I have been doing extensive work on both Honda and Toyota Hybrid systems. I can only get so far without being an electrical engineer. Seems there’s a lot of money to be made refurbishing Traction batteries as people that are intimidated to work a little just wind up giving good cars away. Two years ago you could get restored HV battery packs for $400 installed and Craig’s had a half dozen for sale at any given time. Not now, none. Special chargers are $300 or more and I know they can be built for under $100 in parts.
I just picked up a low miles 2013 Prius for $500. The only thing it needs is a new or restored HV battery or recharge the current one. I have to pick up another Honda Civic this week , a 2010 with a dead battery.
When people find out they can’t start the ICE on just the auxiliary battery they give up. Junk yards only give you a $100 max for them. I detailed this 2013 taking me 3 days. It was sitting for 2 years, the PO thought it was the auxiliary battery (they require an AGM battery) so I returned it for a free replacement still under the 36 month warranty. That saved me $250!
A set of Goodyear Gas Miser tires DiscountTires.com $342 to my door add another $40 mounted and balanced. Brakes rusted - Gold pads at AAuto, $18 front, $30 rear shoes. Front Rotors $42 each. Oil and filter change $17. Cleaning materials $52. So far I have just under $1,000 out of pocket. Let’s say I have to shell out another $500 to cover the HV battery and State inspection and emissions inspection. So $1,500 for a car that’s worth at least $6,000
I just picked up a low miles 2013 Prius for $500. The only thing it needs is a new or restored HV battery or recharge the current one. I have to pick up another Honda Civic this week , a 2010 with a dead battery.
When people find out they can’t start the ICE on just the auxiliary battery they give up. Junk yards only give you a $100 max for them. I detailed this 2013 taking me 3 days. It was sitting for 2 years, the PO thought it was the auxiliary battery (they require an AGM battery) so I returned it for a free replacement still under the 36 month warranty. That saved me $250!
A set of Goodyear Gas Miser tires DiscountTires.com $342 to my door add another $40 mounted and balanced. Brakes rusted - Gold pads at AAuto, $18 front, $30 rear shoes. Front Rotors $42 each. Oil and filter change $17. Cleaning materials $52. So far I have just under $1,000 out of pocket. Let’s say I have to shell out another $500 to cover the HV battery and State inspection and emissions inspection. So $1,500 for a car that’s worth at least $6,000