Go with used parts, any quote for using salvage parts? Don't use that mechanic for HV battery rebuild or cat. Use Aegean suggestion for $450 to rebuild battery, and $130 for AutoSaver88 Amazon catalytic converter that you can replace yourself. The mechanic could probably use the Aegean's suggestion DoctorPrius rebuild for $450 and charge you $1800. He also could change your cat for $130 and sell your used cat for $800.
I normally avoid going through insurance, but based on this description that would definitely be the way to proceed. I'm surprised they didn't write off the car or did you skip calling your insurance in the first place?
Yes, alftoy, I got a quote for used parts as well. For used parts, the price would be about $1500 (unless the axle is bent. He didn't give me a price on the axle). For used parts, we would just repair the damaged side and replace nothing on the other side. From what I am reading here, I agree that replacing the cat myself and using another vendor, such as DoctorPrius or GreenTec (or maybe even NewPriusBatteries.com?) would be a more affordable way to go than having this shop do the work. That is, if we decide to repair the car at all. Rogerthat, we haven't called insurance at all yet. My son is the driver of this car. He is young and I'm afraid the insurance premiums will shoot way up if we make a claim, so we wanted to explore all options before going that route. We may still make a claim, but just want to make sure that is the best choice for us. So many options to research...
for 6 months, i wouldn't bother with the other side of the suspension, replacing the battery and would put in an aftermarket cat if allowed and sell the old one.
Let’s run some numbers. The first option is to involve insurance. Your premium goes up $800 for 4 years so let’s say $3200. The insurance pays $2000 after $500 deductible but you still need to pay for catalyst $350 installed and battery $450 rebuild. So at the end you have a $5000 repaired car with paying out of pocket $2500. The second option is to fix the car with used parts for $1500 plus catalyst $350 installed and battery $450 rebuild. So at the end you have a $5000 repaired car with paying out of pocket $2300. Probably the best option especially that you can not accurately estimate what you end up paying in increased premiums. Last option. You can sell the damaged car for $1000 so at this point you buy a replacement car for $5000. Total out of pocket cost $4000.
"all sorts of things are broken or bent: control arm, ball joint, strut assembly, wheel, possibly the axle, etc". This sounds much costlier that $2k going through insurance - they might even write it off. If it was only body damage no big deal, but proceeding with a local mechanic might open up a big ol bag of worms. At least with insurance, if they don't total the car, they'll cover all needed repairs. Without insurance you're likely to get calls every few hours upping the quote as they found additional issues. If they write the car off that could be the most favorable outcome. I bought back my totaled car and got a salvage title (you'd need to thoroughly research how salvage titles are handled in your state - it was a fairly lengthy process in GA). It is a difficult decision though as your insurance will definitely jack up your rates, especially if your son is a teen driver. Also have you any idea what's the "writeoff" value of your 2005 Prius? I'd guess around $4k if lowish miles and based on the current inflated used car market prices. Must be some body damage too?
Unless you have an address for a home or business, the warranty could be useless, and this includes doctorprius etc. These types of warranties are generally considered "30 feet or 30 seconds", which ever gets them farther. Given the current state of your HV battery, you might consider balancing/reconditioning it by using a grid charger. DIY starts around 40+. Your old OEM catalytic converter has REAL value, like 1k+.
I'm 70 so many many many years ago that was a thing horse cocky even see it in some old films I'm trying to think of the old funny guy with the cigar I can't remember the comedians name been dead for 40 years
He was great but like everything now you know what he said and how he said it may have been whatever just like Dr Seuss kind of funny and sad
