So, it’s time. My 2010 Prius has been getting the “Check Hybrid System” message along with the code P0A80 for nearly 18 months now, and I think I’ve waited long enough. I’ve been shopping online for a replacement battery, and, while having found plenty, I’m looking for what will work without being overkill. My main dilemma is in price, being that I’ve found prices for what seems like the same battery range from $900-4,000 and really don’t know where is an appropriate place to fall within that range. I don’t want to spend more money than I need to. I bought the car 4 years ago for $8k, and then had to do the unfortunate and replace the engine for $3,500, and now have this repair just around the corner. Including smaller repairs I have nearly $15k invested in maybe a $4-5k car, and I know installing a new battery won’t bring that value up much even though the new engine has less than 10k miles on it. Bottom line is I have a ton more money in this car than it would ever sell for. I’ve been looking at Greentecauto.com, they’ve got 3 options that would work for me, 2 being remans and the other being new. I could get a reman for $1k, or the new for double, and what I’m hoping to gain some insight on is if it would be worth spending the extra grand on the new if that will last significantly longer. The car has 266,000 on it right now, but I hope that with the fairly new engine and a replaced battery I could get another 5-8 years out of it at least. So, is it worth it to spend the extra money and get the new battery, or do you think a reman will last me long enough that I won’t have to make this repair again? Thanks to all for reading.
Getting used or "remanufactured" battery is a huge gamble. High chance of them failing, and the worst time for you. Sure, they warranty it and will replace it, again, and again, and again.... And more down time for you. If you want to go that route, check junk yards for newer used batteries. And install it yourself. It's not really that hard. It seems you really want to drive the car for a long time. So getting a new Sodium battery would be a good investment. Install it and just drive the car. With a new motor, and hybrid battery, you only have to think about the brake booster and pump. I have over 377,000 miles on my 2010. Still going strong.
5-8 years = new, or be prepared for downtime and another rebuilt or two along the way and of course, there will be more repairs on an old high mileage car. has the brake actuator been replaced yet? how is the rust?
Remanufactured battery is pot luck, however I had one in a 2006 that I drove problem free for 3 years and sold the car, last I heard after 2 more years it was still fine....at the time (2014) I paid $600 to have a hybrid shop rebuild the one I had. If you want to drive the car a long time, get a new one and even if other repairs are needed along the way, it is still less costly than getting another car. I never worry about resale value, I just drive it till it isn't worth repairing any more. The true value of a car is what it's worth to you.
