"New" battery from Toyota:

Please share which dealer is offering that over the counter price.

 

OK.....so what about shipping ??
That likely would cost a LOT......if you can find a carrier that would take it.
And what about "core deposit" ?
I think there have been other reports of $1600 prices.

And....just sitting idle for a new battery of the types used in the HV pack should NOT be a problem.......unless maybe it was made 15 years ago.

 

i thought they wouldn't ship batteries, have you asked?

nevertheless, i have read a couple accounts where the batteries are within a year old because toyota doesnt overstock them. you usualy have to wait.

when you consider how long cars can sit around from battery build the car build through shipping and then on the lot, i don't think it is an issue.

and that's the best price i've ever heard of. what does online only mean, you order and pay for it, then pick it up?

 

You can read month and year of manufacturer on the modules serial code... From what I've seen they don't sit around for very long. And even if they did you're buying something that is going to be without any problem for more than a decade.

As for inventory, my understanding of it is back when they were charging $4K for a replacement pack they didn't sell many of them, but once they saw all the businesses selling rebuilt packs and brand new aftermarket packs in the $1K to $2K range they decided to contract for a massive order on a scale / price break that their competitors would have a harder time competing with. Like all production these days it's on a "just in time" scale because storing inventory isn't as profitable as making them at the same rate as you sell them.

 

they might have a run on batteries now that it's exposed, get it before they jack up the price!

 

There is a refundable core fee. Generally around $1300. So you pay the pack price + $1300.

Then you can walk out with the battery and take it home.

You will take a bunch of items off of your old battery, transfer them to the new battery. Like your computer, contactors, vent hoses, etc.

Then package up your old battery to return as a core.

Finally you get your $1300 back

Be sure to check your computer connectors for corrosion. Replace the computer with a used one in good condition if needed.

And for your original question, they are relatively fresh. I would not be too worried.

 

Old Wrench It: Did you end up buying the battery from Toyota, or did you go with the cylindrical battery? If you did, how did it go? Did they refund you for returning the core? I’m considering doing the same thing with a local Toyota dealer in San Diego.

 

Battery - 2004-2009 Toyota Prius (G9510-47031) | Tracy Toyota Parts

1596.24 in Tracy today (5/4/2020). I think you live in the bay area so thats a lot closer than so cal.

 

I understand that. I was replying to SFO, he lives in Northern California. You got a good price for So Cal.

 

That is absolutely true. Your way better off getting the internet price and choosing "pickup at counter" for the shipping method. Even for antifreeze. I needed some antifreeze a couple of months ago and it was like 35 dollars for a gallon of ready mix. I couldn't find the online part number but It would be about 10 bucks less. That price is ludicrous, I pay 20 low something bucks for antifreeze you have to mix 50-50 with distilled for my BMW for crying out load.

 

Kinda bizarre, I mean it's more convenient to lock in your purchase online. Same up here, with a lot of stores, btw.