271,000 mile 06 Prius, dead HVB. What to do?

put an ad in on Craiglists and see what kind of response you get

You might be surprised!

 

i'd love to have it. i agree you'll find a buyer pretty easily. the only question is value. i'd check kbb for the value with a good battery and subtract 2k. with pkg 2, it says 4k to 5500. so $2-3,500.? or more with higher package, unless there are other issues. and that's here, cali will be higher.

 

I'd agree, Craigslist. I'm astounded that it's worth $4K-$5K in excellent condition with that mileage.

Given the miles and a bad battery, however, you may have a hard time selling, even at half that price. People who don't know better assume a dead traction battery is un-fixable. Might take a long time.

You might look at what a used battery would cost. If you can put $500-$1000 into it and sell it for $2K more, it might be worth it.

 

I've been looking at these guys (for a Honda Civic Hybrid replacement battery). Here's a refurbed second gen Prius battery they offer, for $1345, with 18 mo warranty. Further down the page is a pricier new cell battery:

Toyota Prius Gen 2 Hybrid Battery | GreenTec Auto | Hybrid Battery Replacement

BumbleBee is another company offering similar.

 

Considered donating it to a local high school auto shop?

 

I may be interested depending on price. It would need to be a good deal. I am in fresno ca.

 

I have a relative that had the battery die in their 2005. He traded it in a toyota dealer toward a new prius. I think since it was the dealer he originally bought it at they cut him a break and gave him $4k trade in. Not sure what the dealer did with it.....

 

I'm interested, message sent.

 

This might help you out. I know you said you weren't interested in fixing it, but I'm assuming it needs to be fixed so the CEL (check engine light) is off to pass smog in order to be able to sell it privately in California.
3 month old Toyota hybrid battery | PriusChat

 

these cars are exempt from smog in CA

 

If you lived on the east coast, i'd probably give you $1000 for it and refurbish the battery pack myself. Then just use it as a beater car to drive to work, get the interior dirty with stuff etc...

 

I just sold my 2003 (with 2/3rds the mileage) on Craigslist, despite the dead hybrid battery. KBB reckons it's worth $3300 (with a good battery), I listed it at $2k and got $1800 for it. If a mechanic can do the work himself, it's not a bad deal for him.

 

Dang!! Wish I could find a dead traction battery Prius in my area...buy it for a song and dance, put a used salvage yard traction battery in it for $350 and then resell it for $1000 more than I paid

 

You might want to check out The Hybrid Shop. They are the ONLY ones who can provide a fully documented conditioned battery that performs at >95% of original performance. Beware aftermarket batteries. Ask for evidence that the battery is balanced, thermally tested and properly charged prior to being put in your car. Go to The Hybrid Shop website.