cost of a new 12v starter battery?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by mountaintodd, May 8, 2011.

  1. mountaintodd

    mountaintodd Junior Member

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    We have an 07 Prius with 101,000 miles on it and from what I've read it's about time to have to replace the 12v. starter battery. Again, from what I've read these batteries typically last four to five years.

    When we first bought the Prius in March I checked into these 12v starter batteries at my local dealer and they were about $135 (about what others I've read have paid). So, after saving up the money to get a new battery and a few other tune up parts, my dealership now tells me that the price for the battery is $260!! :eek: Just curious to know what others have paid for this 12v starter battery recently?

    My dealership assured me that they don't price gouge and all the other parts I bought were what I expected (thanks to PriusChat). Needless to say, I told the parts guy that I wanted to check into this 100% price increase with my friends at PriusChat.

    Thanks!:)
     
    #1 mountaintodd, May 8, 2011
  2. don_chuwish

    don_chuwish Well Seasoned Member

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    $260 had better include installation. You may also want to question how long the battery has been sitting on the shelf prior to install.

    - D
     
    #2 don_chuwish, May 8, 2011
  3. hpartsch

    hpartsch Member

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    I just bought one and they wanted 190 i believe. I saw on here people paid 139.99 MSRP, so i said the other toyota dealeship across town quoted me that much (139.99). He instantly matched the price without hesitation.

     
    #3 hpartsch, May 8, 2011
  4. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...us-12-volt-auxiliary-battery-installer-6.html has some other prices.

    If $260 is w/o installation, run away and go somewhere or buy the Optima D51 from elearnaid instead. $260 w/install isn't a great deal either, IMHO.

    BTW, "starter battery" is a misnomer. The Prius has no starter and the ICE isn't started by the 12 volt.
     
    #4 cwerdna, May 8, 2011
  5. mountaintodd

    mountaintodd Junior Member

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    The $260 I was told was from the parts counter, without installation. I like to do the things I can do myself. They said that it was a sudden increase from the $139 I was quoted just a few months ago, and that they were surprised themselves.

    I'm glad I asked! What have others experienced?

    Thanks!
     
    #5 mountaintodd, May 8, 2011
  6. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    I paid $152 from the parts counter, no core charge.
     
    #6 dogfriend, May 8, 2011
  7. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Read this thread of mine:

    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...92860-new-12v-battery-part-28800-21171-a.html

    The new part # that ends in 71 initially had a MSRP of nearly $300. However, it has recently been reduced to ~$160. I communicated this to my parts manager, who researched the issue, and later sold me the part for the wholesale cost of $138.

    I would ask your parts department to check and see if there has been a price reduction on the battery that they are selling you.
     
    #7 The Critic, May 9, 2011
  8. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    If you can't get a reasonable price for it, go w/the Optima. I went with w/the Optima on the hopes that it really is a superior battery and knowing I wouldn't save money (back when I got it) over the OEM one.
     
    #8 cwerdna, May 9, 2011
  9. mountaintodd

    mountaintodd Junior Member

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    Thanks for the link and info.! Sometimes my searches don't work for me. I think if I go back to my dealership with this info., I should be able to get a better price. If not, I'll go with the Optima battery.

    Does anybody know how much the Optima battery is, and a part number?

    Thanks!
     
    #9 mountaintodd, May 9, 2011
  10. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    Optima D51. It is easiest to buy the kit from elearnaid.com, but you could also buy it on Amazon and piece together the necessary terminal adapters.

    I just looked up the new part number at an online parts counter. It's shocking: msrp $284, wholesale $221.
     

    Attached Files:

    #10 seilerts, May 9, 2011
  11. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    There was a price reduction. Many dealers and online catalogs have not updated their price.
     
    #11 The Critic, May 9, 2011
  12. rickovitz

    rickovitz New Member

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    I'm about to pay about $125 at ez lube. i went to pick up my car after an 85,000 mile routine oil change and it was totally dead! nasty when the doors don't open.
    they have to into the back seat, fet some power and then unlock the car.
     
    #12 rickovitz, May 20, 2011
  13. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Pls take a photo and post (after you've posted 5 times) so we can see what kind of 12V battery EZ Lube will install.
     
    #13 Patrick Wong, May 20, 2011
  14. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    I suspect it won't be a proper AGM battery and will be a flooded acid one instead.
     
    #14 cwerdna, May 20, 2011
  15. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    +!

    They will probably realize that the quoted price was way too low since no aftermarket batteries exist.
     
    #15 The Critic, May 21, 2011
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