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Got rear-ended last week - wondering about the reliability post accident

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by timothevs, Feb 21, 2019.

  1. timothevs

    timothevs Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2018
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    Location:
    Tampa
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    I swear someone somewhere has something against me driving a Prius. I got rear-ended in my '16 Prius II a couple of years ago, and then, last week my beautiful Prius III '18 got smashed in the rear by an errant kid. Thankfully I had my cameras going so fault was quickly determined, and her insurance is paying for it all.

    It lies in the shop with nearly 8.5k in damages etc., which will take ~ 15 days to fix, with many parts that need to be ordered, and all the sensor recalibration that need to be done. In the meantime, here I sit in my loaner rental Chevy Malibu, hating every minute of my daily commute, watching the gas guzzler go through tank after tank of gas.

    That said, I've been nagged by a doubt since it happened. Even though it is being repaired by the dealer's own body shop, I worry about the reliability of the car after the fixes. Since this is the vehicle I use to cart the kids around, and the main reason I bought it was for the safety features... I wonder if the repaired vehicle will be as reliable. I mean there's a reason why cars with accident histories sell at a fraction of their values.

    What's the point of this post? Not sure, I just wanted to vent. AGH.
     
    #1 timothevs, Feb 21, 2019
  2. Tyfly

    Tyfly Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2016
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    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Sorry that happened. I’ve been rear-ended twice in my ‘17 Prius II. Both times were minor and only one required a new bumper. Makes me wonder if the Prius brake lights are too low or something. Maybe just bad luck or drivers getting worse.

    Look over everything very closely when you get your Prius back. My previous car had hail damage repaired and I took it back 5 times. Ask for diminished value from their insurance company too.
     
    #2 Tyfly, Feb 21, 2019
  3. timothevs

    timothevs Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2018
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    Location:
    Tampa
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    Ugh... : ( Diminished value - I wasn't even thinking of that. Back to fighting with the Insurance company about that. Not even sure how much that would come out to be.

    Drivers are certainly horrible in these parts (Florida), but I believe you may be right about the brake lights.. I need to find a Prius Gen 4 to follow and note.
     
    #3 timothevs, Feb 21, 2019
    Tyfly likes this.
  4. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
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    Location:
    near Brisbane, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I recently followed a PRIUS at night in heavy rain, and the brake lights were fine. You're right - other drivers are getting worse.

    Being rear-ended, I suspect less calibration and reasons for it to go wrong than if it was head-on. There are far more things located at the front of a car than at the rear.

    I guess I'd be more confident that it's being repaired by the dealer - they've got access to all the specifications and calibrations - and warranty. As, I expect any future buyer would consider.

    Not sure what your other options are? I have a work acquaintance who had similar damage - he rang his dealer, asked about trading his 2yr old car? Oh, and it was sideswiped last night and in the towing yard. I've no idea of the $$$ negotiated - but he had an exact same car 2 days later brand new, left the dealer with an insurance claim. He'd discussed it with the insurance company as well, I'm sure.
     
    #4 alanclarkeau, Feb 21, 2019
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