Buy Or Sell 2nd gen?

Definitely sell and get another one. 300k miles is the beginning of the end.

 

it just depends on your perspective. if you're the kind of person who likes tinkering, seeing vehicles go beyond average life, doesn't mind not having a reliable vehicle or has a backup, and return on investment isn't important, keep it. otherwise, i'd sell it. all the best with your decision!

 

Sell and buy a non-salvaged Prius b/c you lack sufficient DIY skills:

1) You mentioned a used HV Battery for $750 w/o installation.
2) AC is not working b/c of a possible leak. It would be fixed or attempted w/ sufficient DIY skills.​

Really? You want to buy this off of the Craigslist link you posted above:

It starts right up and drives down the road perfectly. We purchase these from Insurance companies and receive really nice mechanically sound cars and trucks but with body damage you can repair and have a nice car when completed.​

The sellers tell you the body repair can be made whole for $2100 ($5000 - $2900). Bullshite! Show a local body shop the pictures and ask them what they think the repair cost would be. I say it will be $3k range. Labor rates may be cheaper in your area, but not $2100 low, for a properly repaired and painted job.

I have relatives in Nigeria and the UK who win way more Lotteries than they can cash out in their lifetime. They need help cashing all their lotto winnings. In exchange for a sizeable cut, they just want your bank and personal info, to make this happen. I will find one of their emails and forward to you. What could go wrong?

Will insurance companies in your State insure a salvaged vehicle?

If you get another Gen2, you may want to consider getting a new HV Battery instead of used/rebuilt. Expensive yes, but superior longevity and trouble free operation, compared to used/rebuilt HV pack. This new pack can always be transferred into another Gen2, if something were to happen to the vehicle it was in; assuming the HV pack has no damage, esp if the vehicle was in an accident.

Is your life not worth more than $400? Buy the new tires now, so you can drive and brake safely, esp since you are thinking of getting another Gen2. Just transfer the new tires/wheels onto the replacement Prius.

Stop looking at salvaged vehicles.

 

The Gen 2 thread has become home of die hards and true worshipers.

It's OK to let go.

 

For what it's worth, the 05 that I'm currently driving was pegged out at 299,999 a year and a half ago. I have no idea how long it had been pegged out before I bought it last May with a bad engine (previous owner let the water pump belt break and got it hot). Granted, I bought it for the body to fix an 09 with 85k miles that was wrecked on the front end. After the guy at the body shop told me it would be expensive to fix the front of the 09, I decided to move motor, transmission, and all front end parts to the 05. Then for extra measure, I moved all the interior and the tail lights over as well. It's almost like I'm driving an 09 with an 05 VIN. Now my car's major wear items have about 100k miles (I moved the odometer as well). But I did have the parts on hand already.

All that being said, 300k doesn't have to be the end of a car's life. After using the parts I needed from the 09, I sold the battery (after reconditioning it) and recovered most of the money I originally put into it.

 

ELITE AUTO is one of the biggest scams on earth

 

i think there might be a thread here on them.

edit: yes, just type 'elite auto' into the search bar. posted by esteemed member 'ericbecky'.

 

You are a glutton for punishment. You are letting your cheapness override caution and logic.
Rule #1. If it sounds to be good to be true, it is.

If you want to buy anything used/rebuilt/salvaged, Steve at Prius hybrids sales and service Scottsburg Indiana is an honest and reputable person to buy from.
There are also large auto dismantlers on the Internet; search "used car parts," and buy from a large dismantler website, like Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

Since you seem to want to save money, why not start to DIY? Overtime, your knowledge, skills, and confidence will grow, and you can tackle more difficult and complicated repairs.