Should I Buy an Already Converted PHEV?

1) The Toyota warranty is not voided by putting in an aftermarket PHEV conversion.

 

Concur.
Answer to your original question would depend on the asking price, and why the seller is looking at a blinking "change owner" light.

 

I'm not so sure about that.
Show-up to the dealer's servicenter and see their reaction with a problem that may involve a car electrical problem.
I went through the experience more than once to 4 different Toyota servicenters.

 

My local Toyota DEALER installs Hymotion systems. So it is not an issue here in Madison, WI

 

U are lucky; Your dealer is one of the few shining stars in between many, many thousand around the grounds of the USA with the I don't care attitude.
I found that self servicing avoid me many headaches and peace of mind.

 

I have an '08 with the Hymotion kit. So far, no problems with the Prius or the Hymotion except for a couple of times when it was really cold and for whatever reason the Hymotion battery didn't charge. Unplugging it and plugging it back in fixed that.

I'll repeat what was already said in that the Hymotion kit does not necessarily void the Toyota warranty according to A123. However, if I ever had a problem with my car, I'd either try to fix it myself or take it to a Toyota dealer that does Hymotion installs to avoid the hassle of dealing with a dealer who doesn't have a clue about the Hymotion system and will likely give you trouble.

Out of curiosity, what is he asking for the car and where is it for sale? You don't see to many Hymotion Prius for sale. You can private message me if you don't want someone else to "steal" the car away from you

 

I had the Hymotion conversion installed a year ago and have been very happy with it. It was installed by an independent shop, the only one in Coloraodo, and they have been great, so I feel good about having a place to service it.

The one disappointment has been the tax break that Colorado has for the conversion. Colorado has a generous tax credit which made the conversion possible for me, and they denied me the credit. I appealed and still have not received my tax return. So, if you get a reasonable price for the converted Prius you're considering, having the other guy take the initial hit on installation, I'd say go for it. Fantastic mileage has made it worth it for me.

 

I had a problem with my system where DC/DC converter in the aftermarket battery failed. When it failed, it produced a fault code that was not recognized by the Scangauge II and therefore could not be reset. The code would not let the car start again, so I had it towed to the dealer. You can’t imagine the amount of aggravation the service department put me through when they found the aftermarket battery in the car. The number of phone calls was unbelievable. I got so upset that I finally asked them whether the car belonged to me or to them. I eventually got them to just reset the code through the OBD2 plug with their fault code reader. After code reset, I was able to drive the car away. That was in November after buying a Camry hybrid and a Prius hybrid from them in the past 2 years. Needless to say, that is the last time that particular Toyota dealership will ever see me or my two cars again.

 

I believe that you can buy a Toyota extended warranty as long as the original warranty (36 months, 36,000 miles) is still in effect. There is someone on this site that sells them (check the Prius Shop) and he apparently has a good reputation and can answer your questions.

 

Toyota extended warranties are a great buy but only if you use them in withing the narrow time left.
I expend $900.00 for an utility that I never used.