Not Time To Buy A New Car?

[jyl]

This seems like a bad time to buy a car, no?

Wife’s Prius threw a code, main battery going bad - after 15 years and 230,000 miles, I’m not too unhappy. $1600 installed for a rebuilt third party battery. My first reaction was - nope, time for a new car. Then I went and looked at what’s available at what prices. Hmm, getting another year or so from the Prius is looking like a better idea. I’m pretty sure in a year I’ll be able to buy a new car for at least $1600 less than I’d pay today. And I’ll have a well-used but still sound Prius that I can give to someone who needs it.

Critique of that reasoning?

[speeder]

It's a terrible time to be trying to buy a new car, from everything I've heard. I'd fix the Prius.

[BReif61]

We were just in the market for a new car, and found "new" inventory was frustratingly low. Used prices seemed high to compensate.

I'll echo Denis; fix it and wait.

[Chocaholic]

Unless of course, it’s a new Gladiator!

[Steve Carlton]

I think it depends on the make and model. The chip shortage has affected the availability of a lot of new cars.

[dmcummins]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Unless of course, it’s a new Gladiator!

There’s never a bad time to buy a Jeep.

[asphaltgambler]

Retail prices on new are whatever they can fetch, used vehicles especially loaded SUV''s and trucks are tracking with real estate prices. Everyday, keeps going higher......

[pwd72s]

Must be something to the chip shortage. Snapped foot tendon became problematic enough that I've been looking into selling my manual 5 speed Mustang, getting a new 5.0 GT with performance pak and the new 10 speed dual clutch automatic. HA! Internet searches reveal Ford dealers near me having only a few base 4 banger "ecoboost" 'Stangs.

One exception was the Salem Ford dealer having a 10 speed auto Mach one...asking "only" a $10K additional dealer markup. Well, that's biz...he has every right to ask it. I also have the right to say no.

All this to say..yep..the new car shortage seems real. Especially with the more desireable models. So, I'm waiting & watching. No real hurry. I mean, how much car do I need to drive to my favorite pool hall?

[berettafan]

Wtf is a rebuilt battery?

Man I feel old.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by berettafan

Wtf is a rebuilt battery?

Man I feel old.

They rebuild it just like they do with an alternator but they use different stuff. I may be wrong but the big battery unit is made up of many smaller batteries. Suspect this is what is replaced.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by berettafan

Wtf is a rebuilt battery?

Man I feel old.

It is a misnomer as a 'battery' usually refers to a battery pack. Of which consists of, in the case of a EV, a bunch of little cells.

"A Prius' battery consists of 28 Panasonic nickel-metal hydride modules. Each of these contains six 1.2-volt cells says Green Car Reports. They are connected in a series and will produce a total of 201.6 volts."
(Google response to "how many cells in a Prius battery")

[jyl]

Originally Posted by berettafan

Wtf is a rebuilt battery?

Man I feel old.

Its the big 260 volt battery that powers the electric motors in this hybrid car. When the Prius first came out, replacement batteries were $7K and people were afraid they'd only last 5 years. So in 2006 I talked to cab drivers who had 350K miles on their original Prius battery, looked at the 8 year warranty on the battery, and figured it was going to be okay. And it has been.

This little car gets 35 mpg in city/highway if you drive like my wife (accelerating to red lights, etc), 45 mpg if you drive like me. The car it replaced was a '96 Range Rover that got <10 mpg around town, and remember what gas cost in 2006 . . .

In 15 years the only work it has needed were new headlights (ouch HID bulbs are spendy) and a new audio amp (bought for $40 off eBay and replaced it myself). Now it is getting pretty old and we were planning to retire it soon, but I hate buying stuff when there are shortages and price gouging.

Okay, putting in the third party battery and getting another year from this car - I figure the shortages should be over by then.

[gacook]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

Retail prices on new are whatever they can fetch, used vehicles especially loaded SUV''s and trucks are tracking with real estate prices. Everyday, keeps going higher......

Seems counter intuitive to the surging gas prices. I bought a brand new truck last month (diesel 1500 Silverado) and got a killer deal on it. Maybe it depends on where you live?

[1990C4S]

The repair is a no brainer to me. The car is close to worthless without it.

Fix it and drive it until you find something you like.

That battery probably uses pouches, not cells. But depending on the 'repair' they may replace all the pouches, or only the worn out pouches.

If you go the repair route do your homework first.

[gacook]

Originally Posted by jyl

Its the big 260 volt battery that powers the electric motors in this hybrid car. When the Prius first came out, replacement batteries were $7K and people were afraid they'd only last 5 years. So in 2006 I talked to cab drivers who had 350K miles on their original Prius battery, looked at the 8 year warranty on the battery, and figured it was going to be okay. And it has been.

This little car gets 35 mpg in city/highway if you drive like my wife (accelerating to red lights, etc), 45 mpg if you drive like me. The car it replaced was a '96 Range Rover that got <10 mpg around town, and remember what gas cost in 2006 . . .

In 15 years the only work it has needed were new headlights (ouch HID bulbs are spendy) and a new audio amp (bought for $40 off eBay and replaced it myself). Now it is getting pretty old and we were planning to retire it soon, but I hate buying stuff when there are shortages and price gouging.

Okay, putting in the third party battery and getting another year from this car - I figure the shortages should be over by then.

You may want to look into diesel vehicles, versus the hybrids. Most diesel commuter vehicles will get at least the mileage you mention above...and last a whole lot longer (not to mention are actually "cleaner").

[drcoastline]

$1,600.00 sounds a whole lot cheaper than anew car (not that I want to see a Prius live). Heck if it only lasts three months probably cheaper than the payment. Every day over that is money in the bank.

[KNS]

Originally Posted by drcoastline

$1,600.00 sounds a whole lot cheaper than anew car (not that I want to see a Prius live). Heck if it only lasts three months probably cheaper than the payment. Every day over that is money in the bank.

On top of that, with the new car your vehicle registration and insurance will be significantly higher.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Must be something to the chip shortage. Snapped foot tendon became problematic enough that I've been looking into selling my manual 5 speed Mustang, getting a new 5.0 GT with performance pak and the new 10 speed dual clutch automatic. HA! Internet searches reveal Ford dealers near me having only a few base 4 banger "ecoboost" 'Stangs.

One exception was the Salem Ford dealer having a 10 speed auto Mach one...asking "only" a $10K additional dealer markup. Well, that's biz...he has every right to ask it. I also have the right to say no.

All this to say..yep..the new car shortage seems real. Especially with the more desireable models. So, I'm waiting & watching. No real hurry. I mean, how much car do I need to drive to my favorite pool hall?

I've never in my life purchased a new vehicle. Why not look at a used car a few years old with super low miles? That's as close as I've ever come to new, and I've never paid close to a new car price.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

The repair is a no brainer to me. The car is close to worthless without it.

Buddy of mine had a 2000 Honda Insight and the big battery died. He still drove it around just fine on the little IC engine but I'm not sure if the Prius has that type of technology.

[aschen]

Used car prices are crazy now too. Really taking the sport out of my favorite past time of searching for cars i'll never buy. Even 20yo crapped out miatas have high ask these days?

Option the third: Ignore the warning light and don't replace battery until car computer is truly pissed off.

I don't know much about prius but I cant see a long term detriment to this except reduced MPG.