I'm looking into buying a Gen 3/4 Prius dependant on the price/mileage. I have literal 0 knowledge in regards to the hybrid system and how it functions. Owned my Nissan Almera N16 2006 for the past 5 years and carried out my own mechanical work/service of it. Only labour cost I paid for was a new clutch being fit, thankfully the timing chain outlasted the vehicle. Other than that there were no other major repair costs to worry about. I believe the most expensive repair/replacement cost for a Prius is the hybrid battery? I'm going to sound stupid now but does the Prius have a serviceable clutch? Timing belt or chain? What other major costs should I be aware of? If the only major repair/replacement is the hybrid battery, then that doesn't sound as worry some as long as regular service intervals are kept up? That is until the transmission/engine itself fails. Appreciate any insight!
A new battery costs from $2,500 to $4,000, dealers have raised the price due to recent events. There are reconditioned batteries on the secondary market that cost less than $2,000. Is it expensive or not? Everyone makes their own decisions. In the end, you will spend your time restoring the battery and do it yourself for almost nothing. But why did you decide that the battery must necessarily die? There are much fewer such cases in Gen4 than in Gen3. Everything depends on various factors, the car's mileage, maintenance, climate, etc. There is no belt in the hybrid box. Planetary gear, gears. How does it work? Watch.
Gen 3 Prius has many problem areas. I advise that you not buy a Gen 3 Prius. Gen 4 have fewer problems than a Gen 3.
