'05 Gen2 - not running but has a refurb hybrid battery NE FL

I have a 2005 Prius with 209,000 miles, original owner. I had the hybrid battery replaced in June, it has about 1000 miles on it. The 12v is brand new - about 9 miles on it. The tires are just over 2 years old with 10k miles. The car won't go into gear - it turns on and the warning lights come on but I can only put it into Neutral and Park. The research I did indicated it was the 12v battery and my mechanic agreed. He put a new one in for $400 and it drove it home fine; it started the next morning but the red triangle came on before the end of the driveway. I pulled back in, turned it off and on and it wouldn't go into gear. The ICE engine never comes on, no matter how long I sit there with the lights on the dash or push the gas pedal. I tried unplugging the 12v to see if it would clear the error, but it doesn't. I charged the 12v battery with an external charger and it tested at 12.3v but still won't start. I don't have an ODB reader to know the codes. There's a pic of the dash in the gallery below. My mech of 10+ years gave up on it and said he didn't know how to fix it and couldn't work on it anymore. I wasn't going to pay to have it towed somewhere else for another $100. When the hybrid was replaced, they noted 2 codes but my mech said they were temp sensors and not too important but would cost $400 if I wanted them replaced. I didn't do it.

I'm going to be honest about the cosmetic condition - it's not great. The armrest is worn thin and the upholstery is stained but not dirty. Never carried around animals, so no animal hair. The AC vents on the dash are brittle and broken from having the combination meter replaced. They need to be replaced for about $100 if you're going to do anything that requires removing them. The HUD is useless from the Florida sun. I bought a glass touch screen but realized that wasn't going to fix the problem, it needs a new unit which are $300-$400 and a lot of work to install. I didn't even use the screen anymore, I knew where to touch the screen to make the ac do what I wanted. The exterior is beat up - usual fading of hood and roof, many dings dents and scrapes. No accidents, just parking lot stuff. While trying to get into the trunk to mess with the 12v I forgot the liftgate needs power and being a bit aggravated pulled up on it hard ... and broke off the lift handle/emblem piece. The button to make the lift work does function and can be put on a new molding piece (~$100). One rust spot the size of a dime. Passenger seatbelt on the driver side doesn't retract. I didn't hide anything - the pics show all the blemishes. The A/C blows cold. I installed a bluetooth adapter years ago, but thats the only 'mod' I've done. I was getting about 37 mpg at the end.

I bought a new '23 and I'd like to recoup some of the money from replacing the hybrid and 12v battery in June/July ($1800). If someone knows how to get it into gear and can drive it away, I'm sure it will run for at least another 10k and cost a few hundred in cosmetics if you're so inclined. I know I'll never get $1800 for it, but I trust that anyone here would be honest about the value they see in the vehicle and negotiate fairly.

I'm in Northeast Florida - Jacksonville. I have the paper title and will pay the title transfer fee.

2005 Prius gallery

This is not a troubleshooting post - I want to sell it as is. I'm just trying to be as up front as I can with all the details in case someone who knows how fix it wants to buy it. If you know how to fix this and it's super simple, message me. I'm not a car person - I can barely change oil - but if I can get it running I have luck on FB Marketplace if no one here wants it. Otherwise it's only scrappers calling offering $200.

 

Thank you both for your detailed and thought out responses.

I respect your opinion but disagree with basing your evaluation of mechanics on cosmetics. I believe a car is a tool - care for it and maintain it in working condition but don't expect it to remain pristine. The engine has been serviced as recommended, just not by my hands. Caring about appearances is different than caring for what's under the hood, they don't have to go hand in hand. I get that for many people that's true, but not for me.

Uncalled for - children were raised in it and given my opinion towards car cosmetics I wasn't hyper about cleaning up the messes they made. It was heavily used - sometimes I felt like I lived in it.

I'm not indifferent to the car - I'm resisting selling it to a junkyard because its the best car I've ever owned and after 18 years I'm very very attached to it - warts and all. I want it to go to someone to drive a little longer - a teenager or a fixer/beater car. If I truly didn't care my wife would've had her way and sold it to a junkyard for $200 already.

 

Sold.

Person who bought it had a code reader and said it was throwing a coolant sensor code. Cleared it out and was able to start the car and drive it onto their trailer.