Elite Auto - Beware. Craigslist hybrid battery ads should make you leery

Just got a 2005 Prius with 199K miles on it and I was pretty confident buying it, since the battery was replaced in June 2016.
Seller mentioned that the guy drove all the way from Missouri to Wisconsin to install it. So I got suspicious about such a courtesy and checked the invoice with warranty that he provided. And it says "Elite Auto", Written By: Michael Mouri, Technician: Jeff Armstrong. That's how I found this thread. I wish i saw it before I bought the car. I better start saving for a another rebuild. Welcome to the club.

Not sure how to check how good the battery is, I am getting around 42.5 mpg in mixed cycle (60% highway) while trying to follow all the advises how to get the most MPG and sometimes it charges to green indicator.

 

And when you didn't think it could get any worse, they are now offering "Will also do a 2 year warranty for $950." And I'm thinking, from experience, but you wouldn't warranty several batteries in the 1 year warranty you sold people?

 

I want to share a positive CraigsList hybrid battery repair experience with Armstrong Hybrid Automotive Repair Service, Owensville MO. We have a gen II 05 Prius whose battery failed at 200K last Aug 2017. Jeff, the owner, came to our house and installed a reconditiioned used pack for $700. He is a straight forward honest man. He explained things to my wife was courteous and efficient. The battery came with a one year guarantee and today he came out and put a new reconditioned pack in the car. No additional charge. He checked out the system and we are good to go again. I know there is always a risk with using reconditioned batteries failing but for what he is charging that is a risk I am willing to take. If you don’t want the risk go to the dealer and have them sell you a new one.

 

It is my understanding that Jeff previously worked for a different company and is now on his own. He has been doing this since 2013.

 

thanks and welcome!

that is a classic story of reconditioned battery failure. fortunately, the good news is that you got a decent company that followed up.
the bad news is that you only have 5 months left before your next $700.

 

And also, within 2 years, you will have spent nearly $2,800 in battery replacements and time lost. There is a guy in here (priuschat) somewhere that sells brand new "round cell" batteries for a darn good price. I think it was $2,000, and you get to keep your core.

 

Premature. Report back in 3 years. Why 3 years. The longer the time period, the greater the likley hood of other modules in the "rebuild" failing.

Am I the only one thinking this is a convenient advertisement for "Jeff"? Joined yesterday. 2 posts.

$700 for Frankenstein is a bargain? $700 is 43% of the cost of a new HV Battery, $700/$1600.

For me, as of 2-25-2018, Camelback Toyota has a new HV pack for $1800. It is likley they will drop to $1700, buy pointing out other Online Toyota dealers' lower price; sometimes they match. 700/1700 = 41% cost of a new HV battery.

If one can NOT DIY, then there will be additional costs.

 

If you DIY the OEM pack only has a 1 year warranty. @2k1Toaster 's new cell kit is $1600 shipped and you keep your core. It has a 2 year unlimited miles warranty. You might even be able to resell some of your old modules to recoup some cost.

 

NewPriusBatteries

2k1Toaster is the member's ID here.

PC Thread where he showcases the cylindrical replacement kit:
Prius Battery Replacement Kit (GenII/GenIII) with NEW custom cells | PriusChat

His company's website selling his cylindicarl cells.
NewPriusBatteries

His kit is a great option for those who can't get a Toyota dealer to sell the HV pack to them and/or the dealer won't match or lower thier price of other Toyota delaers who sell online.

Some online Toyota dealers are selling the HV packs for $1600. I found Olather sells for $1625, close enough.

 

the only thing we don't have on the new aftermarket kit is long term usage reporting.

 

Forgot about selling the modules which would lower the total purchase price.

However, I will stick with something that is proven, esp since there really is no cost difference. Even Matt of Texas Hybrid Batteries shares this overall view.

When new OEM HV packs were $2K, I was contemplating 2k1Toasters cylindrs. But, now that pricese are pretty much equal, I am hard pressed to go this route, esp since I know there are dealerships who will sell to me, at online prices, and I can DIY.

Those who don't live near a dealer who will sell to them at online prices, then 2k1Toasters cylinder replacements is probably for them.

I do wish 2k1Toaster all the success. Its unfortunate for him that Toytoa has lowered the HV pack price. But he should still do well, as not all the dealers will sell this item to the lublic, and at online prices of other Toyota dealerships.

 

Unfortunatley no.

In time this will come.

IIRC, Eric Becky in Madison, installed a kit in his company's Prius, and all has been going well.

 

that is correct, but ten years is a long ways away.
what he still has going for him is that low pricing on toyota packs is not widely available.
i would give one a shot for say, a $500. difference.

 

True but will any of those online dealers ship? Your example specifically states they can't ship. They have a 1 year warranty for DIY vs 2 years for the aftermarket one. I know @ericbecky put over 3000 miles on one while monitoring closely before removing it from his work car. That kit is currently on loan to one of his customers. The aftermarket link is in my signature but I think it is backordered.

 

And better warranty for DIY 2 years unlimited miles vs 1 year OEM for DIY. Shipping is also included for continental US.

 

i don't put any stock in the warranties. if i were concerned about the first two years, i'd go with a rebuilt.

shipping can be uge, and part of what i consider to be 'the cost'.

 

Correct. I am aware of NO dealerships who will ship the HV Battery b/c it is cost prohibitive. It is considered hazardous materials and requires FedEx Hazardous Shipping; SUPER EXPENSIVE.

I reference Olathe b/c they, along with Camelback are my preferred online sites for pricing. Olathe happens to be $1625, while Camelback is at $1803. Camelback has in the past matched or lowered their price to other online Toyota dealers when I asked. Will they lower to $1625? I will know when it comes time for purchase, assuming $1625 is the lowest price online.

In the case of the HV battery, I will have to pay online, and pick-up at the retail counter. Camelback and San Bernardino are set-up for this.

Picking up will just be a short road trip. It helps that I have a company car, so gas is of no concern. In fact, the more I drive, the sooner I will be swapped into another new vehicle. I am fortunate in this regard.

You seem to be hung up on 1 year Warranty when DIY vs 3YrWarranty when installed by Toyota. Ask Eric or Matt if they feel if a new OEM Toyota pack will fail in one year or three years? The both have said no. A new OEM HV pack will likely last another 8-10 years, IMO. I am sure they both would agree with 8-10 years for a new OEM HV pack.

A replacement OEM HV Pack will not be possible for some due to dealerships not selling to them and/or dealerships who won't match/lower pricing to the other online Toyota dealers. For these people, 2k1Toaster's cylindrical kit is probably for them. For someone like me, who knows which dealerships will sell to me, and will match or lower their pricing to other online dealerships, going OEM is an easy decision. Yes, I will have to pick-up. 1 dealership is an hour away, another is a very short road trip away. But I am aware of this and prepared to do this when the time comes.

 

You are unusual. Most people prefer delivery to their door. that is one reason why Amazon Prime is so popular.