Considering buying a gen 2 Prius. Need advice.

As much as they should be standardized, prices and service across different dealerships can widely vary. I'd do some price comparisons across a few different Toyota dealers. Chances are, you'll find one that has much more reasonable prices.
I've heard bad things about Dorman.

 

Toyota parts of Olathe had theirs listed for less than $2000 (not including shipping).

 

Genuine OEM BATTERY Parts for 2006 Toyota Prius Base - Olathe Toyota Parts Center

I just noticed that unfortunately they cannot ship the battery. Perhaps you could use this as ammo to get the dealership to come down on price?

 

My bad, to much of a hurry. the correct part number is G9510-47031 and the remanufactured would be G9510-47031-84 (available in CA only)

You should buy online from a place nearby (or as far as you are prepared to travel) as you will be only be able to pick up. As an example this dealer sell the battery 20% off the list price of $2588.67 for $2070.94 + core charge of $1350.00 for a total of $3420.94. You get refunded the $1350 when you return the core. So $2070.94 nett.

They are supposedly the better option for a drop in swap, but it is really like comparing apples with oranges. Second-hand vs new. It is like, is buying second-hand tyres with 500 miles left on them for $15 better than buying new tyres for $120? It depends on what you hope to achieve.

This is true, as well as the Toyota new is not a drop in swap proposition. You will need to dismantle some of the components of the old battery and transfer them over to the new battery. The important thing with the Toyota New battery is that it contains all new modules and because of this it will last at least as long as the battery originally supplied from the factory.

 

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there's a member in texas with a 2007 with 138k in great shape other than needs a battery, that would be happy to sell it to you for $3,500. and he can procure a new battery for you for only $2,600.
if you install your own battery, you still get 12/12 on it. but the important thing is that the new ones don't fail.
gen 3 is great, but has it's own issues.

 

all the best!

 

Keep looking, something is bound to pop up! If I were in your shoes I would make sure that the Prius you find has Stability control (I think Side and side head airbags come in the same package). I imagine that stability control would be even more useful to you up in New England. It definitely saved my bacon in an ice storm a few years back. I made it home unscathed, while my wife wrecked our 99 Land Cruiser (without Stability control).

 

Gen 2 Prii are more or less a "known quantity," with common failure points and long-term reliability well known. Some folks prefer Gen 2 for that reason over the slightly newer and less tested Gen 3 (we don't yet know things like hybrid battery failure patterns for Gen 3 models because they're not old enough yet). Others prefer the styling of the Gen 2 (the "iconic" Prius look, as some have put it) or the interior layout. If I recall correctly, I think the driver sits a bit higher on the Gen 2 as well, which makes a difference to some people. And the different generations have different common problems. High intensity headlights tend to be the biggest problem on Gen 2 models, while burning oil is the biggest culprit on early Gen 3 models.

 

According to this article from iSeeCars, 1.1% of Prii are over 200,000 miles. While that might not seem like a lot, there are only 13 cars people keep longer. So you're right - Prius owners do tend to keep their cars longer than most.

 

fair enough, but don't complain if you're faced with a $3,500. repair bill.

 

We drove a number of Gen3s during our ~5 month search and found we liked the Gen2s better. I am not aware of the Gen3s getting better economy than the twos.

I am hooked and they are really not more reliable, given similar care, than a Camry or Corolla from those I know who own them.

No doubt that the Gen2 is considered by many to be THE car when they think of a "Prius" and could explain the, albeit crazy, higher prices.

5 months we looked, ultimately SCORED a good one from the FO for under $2k.

 

There are lots around me in Minnesota as well.

 

Replacement cost of the HVB should be ASSUMED/included in the budget, if not done already by Toyota and documented.

 

agreed, but there are other expensive systems on the prius, which can be a problem, even if 1.1% are still on the road.
everyone should be aware of the possibilities up front, no matter how remote.