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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 7,798
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Lexus RX400h Hybrid Battery
My company is getting rid of the owner's car - a 2006 Lexus RX400h. The car is in very good condition and has been maintained by the dealership over the years.
I'm thinking of giving this to my 87 year old mom as her car is starting to fall apart. I'm wondering about the hybrid battery. Is this something that I personally can replace or is this a specialty job. And, does anyone know the approximate cost of this job. I looked on the internet and I see batteries for sale ranging from $1200 to $2000 but on another site there are estimates for replacing the battery at 6-7k, quite a big difference. The car is going to be free to me, and it has about 150k miles on it. The owners live on the east coast and this is CA so the car has basically been used every 6 weeks for highway transportation its entire life. Any thoughts? |
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12-16-2020, 09:47 AM
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Banned
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: los angeles, CA.
Posts: 41,306
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Do some calling around to the shops that specialize in Toyota hybrids in your neck of the woods. They are out there.
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12-16-2020, 09:53 AM
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Control Group
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I suspect that is a job you will want to pay someone else to do.
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She was the kindest person I ever met |
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12-16-2020, 10:15 AM
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Still Doin Time
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nokesville, Va.
Posts: 8,225
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Yes^^^^^^there are very specialized procedures, tools, equipment and PPE. You do not want to mess with high voltage DC battery packs......
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'15 Dodge - 'Dango R/T Hauls groceries and Kinda Hauls *ss '07 Jeep SRT-8 - Hauls groceries and Hauls *ss Sold '85 Guards Red Targa - Almost finished after 17 years '95 Road King w/117ci - No time to ride, see above '77 Sportster Pro-Street Drag Bike w/93ci - Sold |
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12-16-2020, 10:47 AM
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Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,527
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I had a friend use these guys on his Prirus. He had no complaints. Green Bean battery for Lexus RX400h at $2549 including install. Refurbished
https://greenbeanbattery.com/hybrid-battery-replacement-oklahoma/?gclid=CjwKCAiA_eb-BRB2EiwAGBnXXrmTVG3gfFjo4ZpdiaRJa7E9yzYrk5hJc-KtfKxqc11gFcitNsfgkBoC7vYQAvD_BwE 
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12-16-2020, 10:50 AM
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If it's in very good condition why are you replacing the battery?
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12-16-2020, 10:51 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 7,798
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I'm not necessarily going to replace the battery but I've heard that this is the biggest maintenance issue. I want to know up front what I'm dealing with. Also, I want to be able to tell my mom that there could be a battery issue in the future (which I will pay for when the time comes) and I don't want her to worry about it.
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12-16-2020, 11:43 AM
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Banned
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: los angeles, CA.
Posts: 41,306
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Vern, if you’re getting the car for free, don’t worry about a possible $2500 repair bill that may or may not happen soon. Those vehicles are built incredibly well, we had the non-hybrid version for 10 years. It’s a Toyota on steroids.
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12-16-2020, 01:03 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Roseville, CA
Posts: 3,066
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I would do it.
My 2008 Camry Hybrid had 282,000 miles when I sold it 2 years ago to a neighborhood kid, and he is still driving it around without any problems. Just like any potential issue with different cars, sure there COULD be a 3-4k problem somewhere down the road, but I think you'd be hard pressed to find a car without any potential issues I wouldn't hesitate if it were my mom going to be driving it. |
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12-16-2020, 01:04 PM
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AutoBahned
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a friend with a 1999 Prius had to replace the battery - it lasted 18 years
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12-16-2020, 02:03 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 7,798
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Well, I bought a new starter battery for it today. I will take it home tonight and change the oil and wash/wax over the weekend. I will surprise my mom with it this Sunday. She'll probably tell me she likes her old 2000 Buick. Believe me, it's a POS. She needs something newer and this just came along. She's mentioned many times that she really likes the Subaru Legacy so maybe she'll like this too - we'll see.
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12-16-2020, 02:14 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: North of You
Posts: 9,160
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Your moms 87 and you think the battery is the primary concern? Your mother will stop driving before the battery goes.
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"A machine you build yourself is a vote for a different way of life. There are things you have to earn with your hands." |
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12-17-2020, 03:54 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 7,798
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It's Home:
   
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12-17-2020, 08:30 AM
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Quote:
they make a good battery. my money is on your car going a looong long way.
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poof! gone |
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12-17-2020, 08:56 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Roseville, CA
Posts: 3,066
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Ohhh, fancy headlight washers. I'm sure your mom, like everyone else, will never use those
 I dont think you'll regret this. Of course I am biased driving a LS430, but Lexus does make a great product that seems to last longer and require less maintenance that other manufacturers. You might also look into getting a Techstream cable and software. Not only is it great for diagnosing issues, but you can also customize a ton of things. If you're ever near Sacramento with the car, let me know and we can hook it up and set everything up the way your mom might like.
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1992 968 Polar Silver 2010 Toyota Highlander SE 2006 Lexus LS430 ML Last edited by biosurfer1; 12-17-2020 at 09:38 AM.. |
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12-17-2020, 09:35 AM
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Banned
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: los angeles, CA.
Posts: 41,306
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That thing looks mint. SCORE!
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12-17-2020, 02:15 PM
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2004 Mazda Miata
