Should I repair my Gen 2 before selling? Thieves stole cat & it needs repairs

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by RT6, Apr 18, 2022.

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  1. RT6

    RT6 Junior Member

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    I'm new here. So, thieves stole our cat converter recently, so now our Gen 2 (256k) needs:
    • catalytic converter (is Walker Universal the best replacement?)
    • rear door window (thieves broke it - they stole the whole car, drove to remote area to take out CC
    • tie rods
    • front bumper (cosmetic - hole where spouse ran into a pickup truck's tow hitch)
    • maybe change out some battery cells (we have a local guy who does this)
    I am somewhat handy, but my thumb and finger joints no longer allow doing car work. All work will need to be done by a garage or maybe a moonlighting mechanic if I can find someone.

    Our plan is to sell the car, either as-is or after some/all repairs. Will we get all repair costs and then some back if we get things repaired at reasonable rates? That's the main question. I know it's not answerable definitively., but any advice is welcome! Thanks,
    Roger
     
    #1 RT6, Apr 18, 2022
  2. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Welcome to PriusChat!!
    Sorry for the loss. Curious how the vehicle was stolen, was it a man in the middle attack or was the key left in the vehicle?
    See what you can get for it as-is, then you wouldn't need to find an affordable mechanic. Expect to need an oxygen sensor. Best to leave the HV battery alone, unless you have DTCs (OBD2 codes) that support swapping out failing modules. What was the current vehicle mpg at?

    FYI : you're moderated until you've posted 5 times.
     
    #2 SFO, Apr 18, 2022
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  3. RT6

    RT6 Junior Member

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    I don't know what a "man in the middle attack" is, but the fob was not left in the car. We live in a townhouse neighborhood in Arlington, VA, and the car was within 30 feet of the closest townhouse door, so it certainly was a brazen theft. And the second one of a Prius that I know of. Yes, aware of the O2 sensor issue.

    I just watched a video on how to replace a door window, and I think I can do that myself.

    Almost two years ago we bought a used battery ($550) from a guy that puts together good cells into a complete unit. He & his brother run an Uber business and maintains a small fleet of Priuses (I don't understand the business model, I thought Uber drivers used their own cars). He sells the batteries as a side business. Very honest, nice guy, has been good on his warranty (had a bad cell), I'd go back to him to have him check the cells, as I think there is a battery problem (car is revving, trying to recharge bad cells). Actually, I forgot he recommended a mechanic next door to his business who is inexpensive. I will call and get some estimates. It's an hour away so driving w/out a muffler will be loud and uncomfortable. But yes, we're thinking sell it as-is to avoid the possibility sunk costs and headaches.
     
    #3 RT6, Apr 18, 2022
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    with the high value of used vehicles, i would do the cat and window. it's not a big job, and will open the market to a lot more buyers.
     
    #4 bisco, Apr 18, 2022
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  5. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

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    In some states you may not be able to sell a car legally with the CEL lit. For instance, in California the car must pass smog before it can be sold, and it cannot pass smog if the CEL is on. I'm pretty sure that there is an exception which would allow such a vehicle to be sold to a dealer, perhaps a mechanic, definitely to a junk yard.
     
    #5 pasadena_commut, Apr 18, 2022
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  6. RT6

    RT6 Junior Member

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    I don't think it's required here in Virginia, but not sure. How do I check that?
     
    #6 RT6, Apr 18, 2022
  7. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    A fellow Virginian mentioned emissions test in this post. May also pertain to 2004.:unsure:

    Emissions Test Fail | PriusChat
     
    #7 alftoy, Apr 18, 2022
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  8. JahT

    JahT Member

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    It refers to a method of amplifying the key fob signal if it is close enough to the parked Prius so that it thinks that the key is in or near the car. Possibly what happened to you if they drove off in it, but your window was broken so who knows. They can't "hot-wire" a Prius so maybe they pushed it or towed it.

    See what you can get done for under a certain budget, say $800-$1000, otherwise I would just try to sell it as is or with bare minimum repairs. I have been able to fix up quite a lot on my 2008 only spending in the hundreds so far by doing most of the work.
     
    #8 JahT, Apr 18, 2022
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  9. Another

    Another Senior Member

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    Fix window and get cheap cat with O2
    Then list it on Craigslist
    Will be sold in days
    Even with 256k miles it should bring in mid four figures easily
    Or sell it to @Tombukt2 without repairs
     
    #9 Another, Apr 19, 2022
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  10. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    #10 alftoy, Apr 19, 2022
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  11. RT6

    RT6 Junior Member

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    Thank you alftoy, I never knew how to find salvage parts. Yep, that's the YouTube video I watched - looks super easy.
     
    #11 RT6, Apr 19, 2022
  12. RT6

    RT6 Junior Member

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    Okay, I picked up a window and installed it over the weekend! The video on gen 2 rear door window is okay, but there's an easier way to deal with removing and reinstalling the tracking piece that extends down into the door. I got stuck on that part, then figured it out after watching Prius gen 2 videos. I.e., to remove the tracking piece more easily, roll window all the way down after you've got the old window unbolted.

    Same for installation of the new window - adjust the window height to line up forward bolt with the access hole, bolt window in, then roll all the way down and reinstall the tracking piece and the rubber trim/seal. Also, you can remove and reinstall the tracking piece from the window area of the door; no need to push it down into the lower door area to get it out or reinstall it (which the gen 2 window video says you must do).

    Thanks all for the help and support!
     
    #12 RT6, Apr 27, 2022
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  13. RT6

    RT6 Junior Member

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    Should say "Prius gen 3 videos."
     
    #13 RT6, Apr 27, 2022
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