I have a 2000 Prius with more than 260,000 miles on it. The engine is slowly using oil, which has already fouled the catalytic converter once, requiring a costly replacement, and this will be necessary again within the next six months if something isn’t done about it. Replacing it with a newer Prius is too costly, and I really prefer the old model to the newer ones.
I’ve been told I could replace the engine with a used one for about $4000 and that two struts also need replacing. My question: Is this a good gamble? How likely is it that other expensive repairs will become necessary due to the high mileage on the car? (The battery has already been replaced.) Basically, is replacing the engine a smart move, or am I asking for trouble?
Look for what the going price is for 2000 Prius with 260,000 miles on it in your area compared to the cost of replacing the engine. If you like the Prius, invest the money you would have spent on replacing the engine on the worn out Prius on a newer Prius with less mileage.
If you got 260k miles out of this car, I would say you got enough. I would look for a newer used Prius if you don’t want to buy new… Even though you might not fix the motor, I think you still might get as much as you could expect trade in on a newer used one. I vote, trade up. There might be some off least model available.
How much oil does it burn? How far can you go before you need to add a quart of oil?
Today, replacing engines is never as easy as it sounds. The electronic controls must interface exactly or your dashboard will light up like a Christmas tree…
Even though the car has 260K the motor actually has considerably less. If I understand the Prius the gas motor only runs when needed so hypothetically speaking this motor may only have half that mileage.
To be a devil’s advocate to Proacfan, I note that the engine may have not been running for all the acrued mileage but while it is running it is running at close to its maximum output which would wear parts. Also the engine is always starting and stopping depending on the propulsion demands.
Other high cost parts that a high mileage Prius might need replaced are the transmission with its two 3 phase electrical motors and the inverters that transform the high voltage DC of the propulsion battery to the multiphase AC used by the electrical motors. IIRC the transmission also has a planetary gear set and a silent chain bring power out to the final drive. I did see one post by a mechanic who decided to replace the larger 3 phase motor; had his lift tied up for a week or so; and had to charged about the same amount as the cost or a new factory transmission when finished.
Hope this helps. Let us in on the progressing history of this vehicle.