Prius Repairs, expense, and "environmentally friendly" discrepancy

This discussion is nonsense. The recycling program dates back to the beginning of Prius production. replacing a Prius battery is about $3400 if you do it at a dealer, but there are less expensive options. A greenie like you should have considered recycling a low mileage battery salvaged from a wrecked Prius (less than $1000). Please don't publish inaccurate information.

JeffD

 

A little bad luck there as the combination meter is indeed a Gen2 issue with a special 9 year warranty. I'm getting close too.

 

@Pria2005,

In a matter of seconds, Mr. Google reveals that the bulk of what you just posted here is a copy/paste from:

Roos, Dave. "Does hybrid car production waste offset hybrid benefits?" 06 December 2010. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/everyday-myths/does-hybrid-car-production-waste-offset-hybrid-benefits.htm> 11 March 2015.

Why is that? Are you Dave Roos? Did it just seem like some purpose would be served by recycling Dave Roos's five year old article on PriusChat without attribution? Did you check how well-accepted are the claims in Roos's article before reposting it here? What was your purpose in doing so?

I guess the impetus may have been in your other post where something seems to be up with your instrument cluster and brakes. I'm sure the PriusChat community would be interested in details of that (codes, diagnosis by the dealer, how they arrived at it, etc.) and how to help you with the situation. But it only muddies up the issue when it's this hard to tease out what you're saying yourself from the copied parts of somebody else's old article.

Have you had a chance to see the reliability findings in the current issue of Consumer Reports? It's unfortunate that your own car has had maintenance costs that are statistical outliers, but in statistics that has to happen to someone, and still doesn't seem to dislodge the Prius from its very distinguished reliability record.

-Chap

 

Good catch Chap.
Well see my recent post "Consumer Reports 2015 Autos" the older Gen2 Prii, while still considered excellent reliability overall, do show some lower ratings in the Electrical reliability sub-category

 

... yes, which still don't stop it from having the overall-summary row filled with full-red-best circles straight across the year columns, a distinction it shares with only four other car models in the whole chart: three Lexus models (thanks, Toyota!) and the Honda Fit.

-Chap

 

If you are that worried about your carbon footprint, skateboardsm bicycles, or even a horse are probably better options. Autos have really come a long way. Never own a powerboat.

 

Ok, but wouldn't it be more usual then to say something like "Hey guys, I don't have enough posts to make a link but I saw this article by Dave Roos over at howstuffworks where he said ... and it got me thinking ..." instead of just trying to whip two scoops of his words and one scoop of yours into some unidentifiable meringue?

-Chap

 

Hold the front page - ageing car in breakdown shocker!!!

If you dont ljke big bills then stick to new cars with warranty. Used cars are a gamble, thats why they cost less. The odds with a used Pious are excellent, but not guaranteed. The bulk of used Prius owners do well, but its inevitable that not 100% of used Prii will not be fault free forever.

You gambled, you lost, MTFU and move on.

 

haven't seen one of these threads in a while. good education for the o/p though, if he's interested.

 

One person's car repair experience says very, very little about the environmental advantages of the Toyota Prius.
Now, a little fact checking:

1. The 12v does not cost $450, or anywhere close. Current dealer pricing is about $2 USD/month when the warranty is considered.
2. The traction battery is anywhere from $1900 - $3000, depending on who installs and where it is bought
3. The recycling program exists from the beginning of Prius, and no data of CO2 footprint has been published but every other case of nickel recycling is considered a good thing so I see no reason to think the Toyota program is different.
4. A new traction battery adds 50-100% additional life to a Prius. Find that deal in a conventional car.
5. OP is confusing TCO with environmental considerations. A new combo meter and brake actuator is not going to move the needle in lifetime CO2 emissions. Overall the Prius TCO is brilliant; IIRC it shares the top position with the Honda Fit.
6. There are no sulfur compound emissions from production of NiMH batteries. That distinction belongs to standard lead batteries.

OP: Sorry to hear about your bad luck regarding the brake actuator. However, your attempt to paint that failure as a Toyota conspiracy of planned early obsolescence is at best sorely misinformed. It is a rare failure.

A suggestion: rather than throw out nonsense, ask for help in repairing the car cheaply. Perhaps you have not yet antagonized everybody.

 

Your car has lasted 150,000 years and you're complaining about it finally needing a few repairs! Shesh

 

Right up there with those who complain about having to replace a $50 part and saying they would never buy a Toyota again.

Anyways, can you DIY brake actuator replacement job on a Gen 2 Prius?

 

Brake actuator replacement in pictures | PriusChat

Does not look so complicated to me, but you may have to own and use a techstream in order to re-pressurize the system. Take my opinion for what it is worth, which is quite a bit less than a grain of salt.

 

What if he's a she?

Is 'Pria' a masculine or feminine noun?
(I already think I know about "Prius"..... )

 

we no longer use her/his, man/woman, he/she. please don't try to determine my baby's future with your labels.

 

Best to be non-judgemental and just say 'it.'