Warning indicators

Make sure you consider the resale value and compare it with what Toyota might offer you as a trade-in on the existing one. With it not running they might offer you next to nothing, so it might be worth spending 2k (or less) for a s/h or rebuilt pack if you can sell it in running condition for decent price.

 

You can reliably drive your 2007 to Sanford NC to get it fixed for about $2000, make sure that you have a scheduled visit as they build their ReInVolt Batteries as needed and usually don't keep many on the shelf.

Good luck with however you decide.

Jeffd

 

Betsy,

Sorry to hear about your car. I am a fellowing North Carolinian and will trade you my Ema (2006 Prius w/Bluetooth) straight up. You don't even have to fix the battery, lol.

Just kidding, I am hoping to get Ema to 400K before my battery or any other major component dies on her. She is currently at 328,000 miles and I just had to replace the gas cap because it wasn't sealing correctly causing a CEL. If the oil burn issue she has, currently 1 quart every 2,000 miles, isn't any worse and my battery died I would consider Taylor/Re-Involt to replace it even though I really want a new one with adapative cruise for all the highway miles I drive.

I would do some research on here and see what you can get for a trade at your dealer or in the open market for your car but $2,000 or so for a new battery and most likely another 100,000 miles minimum isn't a bad deal. If you do decide to replace the battery and keep her I would consider new ATF fluid, spark plugs and other "maintenance" items as well.

Sorry again to hear about your car and good luck with whatever you decide. Post back here and let us know.

Happy driving,
Chris

 

A one day rental is inexpensive.

JeffD

 

The Toyota replacement HV battery is warranted for one year. The ReInVolt is warranted by Taylor's for 18 months.

JeffD

 

I am surprised that you did not see either the red traction battery warning icon, or the red hybrid vehicle warning icon, in the upper left corner of the MFD.

 

Did I miss something, dealer said the HV is bad but what were the codes.

 

In spite of several requests (including mine), the codes were never reported here.

JeffD

 

I agree Patrick. That and the fact that the OP didn't notice any obvious driveability problems makes me think that it's well worth getting a second opinion on this one.

 

We were only trying to save her a couple of thousand dollars, but Taylor's Automotive was an hour drive.

JeffD

 

Could the dealer be telling her its bad to get her to buy a new one? Just saying

 

Can anyone confirm this:

Is a gen3 HV identical to the gen2?

 

Betsy, don't keep us all in suspense--what was the outcome?

 

Not identical, but it has 28 modules that can fit in a Gen2 HV battery and they are better modules than the Gen2 Modules (lower series resistance, 30% higher charge/discharge max current).

JeffD

 

Cause I have a Gen3 HV pack in my garage that I want to sell from a total loss with 20k miles on it.

 

It is worth $500-$700 as long as it has not been sitting idle for too long (a few months is OK). You can sell it on eBay, but shipping is expensive. Contact Avi (near LA) to see if he wants it.

JeffD

 

OP, we have a bit of a disconnect. You reported the dealer's conclusion. What codes were reported that caused them to come to that conclusion? It's your car and it's your money so you have a right to those codes, especially since you paid $98 for them to be read. Many here offer to help but without hard data it is little more than speculation.

Your reported symptoms don't lead to the "failed hybrid battery" conclusion. The cynics among us can as easily conclude that the dealer would rather upsell you into a new car rather than fix the old one. Throwing out a large quote for a repair is just about guaranteed to get the owner to trade up. They win on both ends as they sell a new car, pay next to nothing (which you are happy to receive) for your old one, repair it at cost then sell it for more profit.

Buy a new Prius because you want a new Prius and we will be happy for you. I'll leave it at that until we see the DTC.