My 2012 PIP Failed me

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by mikenewmediary, Oct 24, 2016.

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  1. mikenewmediary

    mikenewmediary Member

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    Been a while since I posted on this forum, but wanted to give an update on my 2012 PIP which was purchased online which I tracked delivery with other owners direct from Japan (Bisco).

    Back in July my AC stopped working. My local mechanic injected dye, and did not detect a leak. He thought it was a compressor, and told me he would not try to replace it as it was part of the Hybrid system.

    I brought my PIP to the place I purchased, and was told that it was the A/C Cpmpressor and it would cost 2500.00 to replace.

    I was devasted, (car was out of warranty 62,000) and felt I was being taken advantage of, as the compressor could be purchased for 650.00.

    I walked out of service, and into the dealer and asked to get it appraised. I ended up getting 16K, which I put toward a 2014 RAV 4. They didn't check the A/C, and felt some what vindicated as I knew they were taking advantage of me.

    Long story short, I miss my PIP. Im filling this RAV 4 up twice a week getting 27 MPG compared to the 80 MPG.

    Where do I go from here? I put a deposit on the Tesla Model 3.

    Time will tell.

    My best to everyone.
    Mike
     
    #1 mikenewmediary, Oct 24, 2016
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  2. drash

    drash Senior Member

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    You actually got a pretty good price for your PiP. They are actually valued at about $12,000 to $14,000.
     
    #2 drash, Oct 24, 2016
  3. mikenewmediary

    mikenewmediary Member

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    Thanks Drash.
    The crazy thing is that I see my car on the dealers lot @ 18.5K, but they are selling it as an advanced and mine is not.
    I think they messed up !@!@!

    I only hope the peple that go to buy it figure out it does not have leather seats and all the tech with advanced..
    They were really porking me, and I had no choice.

    When I got my RAV, it didn't have front floor mats (oversight on my part). I was told sale is final!
    Best part of my story... I did not give them the charging cable, and they called asking for it.....I told them, sale was final!
     
    #3 mikenewmediary, Oct 24, 2016
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  4. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Nice.

    How about trade charging cable for NEW front floor mats, NEW trunk mat, three oem air filter, three oem cabin air filter, etc.

    Next time:
    Call Toyota Customer Care and ask for goodwill assistance. Maybe they will cover it 100% or maybe it will be 50% for you.
    Price shop other dealers. Someone will have a lower price.​

    EDIT;
    New compressor for you PIP is $1,470.11. Compressor | Genuine Toyota | 88370-47082
    Used compressors run the range $150-$400

    What about the Chevy Bolt coming out next month? I know, the Model 3 will be nicer, but at least you can get into an electric car now vs how much longer.
     
    #4 exstudent, Oct 24, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2016
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    ugh. i remember our time together tracking our pips on ships. :) i was hoping they were immune to these expensive low mile problems. if it happens to me, i think i would move away from toyota (after trying for goodwill assistance) that's just not right. all the best with your tesla, i think you made the right move!(y)
     
    #5 bisco, Oct 24, 2016
  6. PriusC_Commuter

    PriusC_Commuter Active Member

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    A coworker's friend also traded in his Prius (3rd gen Liftback) due to a quote of $2500 to fix the AC. It's bad on Toyota's part in my opinion to see people dumping Prius's due to the air conditioning of all things.
     
    #6 PriusC_Commuter, Oct 25, 2016
  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Try the goodwill routes first. I had a steering intermediate shaft issue with my 2010, dealer quoted $620 to fix. I called Toyota and they covered the repair.

    Most of my repairs have been covered by Toyota, one way or another. Just have to ask

    SM-N900P ?
     
    #7 JC91006, Oct 25, 2016
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    do you have them serviced regularly at a dealer?
     
    #8 bisco, Oct 25, 2016
  9. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    I had the AC go on my Corolla and they quoted in the $2k range. I wrote a bad yelp review because they bungled quite a few things including keeping my car 3 days to diagnose that I needed new fan belts. What about the AC? The sole reason I brought it in? Manager called me back and said he'd get me sorted. And he did for a lot less than $1000.

