Ownership Concern

Your worries are not valid.
Something could go wrong, of course. But it isn't typical. Replacing the battery isn't that big of a deal now days. Check out YouTube for some informational videos.
Also, if you trade it in, a plug in car like the Prius prime would be a good choice if you do mostly short trips.
But, if you do want to sell it, hit me up!

 

Probably not. But to some (many?) people, having to spend over $1000 on a car repair IS a big deal.

Use is likely a much bigger factor in battery aging than time is.
The expected life is stated in the number of complete charge-discharge cycles......not in a number of years.

 

My opinion....driving only 5 or 6 thousand miles per year kind of defeats the purpose of owning a Prius since you're considering a non hybrid gas fueled car anyway. I don't think your battery will just suddenly die at the eight year mark but I do think you could get a good price for it right now with 30k miles on it. I would sell it and buy the non hybrid and eliminate the eventual problem of the cost of a replacement battery since you don't drive it enough to save any substantial amount of money on gasoline.
Unless you just like the Prius...then keep it and don't worry about it, the battery may last 12-15 years, who knows?

 

get the lexus, sounds like fun

 

I say that's cheaper than a new transmission for a Ford F-150!
It's about half that price if you do it yourself.
I'm capable of that but not everyone is.

 

Search Green Bean Batteries on this site... no shortage of information.

I'll give you the Reader's Digest version: you're just buying someone else's old, used battery. If you're replacing a battery, go new. @2k1Toaster sells a tested, proven aftermarket NEW battery for about the same price as Green Bean and other "rebuilders".

 

Enjoy the Prius and keep it until 2023. Sell it before the manufacturer warranty on the traction battery runs out. The Prius should still have low miles, based on your commute, and you should still command a good price on the used car market.

 

WHY get rid of the car just because of the battery?
People pay $1500 and up for a used engine, why not for the hybrid battery?
And if the car is paid for, it's the least expensive car you'll own.
Everyone should set aside a certain amount of money each paycheck toward repairs for the car.
So when you need it, you'll have it. $1700 is lot less than $6000 and up for another used vehicle.

 

I have a 2015 with same mileage. Paid off almost 1 year ago.
IF, i went same route and purchased another car, it would cost me $6000/yr in payments.

BUT, I now have a car paid off with no payments.
I plan to keep it until warranty runs out, and then keep it even longer.

It gets driven few miles here, few miles there and then more miles on trips.
Still saves me at the pump.

If and when battery needs to be replaced, I have 100% confidence that I can put in a new one myself.

IF Toyota releases something that catches my eye, I might think totally different tho.

Also, I do not want to go backwards into a gasoline only vehicle.
Might be different for others.

Good Luck with your decision. But give more time to think about it.
I highly prize both my Toyota Prius

 

IF.....you would have continued making pseudo-car payments to yourself.....you now would have $6000 in the bank towards paying cash for the next one, whenever that happens.

And I think there have really been no significant technological improvements in vehicles in more than 10 years and we are overdue.
Hopefully the "next generation" will be ready when you are.

 

I say they are completely valid.

Lots of examples have shown that hybrids need to be driven to perform to the fullest capability. Short, infrequent drives are very hard on the HV battery, add in a hot climate (Oklahoma) that is also known to shorten battery longevity, and it's a tough life. Short drives also mean low mpg's so the hybrid "payback" is so far down the road it is never seen.

Plug-in or traditional ICE are better for the OP's situation but if the 2015 is paid off, replacing the HV battery with a NEW one is still the best option in terms of lowest costs+reliability.

 

If you put just $3000 aside, you'll easily be able to replace battery and have money left over.
Labor is usually the highest cost. So being able to do it yourself is best. And learning is good
also. Unless you are physically unable you.
Waiting for "new" tech is not worth the effort, at least not for me, or most people. Unless the mpg go up
50% it's just more things to go wrong, cost more money.
Heater, air conditioning, radio, cruise control, most important stuff. Everything else is just toys.
You don't NEED anything else.
Electric window, door locks, anti stop brakes, etc, are nice...

 

If you buy a non-hybrid car, then the chances go up that you will have to repair or replace other parts like the transmission, brakes, starter, and alternator. On average, the total cost of ownership of a Prius, including battery replacement, is not higher than for a comparable non-hybrid car.

Also, when the hybrid battery does go bad, it typically does not suddenly completely fail without warning. When the first signs of battery weakness come, you usually have some weeks to decide on the best solution.

If you are not able to overcome your battery life anxiety, or if you find a good deal on a car that you like better, then I would even encourage you sell your Prius. There are many who would love to drive one, and are not uncomfortable with repairing or replacing the battery if or when the time comes.

(As a disclaimer, I may be a little biased, since my HV battery is still going strong after twelve years and 300,000 miles.)

 

No.

Economy experts say using EV a lot actually lowers hybrid efficiency. And that's as far as I'm going to go down this rabbit hole! LOL There is a ton of info here in the economy sub-forums.

GOOD LUCK!

 

You heard it on the Internet so it MUST be true......right ??
The battery is there to be USED. Use it and don't worry.