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Prius finally dead after 349,531 miles. But not from natural causes.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by JimboK, Feb 1, 2008.

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  1. JimboK

    JimboK One owner, low mileage

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    Some of you probably know about Jesse, the 2002 Prius owner with well over 300K on his car. For some time now, John1701a has chronicled Jesse's ever-increasing and mostly trouble-free mileage. I don't know if Jesse ever joined here, but he checks in from time to time at CleanMPG.com.

    Well, Jesse's car is now dead. Through no fault of its own. It had help in the form of a 17 year-old who failed to yield the right-of-way. Fortunately, both occupants were unhurt. Jesse doesn't say whether the car stands a chance of being resuscitated, but he calls his odometer reading "final." See this CleanMPG thread for a description of Jesse's car and travels; fast forward to post #47 for the discussion about the collision.
     
    #1 JimboK, Feb 1, 2008
  2. Neicy

    Neicy Member

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    Thanks for the link JimboK. It would be nice if they can save the car but I doubt it. So sad.
     
    #2 Neicy, Feb 1, 2008
  3. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Such a pitty, and under 500 miles shy of 350K miles!
     
    #3 patsparks, Feb 1, 2008
  4. statultra

    statultra uber-Senior Member

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    i just PMed him asking if i could buy it from him, i would love to bring it back to life if the insurance wouldnt cover it.

    i brought this back to life.
    [​IMG]
     
    #4 statultra, Feb 1, 2008
  5. JimboK

    JimboK One owner, low mileage

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    A PM through CleanMPG should work.
     
    #5 JimboK, Feb 1, 2008
  6. Doc Willie

    Doc Willie Shuttlecraft Commander

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    Maybe we should get Toyota to finance shipping it and putting it up on a plinth next to
    on Top Gear.
     
    #6 Doc Willie, Feb 1, 2008
  7. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    That's really a shame. I loosely followed Jesse's progress and looked forward to seeing how far that car would go.:(
     
    #7 efusco, Feb 1, 2008
  8. Qlara

    Qlara New Member

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    Not just Prius, the only way to kill a 'well-maintained' car is ALWAYS by someone else running into it or natural disaster.
     
    #8 Qlara, Feb 1, 2008
  9. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I really hope it can be rebuilt to run on the original ICE and battery. Jesse's Prius was (and still is) an icon of Prius durability.

    It is a shame that some old GM junk car put a possible stop to this.

    If it can not be repaired, who will take the torch? Andrew Grant is in Canada with 04' Prius. Who has the second highest mileage in US (either 01'+ or 04'+)?
     
    #9 usbseawolf2000, Feb 1, 2008
  10. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    know that feeling, something of yours screwed up by an idiot :(

    truly a shame to see it die in this way.
     
    #10 galaxee, Feb 1, 2008
  11. Ron3KL

    Ron3KL New Member

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    Don't think of it as "only" 349,531 miles....

    ...think of it as 562,516 kilometres! :lol:

    Toyota's engineers and marketing people in Japan think in kilometres.

    Perhaps Jesse could get support from Toyota like Irv Gordon got from Volvo for his 1966 P1800 with 2.6 million miles on it. The world wide publicity that Volvo have got from that car must be worth a mint.
     
    #11 Ron3KL, Feb 1, 2008
  12. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Is it the highest privately owned?

    cause I thought the taxis here would be close to 500,000 kms by now (esp. that 2001 Empress Taxi one in Victoria)
     
    #12 Tideland Prius, Feb 1, 2008
  13. n8kwx

    n8kwx Member

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    350k miles!

    Geez, he must have gone through about 5 batteries at $7,000 each. Ouch! ;)
     
    #13 n8kwx, Feb 1, 2008
  14. Bob64

    Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky

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    He was still running on original batteries. His batteries were never replaced.
     
    #14 Bob64, Feb 2, 2008
    chughes123 likes this.
  15. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    It was a junk Mercury Sable (badge engineered version of the Ford Taurus).

    Too bad! :( I too would've liked to have seen how far it'd have gone before the ICE or battery conked out.
     
    #15 cwerdna, Feb 2, 2008
  16. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Being the victim of someone running a red light was not how I expected his adventure to end.

    Thankfully, Jesse walked away from this crushing accident without a scratch.

    Photos are available on his webpage.
    .
     
    #16 john1701a, Feb 2, 2008
  17. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Thankyou. A good read, I'll go back and read more tomorrow.

    Nasty damage!
     
    #17 patsparks, Feb 2, 2008
  18. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    wow what a bummer....

    but expected... my 04 was also a victim of an accident... only 30,000 miles. i had hoped to 10 fold that amount...but now on Pri#2...pushing 21,000 and going strong... recently changed cabin and engine air filter... along with 4 oil changes... that is all so far.
     
    #18 DaveinOlyWA, Feb 2, 2008
  19. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    It doesn't look too bad. Maybe it can be revived.
     
    #19 usbseawolf2000, Feb 2, 2008
  20. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    As a suggestion, could you add "Jesse walked away from this crushing accident" to the photo directory? The existing caption "tragic end" gave the wrong impression. I saw the photo and deployed air-bags but no indication how he came out.

    Any follow-up from Jesse on his next plans?

    Thanks,
    Bob Wilson
     
    #20 bwilson4web, Feb 18, 2008
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