I would appreciate some advice on whether to repair or total the Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by tails833, Oct 5, 2020.

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  1. tails833

    tails833 New Member

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    PXL_20201004_045519994.jpg PXL_20201004_045526005.MP.jpg PXL_20201004_045530134.jpg PXL_20201004_045533771.jpg PXL_20201004_045543196.jpg PXL_20201005_204852951.jpg PXL_20201005_204856306.jpg PXL_20201005_204858451.jpg PXL_20201005_204906372.jpg PXL_20201005_204910025.jpg PXL_20201005_204913267.jpg PXL_20201005_204915851.jpg Hi guys. Long time reader, first time poster. What appears to be minor damage from a low-energy impact, is in fact significant, with frame damage, cracked intake, windshield crack in corner, radiator crack, radiator fan crack, and potentially other issues. The Toyota dealer clearly explained that the frame requires repairs before they could even diagnose other issues. Apparently there was almost no damage to the rear of the the other car.

    I'm not dealing with insurance because I only have liability and comprehensive, not collision. Best case scenario is at least $4000 on a 2010 Prius III with 137k miles, that I purchased last year for $6500. I think the best course of action is to use the $4000 plus any proceeds from whole-sold-as-parts car to purchase a another car.

    Any advice would be appreciated, especially from those who've experienced similar collisions.
     
    #1 tails833, Oct 5, 2020
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2020
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    agree, time to move on. perhaps a non hybrid?
     
    #2 bisco, Oct 5, 2020
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  3. Solar Blue

    Solar Blue Member

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    You'll probably get $500 to $1000 for it as is. Put that with the $4000 and move on.
    It would make a great down payment on a Prime!
     
    #3 Solar Blue, Oct 6, 2020
  4. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Frame is the overall structural integrity of all cars. If it's bend or broken, your chances of surviving an accident is decreased that's why Toyota insist the frame work be taken care of first. Walking away from an accident is much more important than saving a few grand.
     
    #4 Grit, Oct 6, 2020
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  5. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    If your only option is a Prius dealership, then you need to cut bait.
    You're in over your head.

    @ "low energy impact":
    Did the air bags deploy?
    Do the front doors open and close freely?
    Fluids leaking?

    Frame damage?
    On a unit-body construction car?
    Uh-huh....

    I'd need more details and I get paid to fix phone instead of cars but I see mostly cosmetic damage.....
     
    #5 ETC(SS), Oct 6, 2020
  6. tails833

    tails833 New Member

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    Thanks for the replies.

    The frame damage is of course to the front cross-member, and whatever it attaches to on the left side near the fender is also bent.

    I went to the dealer due to the complicated hybrid system, but I am well aware of how expensive they are. A recent emissions EGR control valve replacement and associated repairs were $1,300.
    Low-energy as in I backed into a CRV while following too closely during rain and due to sudden red light.
    No fluids leaking.
    Airbags did not deploy.
    In the least, the driver's door opens and shuts fine.
    I would part it out myself but that is impossible since I park outside and don't have a garage.
     
    #6 tails833, Oct 6, 2020
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Tough one
     
    #7 bisco, Oct 6, 2020
  8. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    I've bought insurance auction vehicles with less damage. $4k for repairs is very optimistic considering it still needs more investigating. Move on.

    GOOD LUCK!
     
    #8 fotomoto, Oct 6, 2020
  9. tails833

    tails833 New Member

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    There was some interest from buyers, and I did end up selling it for $1000 to someone who is going to fix it up at home.
     
    #9 tails833, Oct 6, 2020
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  10. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Hybrids are only expensive to maintain and repair if you take them to a dealership.
    We're not talking about emerging technology here....that EGR valve you spent $1300 on could have been repaired yourself for the cost of a can of Easy Off oven cleaner and $25 worth of Harbor Freight tools.
    Most independent shops could have fixed that problem for less than $500.

    However (comma!) all of that is in the rear-view mirror now, and if you have an eleven year old G3 that recently needed an EGRectomy then you MAY have bigger problems on the horizon with this car than needing $1000 or so worth of panels and paint.
    Dump the car and get a newer non-hybrid or in your case maybe an older pickup truck with metal bumpers.
    I don't live anywhere near Chicagoland but if I did there is NO WAY that I would drive a car that could be totaled out by a <15mph collision with another car.
    If this is your first accident in 10 years, and if you think you can go another few years without swapping paint with your fellow drivers, then you may want to also re-think your insurance strategery.

    Good Luck!
     
    #10 ETC(SS), Oct 7, 2020
  11. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    I've notice that more collisions occur now between vehicles of vastly different heights ("normal" vehicles vs ginormous trucks/suv's) so the bumper bars are often below the impact zone thus totally ineffective.
     
    #11 fotomoto, Oct 7, 2020
  12. tails833

    tails833 New Member

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    I have wrenched on my existing 1999 Camry, including swapping quick struts over three days one summer in the condo parking lot, patching exhaust holes in the dead of winter, and unsuccessfully replacing the brake system at my office garage. I'm not in a position to work on cars outside in Chicago's varied weather, especially one that I need to drive to work.

    I did research cleaning the EGR, but again, how many would actually do that, after being told by the dealer that they don't clean those themselves?

    I don't think it's too surprising that older cars would be totalled out in cases where components are tightly packed and resulting in a cascade of damage, as well as $100+ hourly labor rates. To be fair, had my Camry been in the same accident, just the extra foot in length may have had an even more serious result, so the shorter Prius with closely spaced components is itself somewhat of a safety feature.

    I'm grateful that no one was injured, that ultimately the Prius was older and of lower value, and that I have another junker to get me by.
     
    #12 tails833, Oct 7, 2020
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2020
  13. 2GenPrius

    2GenPrius Member

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    I've certified by I-CAR for collision repair. From the looks of the photo, core support is folded in and the impact of where the front hood is sitting now tells me that the front shoulders are possible bent as well.

    Core support=maybe ok to cut out and weld in a new one. Shoulders gone? Total loss and salvage territory. As mentioned, a competent bodyman with metal/frame YEARS of experience can pull it off, but those are far and inbetween. Got to many bondo and rattlecan folks out there.

    Best of luck on a new ride!
     
    #13 2GenPrius, Oct 7, 2020
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