Keep or sell? So confused

Why did you take it to the Toyota Dealership?

 

What did you get repaired for $2500? I really hope that wasn't just the diagnostic...

You can usually find the AC unit in junkyard Prii relatively cheaply. It is not a common failure, so their prices are still pretty low compared to book value of a new one. Like an inverter. Any backyard mechanic can do a full replacement. The only "gotcha" is that the refrigerant used must be the Toyota hybrid stuff. So cheap out and buy a used AC unit, buy genuine toyota AC goo, and have your favourite independent mechanic do the job.

Not having AC means you cannot cool the cabin down any lower than ambient. You live in NJ, not the Sahara so that's probably not a problem.

As to your car feeling like it was "dragging" that usually happens when the battery is hot, or low in charge. Both can be a sign of imminent HV battery failure. At 14 years old (2004 MY in the USA was built in calendar year 2003), your HV pack is at least well aged. Keep an eye on your energy monitor display and see how quickly the bars come and go. Also become aware of the battery fan in the rear passenger seat, and mentally note if you ever hear it running.

For now, I would just drive it. You don't owe anyone anything on it. Now is a poor time to buy a new car anyways (end of MY but before next MY comes out), you can wait a while longer if you want to. If the car dies, I am sure you can find a new one or repair it at that time. Replacing it proactively makes sense if you want something newer or with working AC. Depends on how important that is to you.

 

I think she meant she only paid $2,500 in total for the car in the first place. So $4,000 seems like a huge amount to pay for repairs.

It could also be stuck or binding callipers on the brakes. A clean and lube of the brakes and calliper slide pins may be in order. Again, a competent mechanic can do this at probably a better rate than the dealer.

 

Most muffler shops that are independent (not a franchise) will look at your car for free and give estimate....Could be a $100 fix.

 

What is your average fuel economy you have been seeing lately? This will tell much about the current state of the drive train.
I recently purchased a used Camry hybrid and took it in to the dealer for a recall. The car had been somewhat neglected as far as scheduled maintenance. They performed the recall, but also checked the car over. The estimate was over $2500. Included in the estimate was $168. for changing the serpentine belt. Needless to say, I booked it out of there. Out of the long list of "needed" repair items they claimed, I have done only the belt. I did catch the car up to the recommended preventative maintenance.
Moral of the story: If you can't fix it yourself, find a good mechanic who will treat you fairly.

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While you are sort-of in the rust belt, these cars have stainless exhaust pipes and mufflers, even after 10 years, they should not be rusted to the point of requiring replacement, it is however possible.

The AC compressor is electrically driven from the HSD system, leaving it DOA will not hurt anything at all, except for a reduction in defrosting performance, as you lose the humidity reduction of the AC system in this mode.

Ehh, Ford v Chevy thing. We liked the performance of the Gen3 over the Gen2, but obviously no female was involved in the interior design of the 3, because you have no where to place a purse with a full car! Gen2 your purse can go on the center front floorboard, where we think they belong

Besides, we liked the look of the Gen2 better and found a good deal on ours.