.

  1. CVX20

    CVX20 New Member

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    Hi Boys and girls.Just joined and have a question.I know it depends on a million things and I'm not sure of the model even.2012 belongs to my BIL here in the salt belt of Canada.I haven't seen it myself as it's about an hour from me but he has been told it's rotted under the back of the car to the point it shouldn't be driven.Car has 130 k klm's on it and still looks good otherwise.Other than parting this car out is there any real value to it anymore.I realize this question is very subjective but he's asked me to see if there's any value to it.In his 80's and doesn't do the computer thing.Thanks
     
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  2. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    Without seeing it and based on the "rotted under the back of the car to the point it shouldn't be driven", my guess would be to part it out. This is without pictures. But if it is rotted out, chances are the suspension, brakes and bottom of the car is suffering from severe rust.
     
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  3. CVX20

    CVX20 New Member

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    Yeah having not seen the bottom myself I would agree.I realize that the batteries are 10 or 11 years old as well.Parting it out is not an option but a ball park value for selling the complete unit as a parts car would be great.
     
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i would have a good shop take a look at it before parting it out. it's probably worth 10k if it can be repaired.

    gen 3 parts aren't in much demand because it is toyotas most poorly byilt vehicle.

    and the only good part of it is the battery, which rarely fails
     
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  5. StarCaller

    StarCaller Senior Member

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    just wondering what makes you say that?
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    pistons/rings, egr valve setup, head gasket, inverter and brake actuator. all prone to early failure by toyota standards, and expensive repairs.
     
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  7. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    I better watchout. I only have 286,600 miles on mine. So my original head gasket, inverter,
    brake actuator, master cylinder may not make it. I burn a whole quart of oil in about 7500 miles.

    What will I do???:(:(:eek::eek:(n):unsure::whistle:
     
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    consider yourself one of the fortunate
     
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  9. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    One of many. But it is not luck.
     
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you should post your secrets so others may avoid catastophe
     
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  11. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    No secrets. Just maintain it. Drive it like a PRIUS not a Formula 1 car.
    Very simple
     
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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    okay, thanks :)
     
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  13. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    I chuckle when new members posts here saying they’ve done researched and found this vehicle reliable and even bullet proof so they want to buy one. Or this is the most reliable vehicle I’ve ever owned. And then I see this post, bam!
     
  14. CVX20

    CVX20 New Member

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    I asked the BIL about taking it to a good welder and repairing it.He said he saw how bad it was and there's no repairing it.He's a very smart individual and has always looked after his vehicles so I believe him.Up until this Prius he always used rustproofing but the Dealer specifically told him not to on this one.I was a Tech at Toyota when the Prius came out and always preached Honda before that but I've always said after working there that Toyota was a better vehicle.That is until I heard this from the BIL.
     
  15. CVX20

    CVX20 New Member

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    Easy guys!Wasn't trying to start a war on how good or bad these are.
     
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  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it is certainly very unusual. prius get a lot of superficial rust, but we don't hear of many taken off the road.
     
  17. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    Rust is EVERYWHERE if the trunk is falling thru. The car is a total loss of course. Presume it unsafe
     
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Have a look at the rear trailing links. They’re the arms that connect at wheel hub, run forward maybe 18~24” to a link. Check that whole area, very rust prone. Also just inboard of rear scissor jack points. Front suspension zone not much better. Also at the front there’s a quite low high volt cable to transaxle with wire mesh, probable a rust lump.
     
  19. tonycd

    tonycd Member

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    I'm sorry, but this post is utterly ridiculous and a textbook example of what happens when like-minded people talk only to each other in an Internet echo chamber. Objective repair-frequency data from Consumer Reports, Dashboard_Light, and TrueDelta all confirm that Gen 3 Prius is one of the most trouble-free cars of its generation, even as it ages.

    Am I saying these components never fail? Of course not; no machine is immortal. Am I saying that nearly all of them are MORE reliable and durable than the typical car? Damn right I am, and unlike this other poster, I've just cited three neutral sources to prove it.
     
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  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    How many miles on yours?
     
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