I learned today that the battery on my 2001 Prius must be replaced, at a cost approaching $3,600. The dealership says it will give me $4,500 trade-in for the car, minus the cost of replacing the battery. That leaves me with virtually nothing. What other options might there be for resale of this car for parts, etc. I live in Des Moines, Ia. Thanks in advance.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dan10 @ Jul 19 2007, 08:01 PM) [snapback]481984[/snapback]</div> there is always the used market for a battery, as the same one is used in the 2001-2003 Prius. Also Toyota pays $200 for all dead Prius batterys. Try Craig's List for a smashed 2k1-2k3 cheap and use the battery from that.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dan10 @ Jul 19 2007, 10:01 PM) [snapback]481984[/snapback]</div> How many miles on the car? How soon do you need to get it working or replaced? Do you have other transportation? Hybridfest is going on this weekend in Madison. That would be one of the best collection of hybrid experts around. Bob Wilson
Unrepaired salvage Prius have sold on ebay for $5k in the past. That price may still be available, but I would not recommend this approach. Rather, search online for battery from LKQ or other salvage vehicle dismantlers. Based on one other person's posts here on Priuschat, a 2003 donor vehicle would be the best source. $600-$1000 price range plus about 3 hrs labor. The failed battery would be worth $200 to Toyota, and possibly more elsewhere. Assuming that your odometer says 100k miles, you could pay about $1100 net to have a vehicle with a real market value of $8-9k. Importantly, we do not know if yours has already had the HV battery reseal. If not, a (dare I say it) more honest Toyota shop could fix you up for $0. Please explore that option.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dan10 @ Jul 19 2007, 10:01 PM) [snapback]481984[/snapback]</div> I saw an ad on Ebay for a 2001-2003 battery with $1,400 with $75 shipping. Another one came up in North Carolina but I snagged that one since it was pick-up only, no shipping. Bob Wilson
If I were in the same situation (and I am mighty close with a 2001 of my own), I would get the battery and would try to sell the car for a lot more than $4500 (like $7000 depending on other factors). It's certainly worth a lot more than the cost of a battery. Obviously, the dealer would make quite a bundle if you go with his "deal". I think you could make this money....or keep the car.
Ya know...... if the car has somewhere close to 100k miles, say only 120k to 130k try contacting TMS. They may yet offer assistance in getting the HV battery replaced. I changed one out for a customer with 123k miles on it after my service manager talked with the district rep. Toyota has had a pretty good track record of standing behind Prius. It can't hurt to ask to speak to the district rep. They might pick up the whole bill or offer to split the cost. Typical for my area is Toyota supplies the part and the customer pays labor.
a last resort alternative is to call a bunch of wrecking yards in your yellow pages. if your car isn't rusty and all the of the body panels are good, you could get $1000 or more for it that way.