    I'm with you on this. AC is a deal breaker for me. It has to work or I'm trading it in. I've got 113k on my PiP thus far without issue. Why did you go with a RAV4 and not another Prius. It's gonna be 2019 before you get your model 3.
     
    #9 mmmodem, Oct 25, 2016
  10. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    No, I bring the cars to the dealer for recalls mostly. I do everything else myself or bring to my mechanic. I visit the dealer when I want to make a request for goodwill repair

    The dealer/corporate shows I have multiple Toyotas, so maybe that has a lot to do with their decision making.

    SM-N900P ?
     
    #10 JC91006, Oct 25, 2016
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    could be. when i was talking with corp about the pip battery, they seemed reluctant to move forward when i told them i had our cars serviced at a local mechanic. having owned 6 toyota's in the last 15 years didn't seem to mean much.
     
    #11 bisco, Oct 26, 2016
  12. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    nonsense, he was just afraid to learn new things.

    agree. i see tons of cheap used AC compressors on ebay.

    the problem here is not with a car itself but rather lack of affordable car repair alternatives in USA (besides DIY).
     
    #12 Former Member 68813, Oct 26, 2016
  13. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    You guys that have the AC going out...
    Curious to hear your usage patterns that may have caused at least in part the early demise of your AC.

    Lots of defrosting (which is essentially AC usage) during very cold months could be hard on the compressor. I'm no mechanic though.
     
    #13 markabele, Oct 27, 2016
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    does it kick on below a certain temp?
     
    #14 bisco, Oct 27, 2016
  15. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    there should be a thermocouple in the evaporator that should stop AC below freezing point.
     
    #15 Former Member 68813, Oct 27, 2016
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  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    May Canadian 2010 runs AC if:

    1. The AC button is pushed, lit up.
    2. Sometimes, if the mode is set to heat/defog. (maybe dependent on humidity, ambient temp?)

    And of course if you push the font Defog button.

    It seems like the cost repairing almost anything is through the roof. I hope this "bubble" bursts, and soon.
     
    #16 Mendel Leisk, Oct 27, 2016
  17. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Did you use the A/C all the time? Also, Tesla reliability on the X is very poor. Who knows what to expect on the 3. I would rather stay with Toyota.
     
    #17 orenji, Oct 27, 2016
  18. mikenewmediary

    mikenewmediary Member

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    So, I thought about the Bolt and it really looks like an alternative that will work without having much range anxiety.
    What I really like about Tesla is the Autonomous driving, and all the over the air updates to improve the car.
    I waited 5 months for my PIP(which seemed forever), and am realistically looking at another year or so before delivery.

    I drove by a Model S a few weeks back, and the driver was on his phone. We were in stop and go traffic, and the car just drove.
    I know this doesn't seem safe, and not recommended but it has to be better than being on your phone without this feature.

    * Side note, the driver put his phone down long enough for him to actually comb his hair with both hands off the wheel.
     
    #18 mikenewmediary, Nov 5, 2016
  19. mikenewmediary

    mikenewmediary Member

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    Bisco,
    I really miss that car. I was so mad at the dealer. The only nice thing about my RAV is when I need to pack it for long rides for my daughter's softball tournament.
    Yes, at the beginning people were afraid of the battery dying, and the complexities of the electric motor and the lack of a real spare tire, which I solved when I purchased a full tire from someone on this message board. I actually ended up needing, and using that spare !!
    The AC compressor did me in. Best part, I sold the car back to them with the broken A/C.

    -Mike
     
    #19 mikenewmediary, Nov 5, 2016
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  20. mikenewmediary

    mikenewmediary Member

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    MModem,
    The plan was for me to drive the RAV, until I got my Model 3. Once my car delivered I am going to give the RAV to my oldest daughter to replace her 2004 CRV.

    Anything that I have read about the Model 3 are deliveries to begin in late 2017(Tesla has been notorious about missing deadlines). I was also one of the first 100K to put in a reservation so I'm probably looking at Winter of 2018(My wife thinks I'm insane, but this is what I want)
     
    #20 mikenewmediary, Nov 5, 2016
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