Rusted 2006 Prius Frame options?

I would contact Steve at Prius hybrids sales and service Scottsburg Indiana as he rebuilds Gen2 Prii for sale (Usually as salvaged).

JeffD

 

Is the rust so bad as to impact the drivability or just esthetically unappealing?

The prices of used Prius’s that run well is currently very high. If the gas mileage is still in the forties then just keep the car nursing along.

Replacing it would cost $5k minimum. And even then you have risk the car will be another dog. That seems to be out of budget anyway.

 

I was in the same situation at the beginning of the year. My 2005 Prius with 395,000+ miles was running great but the rust over the years was gradually worsening to the point that we knew it may not pass the annual inspection in by the end of March. In January, the car was involved in a deer collision which took out the passenger headlight , broke pieces off the R/H bumper cover, and damaged the hood and R/H fender. The car was driveable after the accident with no damage to the engine compartment or front end. After replacing the headlight and straightening the fender and hood, I kept it on the road until late March. No insurance claim was filed as I had dropped collision and comp a few years back.

I sold the car "as is" after (removing a few parts that I could use for my '08 as per agreement with the buyer) for $1500. I didn't want the hassle of pulling off parts and then having to deal with junk taking up space in my yard. It was sold with steel rims, tires that were nearing the end of their useful life, and a 10 year old 12v. There was rust under the door frames, 2 of the 4 doors had rust in the center and the rocker panels were completely gone. The electronics, engine, and hybrid battery were still performing like a champ and the mileage was still in the high 40s to low 50s.

The buyer towed the car away on a flat bed and confirmed that the rust was so bad that it indeed would have failed inspection.

Insurance fraud is a criminal act. Just sell the car "as is" and come to an agreeable price with the buyer. It will be easier to sell the car WITH the catalytic converter than without. Take the money and invest in something reliable.

 

I don't think that is the "main" issue at all.
The MAIN issue is that you have an old, worn out car.
The rust might be the least likely thing to fail soon and cost you any money.

I agree with the above suggestion.

Either: Start shopping for "any old reliable conventional car" now or just keep driving until it craps out and then have a tentative plan for what to do next.

 

Either or Both

JeffD

 

You seem to be cash constrained. That’s not meant to be an insult just an observation. If the car is drivable, drive it until it doesn’t. You can always dispose of it at that time for a couple thousand dollars with the original catalytic converter.
If it lasts another 25k miles great, if not, what have you lost?
You can also spend time working on the rust issues as best you can if you have more time than money.
If esthetics are important to you then fixing the rust would help. If rusted parts are impairing function, then look into repairs to those components.

 

i think @3prongpaul is in boulder?