MAIN BATTERY DEAD

so uh, what happened?

you'd be i think the 2nd or 3rd hybrid battery replacement known in north america.

the warranty covers you for 8 years/100k.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Nov 17 2006, 09:40 PM) [snapback]351285[/snapback]</div>

My battery dies a couple weeks ago with my 2002 Prius with 119,00 miles on it. The dealer has quoted mya price of 3,700 to replace it, and Toyota is offering me a $1500 cash rebate toward the replacement cost. Has any had a similar experience? Needless to say, I'm not to happy with having to pay this much money to replace a battery that's covered for 150,00 miles on the later Prius models. I need to make a decision real quick on what to do--any advise would be much appreciated. you can write me at [email protected].
Thanks, John Laue

 

Your net cost would be $2200. Can you get another car as nice as the Prius for that much?

 

Depending on your financial situation, brand new 2007 Prius have some really good discounts and financing right now. Maybe you need a new car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lauejp @ Apr 16 2007, 01:19 AM) [snapback]423872[/snapback]</div>

My dealer in Manassas VA quoted me $3,000 for a HV battery replacement. The $700 must be for installation. I'd shop around for a better price. Another alternative is a used battery from an auto junkyard for about $800. Also, you never know what's on Ebay.

 

Why is this discussion in the PriusChat Shop Forum?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jtmhog @ Apr 16 2007, 07:27 AM) [snapback]423899[/snapback]</div>

$3K is the list price. You can get them at a discount from several places on line. Eg: Hoy Fox at $2400:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ind...amp;catalogid=2

$700 installation sounds awfully high. And don't forget the $200 (? I think) rebate for returning the old battery.

- Tom

 

I would rather have a dead HV battery in a Prius than a major auto trans rebuild in a conventional car or truck. The cost is about the same, but I reason that the likelihood of the car working as normal again would be a lot higher with the battery replacement. Plus the amount of downtime would be a lot less assuming the battery is available.

Of course, I'm hoping my battery will outlive the 10yr/150k warranty.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jtmhog @ Apr 16 2007, 07:27 AM) [snapback]423899[/snapback]</div>

jtmhog, you don't say whether you have the newer or older style Prius. Even so ... do as Evan says! If you need a new HV battery go to ebay for a tiny fraction of your quoted price!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dogfriend @ Apr 16 2007, 07:39 PM) [snapback]424304[/snapback]</div>

Please don't use nonsense like this to try to defend the Prius's weak point.

A conventional automatic transmission is a straightforward mechanical device that is easily rebuilt, and you'd never know it wasn't the original unit.

And what about those who choose manual transmissions? A 4 cylinder Accord with manual transmission is a jewel of engineering, and is extremely difficult to break--virtually impossible, as long as you give it regular oil changes.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lauejp @ Apr 16 2007, 12:19 AM) [snapback]423872[/snapback]</div>

I'd try a few other dealers. Especially if I had been servicing it regularly.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cc9150 @ Apr 16 2007, 08:23 PM) [snapback]424418[/snapback]</div>

I wasn't trying to defend any "weak point". I was giving my honest opinion. I was trying to give some perspective to what many people give as a reason not to buy a hybrid vehicle. I don't see it as the end of the world; a battery can be replaced with less effort than repairing an auto transmission.

I don't think its nonsense.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cc9150 @ Apr 16 2007, 11:23 PM) [snapback]424418[/snapback]</div>

um. let's look at this more closely, shall we?

prius battery: remove some panels, unplug battery. remove battery. put in new battery. plug battery in. replace panels. tada. extremely difficult to screw up.

auto trans: i just asked DH how many ways there are to screw up a trans replacement, and he told me it would be much faster to count the ways to not screw it up.

and funny you should mention hondas... since the guy who works next to DH just spent a whole lotta time replacing the third clutch on his prelude. i also doubt that the car prevents you from damaging the clutch as the prius does with the battery. weak point? not really, given how few actually have failed without improper operation conditions (out of gas and ran battery down on classic) or warranty-voiding activities.

 

My Prius battery also died a couple weeks ago--unfortunately, my warranty ran out at 100,000 for my 2002 Prius, and I have 119,000 miles on it--they want $3700 to pay for it--ouch! Please contact me if you have any info on replacement costs or anyone else with similar problems: [email protected] Thanks, John L

 

The battery IS the weak point in the Prius--there's no way around that.

There's a 92 Civic Si running around with around 160K miles on the clock on its factory clutch. That much I do know.

For the same money as replacing the battery at the dealer, one can get a rebuilt transmission installed--one that was rebuilt in a facility dedicated to the task. It's not rocket science.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cc9150 @ Apr 17 2007, 03:31 AM) [snapback]424521[/snapback]</div>

Well it's good to know that the weak point in the Prius is the HV battery. Seeing as how they have only had a handful of failures in North America I feel much more confident in my purchase of one of the most realiable cars made according to one of the newer issues of Consumer Reports. BTW do you have some facts, stats and cites I can use or should I just quote you?

Wildkow