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anyone purchased a $1600 OEM battery

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Calimobber, Oct 14, 2019.

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  1. Calimobber

    Calimobber Member

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    Ive finally got my first P0a80 code for my HV battery. Its still driving as I cleared it and hasnt came back but im going to start calling around to see the cheapest I can get a OEM toyota battery. Ive seen them online listed for $1600 but it sounds like its difficult to actully get them that price. So has anyone been able to get a local dealer to meet that price?

    I know Toaster is an option and im possibly open to that but just looking at oem for now

    2008 240,000 miles. I believe it the original.
     
    #1 Calimobber, Oct 14, 2019
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i think the issue is usually shipping. call around to all the dealers you're willing to drive to. be sure to get core exchange details.

    all the best!(y)
     
    #2 bisco, Oct 14, 2019
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  3. egg_salad

    egg_salad Active Member

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    Camelback in Phoenix sells for $1729. Today. Last time I looked it was $1650.
     
    #3 egg_salad, Oct 14, 2019
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  4. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Yes some people have. Usually $1650, not $1600. Plus a core charge and tax, so don't just show up with $1650 in cash!

    However of the handful of people that aren't professional mechanics who have received the low price, there are thousands that haven't. You have a chance, more so if you're willing to spend a weekend driving somewhere for a gamble. Assuming the drive and time don't eat into the "savings".
     
    #4 2k1Toaster, Oct 14, 2019
  5. bej

    bej Junior Member

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    Salina Toyota sells brand new packs for $1699:
    Toyota Prius Battery assembly, hv supply. Electrical, wiring, cable - G951047031 | Salinas Toyota, Salinas CA


    They always have one in stock at all times. It'd be a pretty long drive for you from So. Cal though.
     
    #5 bej, Oct 15, 2019
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  6. Calimobber

    Calimobber Member

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    Sweet thanks, Ill call around today and report back what I find.
     
    #6 Calimobber, Oct 15, 2019
  7. Calimobber

    Calimobber Member

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    So I got a dealer in Vegas to match $1700. I assume the core charge with OEM is just the complete old battery? So I just remove it from the car, toss in the new complete one and return the old one. Just like replacing an alternator or somthing, just drop off the old one.

    So many videos showing rebuilding and taking apart batteries. I assume thats only when replaceing the cells.
     
    #7 Calimobber, Oct 20, 2019
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  8. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    #8 Elektroingenieur, Oct 20, 2019
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  9. egg_salad

    egg_salad Active Member

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    "Which dealer might that be?", asked the man in Vegas.
     
    #9 egg_salad, Oct 20, 2019
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  10. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    The new one is not complete.

    Take the old one out.
    Set the new one next to it.

    Figure out all the stuff you need to transfer over. Be sure to use all the new nuts and bolts that are provided. Don't forget the foam baffles. Or the little rectangular whitish piece for endcap.

    Do not return the old one until you are certain you have all the pieces. Once it is turned back into the dealer you may never see it again.

    Please take the time to use an inch-pound torque wrench when making the battery connections. This is not an area you want to be guessing.
     
    #10 ericbecky, Oct 20, 2019
  11. Calimobber

    Calimobber Member

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    It was Centennial Toyota on the north side of town. I just asked if they would match another dealers price of $1700 and he paused a second and said yeah we can do that.
     
    #11 Calimobber, Oct 21, 2019
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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    get the guys name, and make sure he is going to be there when you arrive.

    get it in writing in an email, in case you have to show them.
     
    #12 bisco, Oct 22, 2019
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  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    The Orange safety key has a small screwdriver in its tip, used to unscrew some orange plastic cover caps over one or two bolts.
     
    #13 Mendel Leisk, Oct 22, 2019
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  14. TrashyPrius

    TrashyPrius New Member

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    I have a new battery installed in my Prius and the major difference I noticed was that if you install it yourself, it is a 1 year warranty (unlimited miles). If installed by the dealer it is a 3 year warranty (unlimited miles)

    There is even a chance the battery they sell you has been sitting around for months and may be bad. Some dealer stock batteries have been on the shelf for 6 months. The first battery installed in my Prius was bad and they had to install another one
     
    #14 TrashyPrius, Oct 22, 2019
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    That is food for thought. You are basically buying a warranty, but you're also ensuring there's no finger-pointing if there's problems, and there's no core charge, and you don't even have to get your hands dirty.

    Our whole 2010 sat around, about 15 months from date of manufacture, no issues to date. Just one data point though.
     
    #15 Mendel Leisk, Oct 22, 2019
  16. Calimobber

    Calimobber Member

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    So by what your saying the cost your paying them to install is like a 2 year warranty.

    new batteries that have been sitting around a while are not a bad. Its not a time thing more than a cycle thing. Once they start getting used and the chemicals start reacting is when its essentially activated. Thats why most rechargable batteries want you to charge them before use since they were never charged in the first place.
     
    #16 Calimobber, Oct 22, 2019
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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i have read very few, if any, problems with self installed oem batteries. the above may be the first
     
    #17 bisco, Oct 23, 2019
  18. Calimobber

    Calimobber Member

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    Battery Update:

    So Centennial Toyota in Vegas was closed when I drove through vegas. I called and tried to order over the phone but they said I could only do that in person. The problem with that was im 2.5 hours away from vegas so when I drive back through I just wanted to pick up the battery not drive 2.5hours 2 days later to come get it.

    Toyota Auto Nation(Vegas) had 2 in stock but wanted $2500 for the battery. I laughed at him and he only lowered to $2050. I told him no way im paying that. Finley Toyota (vegas(had one in stock and would go to $1850 and would not match $1700. They are kinda out of my way.

    So I ened up going with Bishop,CA Toyota since they would do $1800 and its closer to where I live. They took my order over the phone and the girlfriend was passing through town and could pick it up this week.

    I get home Saturday and should have it all installed sunday. Ill let everyone know how it goes.
     
    #18 Calimobber, Oct 30, 2019
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  19. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    $1800 is a good deal for retail price.
    I assume they charged a $1,350 refundable core fee?
     
    #19 ericbecky, Nov 5, 2019
  20. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    You got a good price with a fair amount of work and headache. Less persistent people get the $2050 or $2500 prices all the time even though "they're only $1600 now" is constantly mentioned around here. Obviously not.

    Glad you got a fair deal for you and another Prius stays on the road. Good luck with the install. It's not hard, just take your time and 100% make sure to get the whole thing together and working in your car before you return the core. Don't want to forget something.
     
    #20 2k1Toaster, Nov 5, 2019
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