Still worth putting a new battery in a 2008 & expected costs in NJ?

The price of the Toyota battery is come down If you own a 10 mm wrench and a socket and a 12 mm socket in a wrench you can easily change the battery pretty quickly watch a few videos it's that simple The new Toyota battery that you buy you will need the front end off the battery that's in your car now three 10 mm bolts take it off a couple of eights undo the wires and you'll just hold on to that you'll be giving the Toyota dealer the big gray part of the case and it just drops into this container The battery from Toyota now is around 1640 new as a complete new rack bus bars compression bars all of it just like the one you got with your car No funny business If your car is that lower mileage and in that good of shape it's definitely worth it to get a new one or if you can afford it the project lithium either way Yes it's definitely worth doing I don't know how bad the rust is eating your car up but you're only a couple of hours from rolling chassis in the southeast so push come to shove you can always get another rolling chassis very reasonable I'm almost driving for free on these things now got like four of them couple of them I've paid 5 to $700 for and drove them away from where I pick them up. I lived up near Cherry Hill back in the '70s and early '80s when it was crime and gang ridden.

 

if it doesn't burn much oil, it's probably gonna have a good long run. batteries are usually around 2k, and installation should be around $400., but all you can do is call around for the best price.

another potential trouble spot is the brake actuator, about the same cost as a battery.

 

If the engine doesn’t burn any oil, AND your car doesn’t have much rust (since you’re in the Northeast) then there’s a good chance it could be worth it. For me it’s worth the extra $$ for OEM new. The other big potential repair is the brake actuator as stated above. I’ve owned my 2006 for 10 years now, and it remains the most reliable and lowest cost of ownership car I’ve ever owned (and I’ve owned 33 cars). I still love driving it.

 

IF the car doesn't have much rust, then not much besides the HV battery is going to "age" out. Sure, there are fairly pricey repairs that can crop up. Brake actuator, catalytic converter (theft), A/C evaporator, anything in the (sealed) fuel tank assembly. Any of that's possible.

How likely? Ehh. I see a moderate number (30?) of hybrids. Done 3-4 Gen2 fuel tanks. Did a Gen2 evaporator 8 years ago. Never seen a brake actuator (yet). Not too many HV battery problems.

I got my 2006 with 160k on it 3 years ago. Since then I replaced the HV battery, radiator, A/C condenser, HID headlights. Plus some "normal" repairs, water pumps, brakes, shocks, tires etc.

For that I've gotten 51k of 45-50 MPG reliable commuting. If it needs a fuel tank or brake actuator, I'll do it.

For you, it's about your tolerance for risk.

"Refurbished" batteries are a crapshoot. Some people get 2-3 years out of one. Some get 2-3 weeks. If you look at one, really understand the warranty as you will likely need it.

FYI, your first 5 posts are moderated and might take some time to show up on the forum.



Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

We have had 4 refurb batteries, only one went less than a year. There are several high cost items that have a higher percentage of failure after 200k miles. Your car could be a good or bad, regardless the key to happy ownership is finding a good prius shop or developing the skills and tools to work on it. Many cars in this age group are lasting past 200k but none have as loyal a following and over 40 mpg.

 

I am in Michigan.
My 2009 has just about 300,000 Miles.
I recently spent about $500 to get new spark plugs, fluid replacement, brake disc/pads replaced, filters, serpentine belt.
I would replace the battery if it was to go - - I had somewhat negotiated a lower price when I had bought the car.
Currently getting about 40 MPG but my wife gets closer to 45 MPG and both of us have a 'heavy foot'.
Simba

 

You can always come down south and get a rolling chassis there's a place in Georgia with miles of Prius break actuators are fairly cheap used some of these companies now know what they have to do to test them before they kill the vehicle as in completely dismantle it some are on top of their game. I've had success with two replacement so far and it's a far cry from the 17 or 1400 depending upon how you order it from Toyota.