Toyota Prius 2005, fix transmission or replace car?
Posted by cmdoduck@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 22 comments
I have a 2005 Toyota Prius. We have been told that the transmission needs to be replaced, have gotten a couple of opinions on it, so pretty sure this is the problem. We have two options ...
A. Replace the transmission for ~$4k, and see how long we can keep this car going. Note: five years ago we replaced the battery($7k), and two months ago we replaced the motor mounts($3k).
B. We find a newer used car and buy that, probably needing to get a small loan to do it. We would want a Toyota or Honda. Possibly even another Prius. So this could cost between $5k and $10k. And we don't know the problems of a new to us used vehicle would bring.
And actually that's kind of a similar problem with both choices, there's this unknown of what problems come next. So looking for opinions and thoughts on the matter to help us with our decision. We are currently leaning heavily towards fixing the one we have.
solidus_snake256@reddit
I’ve been a Toyota tech for over a decade. I’ve have never once seen a Prius trans go bad. Not saying it isn’t possible, but extremely unlikely. They are probably the most robust transmission Toyota ever made. Highly over engineered to last. I have seen well over 300k with zero service done. What seems to be the issue?
cmdoduck@reddit (OP)
The transmission place we took it to says there's metal in the fluid and that there's some other part that they could see was bad. It started with finding the CV axles being loose. And the car is still making weird noises when going from stopped, hard to describe the noise, like something catching and then letting go.
We did take the car to Toyota two weeks before that and the tech didn't find anything wrong, said maybe the struts. So I took it to another mechanic that we know and they found the loose CV axles, so we repaired those and still having issues. That shop said it was the transmission and quoted $6k for the replacement. So I took it to the transmission shop next door and they did a diagnostic on it, said definitely the trans. The mechanics there said they probably would just drive the car till it dies then get a new car. I personally don't want to be driving and waiting for the car to die on me, I go an hour away to church so would hate to be stuck somewhere along the freeway.
solidus_snake256@reddit
So good and bad news from what you have stated. It does sound like a trans if you have had multiple people look at it, including a trans shop (who probably knows how robust these are). So this is what I would do considering the vehicle age, and cost effectiveness. Find someone capable and willing to install a used trans. They are rock solid and this would be the first one I have heard actually fail. Like I said not impossible but highly improbable. So that being said, you will have great luck finding a used one. Since they don’t fail, junkyards in your area would likely have a surplus of them. I suspected one was bad a few years ago and it just turned out to be a bad connector going to the trans, but I priced one and all they wanted was $200. Definitely worth doing.
Ken_S89@reddit
Also, I have a question. The new Camry. I heard it has a new eCVT but is still based on their proven design. Have you had a chance to look at that new eCVT? Does it seem as well built as in previous years in other models? Thanks.
solidus_snake256@reddit
So far so good on all of the eCVTs. I rebuild transmissions fairly often and I’ve never even had the chance to look inside one from Toyota yet. They all seem to follow the 2nd gen trend of not breaking. They use really well built electric motors that considerably reduce most of the wear on the other parts. There is a reason almost every hybrid car system is practically a replica of the Prius. Just an overall great platform. I own 4 3rd gens. 1 for each of my two daughters, one for my wife, and I drive the Lexus version for myself, the ct200h.
Ken_S89@reddit
Awesome. Thanks for the reply!
Ken_S89@reddit
This is great advice here. Something else I would want to know, did the OP state that they believe the transmission is shot when they talked to each shop? Or did each shop diagnose a bad transmission without them saying anything?
cmdoduck@reddit (OP)
Yeah I didn't say anything about the trans to the first shop. Mentioned it was making noises and waited for their diagnosis. The second shop did know the other place said trans, but this was the trans shop and they are right next to the other shop, they were a little skeptical about it being the trans and then after checking it out confirmed. It's those guys who think we should just drive it till it dies rather than doing the repair.
PriveCo@reddit
The amount you have been spending in this car could make the payment on a new car. It is time to move on. The costs on older cars rarely stop. Battery, CV Joints, trans, engine, brakes, tires, struts, control arms, etc… Get out.
Honest_Manager@reddit
a 20 year old Prius is cheap these days. Buy a wrecked one, a used one needing battery, whatever you find cheap, then use that car as a parts car. Swap transmissions, any other parts you need. Then you can resell the parts car and save money for the next parts car if needed.
cmdoduck@reddit (OP)
If I knew how to do the labor myself then this could be doable. But maybe I could talk to a friend with some Prius experience.
revocer@reddit
How do you know the transmission is bad?
cmdoduck@reddit (OP)
Took it to two shops and they both say that it is. Metal in the fluid and one shop said they could see some broken pieces (they named the part but all I can remember is the word spider...)
Kent89052@reddit
The Prius does not have a transmission, but only a mechanic would look at it that way. The gizmo mechanics call a transmission consists of a plantary gear system and two electric motors. This device could be easily repaired, because only 1 of these is bad.
Substantial_Team6751@reddit
If your car is worth $5-6 after you fix it, then it's worth it.
permacougar@reddit
Get a used Ferrari. I've heard they are slightly faster than Prius.
phillyphilly19@reddit
Considering buying a newer car would cost you at least five times that repair I say go for it and replace the transmission. You'll probably at least get another 5 years out of it.
sprchrgddc5@reddit
You’ll be spending $7k this year on the car. That works out to over $3.5K in the last two months.
Frankly, that could have gone to a down payment for a new car. Sure, car payments suck ass. I’d cut my losses and sell the thing and buy a new car.
SP92216@reddit
I would go with the car I have. Unless you are buying brand new there is no telling what else is going to go wrong with another car even another Prius may require mounts and you are there spending again. I would pay the $4k for a new transmission.
Both_Painter_9186@reddit
Depends. I might throw the $4k into it and just use it as a commuter if you have a more reliable, newer car for longer trips or for moving the kids and what not. If your other car is getting up there in age, or this is your only car- I'd flip it.
Gunk_Olgidar@reddit
Mileage not stated, but I'll guess it's about 200-250k.
Devil you know: $4k plus $2k/year in ongoing wear-out-repairs.
Devil you don't know: $5-10k plus $2-3k more in unknown/undisclosed wear-out-repairs and catch-up maintenance in the next two years, and $1k/year after that if the car has only 100kmi. $2k/year at 200kmi.
These upkeep costs are an average, but the bills come in big chunks as you very well know.
And $3k for engine mounts on that car was a ripoff. That's a $2k repair tops (4-6 hrs labor and a few hundred in parts), so always get multiple quotes any time an estimate is >$1k. It's a PITA job because the subframe has to be loosened and shifted, requiring an alignment afterwards, but it ain't a $3k job. That $3k quote was probably a "we don't want the work, go away" price that you accepted.
Tough call. $4k is a down payment on any other new-to-you car that won't be this expensive to keep on the road, and a monthly payment will be more than the ongoing upkeep. If I liked the prius and it was otherwise in good condition inside and out and didn't need other big ticket work (suspension, engine, etc.) I'd probably drop the $4k and keep it.
Get a 2nd opinion, and then a 3rd, on that transmission. Might just need a solenoid.
AlaskaGreenTDI@reddit
I don’t hate spending the 4k on the trans considering that you did the battery relatively recently.