New Head Gasket, Engine Rebuild, or Sell...

Hello Everyone,
My name's Carl and I'm from SoCal.
Completely new here and can already tell you guys are the subject matter experts.

I have a 2013 Prius (Two, I think), with 185K mi.

I recently made the decision to not buy a Tesla, like all other Californians and invest in my Prius.
Here's the work I've put into the car in the past year:

• @150K miles, self performed
  • cleaned throttle body
• @ 165K miles w/local hybrid mechanic:
  • $1,000- Replaced ABS Pump and Accumulator and brake fluid flush @ 167k mi.
  • $120- Replaced sway bar links
• @ 175K miles w/local hybrid mechanic:
  • $900
    • EGR deep cleaning (Valve, cooler, and pipes)
    • Intake manifold cleaning
    • Throttle body cleaning
    • Air mass flow sensor cleaning
    • Fuel injectors cleaning and testing
    • new spark plugs
    • new pvc valve
  • $185- HV battery fan cleaning
  • $245- transmission fluid drain and replace
• @ 180K miles, self performed
  • New front wheel bearings
  • New CV Axles

The engine is now doing the "cold-start engine rattle"!

• Just marked, with a sharpie, the coolant reservoir and looks like the level has dropped about 1/16" to 1/8".
• heater in the morning sometimes doesn't blow hot until I've driven about 5-10 mins.
• I'm going to do a "cylinder splash" test tonight... saw this on YouTube where this guy pulls the coils and lays some white paper over the coil holes and identifies the cylinder with splash.
• Engine is also consuming a TON of oil! I change the oil every 5K and have to add 2-3 quarts between services.

I'm pretty good with wrenching but replacing the head gasket on my own seems like a weekend job that might go bad if I make just one mistake putting it back together.

I like this car, and was hoping to keep it a couple more years, but just seems like there's so many things that can go wrong... biggest thought looming over my head is the battery replacement.

I'm going to start comparing the costs between:

• replacing the head gasket
• doing a complete engine rebuild (leaning most towards)
• Selling as is and buying another used vehicle.

If anyone knows of great Prius mechanics in the Riverside, Orange County, or Los Angeles area, please let me know, I'd like to get at least three comparables.

Thanks for reading Prius Peeps!

 

I'll look them up, thanks Brian.