Pour one out for my old ride…

216,000 miles and the inverter finally gave up. I was passing a semi at 85 when a couple of diesel drivers boxed me in on the highway. Pulled off as soon as I could, shut her down, and that was it. Never started again. Had to use a come-along to load it onto a trailer, and the scrapyard scooped her up with a forklift.

She was a good one, took me through a lot of roads and memories.

Man, a Gen 1? That car fought hard.

I’ve got a Gen 1 too. Rest easy, old friend!

Had the same thing happen to my Gen 2. Got quoted $7k, but I fixed it myself in two hours for $150. You could’ve saved her, man.

Brice said:
Had the same thing happen to my Gen 2. Got quoted $7k, but I fixed it myself in two hours for $150. You could’ve saved her, man.

I got two quotes, both over $5k. Couldn’t find a working used part for under $800. At this point, I need something reliable, and it’s been draining my wallet the past few years.

@oliviamartin
That makes sense. May she rest in peace.

Brice said:
@oliviamartin
That makes sense. May she rest in peace.

Yeah, someone stole the catalytic converter in 2020—$2k plus a permanent check engine light. Insurance almost totaled it then. In 2022, the brake booster died. That was $2.5k after a 200k service. This year, I replaced two wheel bearings. Front one cost $400 at a shop, rear I did myself for $150. I’ve got two kids, and this thing left me stranded 100 miles from home. That was the last straw.

RIP to the OG Prius :saluting_face::blue_car::beers:

Reeve said:
RIP to the OG Prius :saluting_face::blue_car::beers:

OJ?

You really caught the moment her Prius soul floated off to car heaven. Beautiful.

For a second, I thought this was a Prius jumping a trailer until I noticed the lift.

That’s rough. The body still looked pretty solid too.

How much would it have cost to repair that?

Luchivya said:
How much would it have cost to repair that?

A used inverter off eBay would’ve been around $400 and two hours of work.

Landry said:

Luchivya said:
How much would it have cost to repair that?

A used inverter off eBay would’ve been around $400 and two hours of work.

Why didn’t OP fix it? Gen 1s are kinda iconic. I feel like they’ll be classics one day :pleading_face:

@Luchivya
They really are! But if you go to the dealer, they’ll quote you something crazy like $5k, assuming they can even get the part. Most repair shops aren’t much cheaper either. If you DIY, it’s manageable, but not everyone’s up for that.

When my hybrid battery died in my 2006, I rebuilt it myself for $180 in parts. Eight months and 10k miles later, still running smooth. You just gotta be willing to take on some projects.

@Landry
Dealer quoted me over $6k and still couldn’t find the part. The hybrid specialist in the next town wanted $5k with a working used part. I searched too and couldn’t find one for under $800. I already put so much into this car over the years. Getting stranded 100 miles from home in the middle of nowhere made the decision for me.

@oliviamartin
Fair enough.

@Landry
OP should find you next time, haha!

RIP to a Gen 1 legend!

I’m still driving my 2002 Gen 1 at 145k miles, hoping to reach 200k to make the most out of the replacement hybrid battery I installed at 93k.