Just joined the forum. Live in Dallas, TX and can't find a mechanic for my 2005 Prius. Any suggestions?
Welcome to PriusChat!! What sorts of issues are you currently experiencing? FYI : you're moderated until you've posted 5 times.
The catalytic converter was just stolen & I don't want to spend over $4000 if it's not gonna last much longer. It's has 165,350 miles on it and I just replaced the main battery with a used one. Don't know the life expectancy on the battery. Also my current mechanic doesn't know quack about Prius' so I'd like to have a person I can trust with my car and educate me on it's needs.
I wouldn't hold your breath, it might last up to 2 years if you're lucky or it might not make it to 6 months. You're in TX so you can install any approved replacement cat converter that will fit. It shouldn't cost more than $100 - $300 (depending on the quality you chose) to buy the CC, and labor is what 1 -2 hours?
Given the high value of drivable Priuses these days … If no other problems, just replace the catalytic converter with an aftermarket for a few hundred dollars then see what happens with the HV battery. If the battery fails you’re looking at less than $2,000 more to replace it. That may be some time down the road. No way of telling more since we don’t know where you bought it other than it was used. Many places now sell good quality HV batteries. And unless you have service history you may want to change all fluids, two coolants, transmission and brake. A couple to three hundred dollars more. If mpg is low check plugs. Also for other work, look for a local certified hybrid mechanic. Certified Toyota Prius Repair Centers Are Closer Than You Think | Torque News Also contact ASE About ASE - Automotive Service Excellence
Without a doubt, Matt at Texas Hybrid Batteries is your guy for servicing your Prius in DFW. He is mobile, will come to you. Though catalytic converters are probably not his thing, he can likely lead you in the right direction.
Last week, I called K3S Auto Repair & they no longer work on the Prius. They did say that because the used car market is so high, I should repair my car. Important but still didn't get an estimated life expectancy for the vehicle. Then I joined Prius Chat So I could spend up to $4350 on the new cat & repair, plus more for theft prevention. But in at least a year I will need to replace the battery AGAIN. In my newbie opinion this would be a good solution if the car had way less miles on it. At this point I would sell it, and hope to get a used car soon-ish, even if the market stays up. What would y'all do?
Can't seem to edit past post. I guess I need to think about where the used car market will be in a year. And figure out how much my car is worth as is.
it is difficult to predict the future. you can call carmax for a value, and look it up on kbb.com as well. do you require smog? if not, aftermarket cats are cheap. no one can tell you how long your car will last. some go many hundreds of thousands of miles, but that doesn't mean they didn't require a new battery or brake actuator at some point along the way.
Based on what you’ve described as the known needs of the car, i.e., an aftermarket catalytic converter and a wait and see on a new HV battery, I don’t see why you think $4k+ is what you’re looking at. Sounds more like you’re talking yourself into a newer car, instead. If that’s what you want, then spend three hundred on a new catalytic converter and sell it on Craigslist. You could spend years worrying about how long your car will last. Fix it or Flip It, as the TV show says. Maybe they should start a show like that for Prius’s.
Ok, so I have the Cat. Part price wrong. Anyone have a good guess as to the actual cost? And what's a good price for the repair? Also, best solutions for protection from future theft prevention?
If you look on other car marketplace Craigslist fb you can find one or two guys call their numbers or do it yourself if you can
We install/replace catalytic converters as well as the cat guard shields. The shields are $200 installed but if you're putting aftermarket cats on it's not as big of a deal. Most of the thieves won't steal A/M cats. I'm getting a couple cars a week in the shop with stolen cats. Very annoying! Call or email me if you need more information. Matt [email protected] (817) 629-8394
Thanks for reaching out Matt! Was about to call THB & ask for you per someone's suggestion. I emailed you.
