400H Battery Replacement Cost

[tracyann]

We are thinking about buying a 2008 400H with about 45,000 miles on it. We don't drive a ton (live fairly close to work), so we are not concerned with putting too many miles on the car, but we are a tad nervous about the battery life. My first question is, how much would a new battery cost? From what I've been reading, there are 2 batteries in the car (one that starts it and one that runs it), is this true? If so, I'm looking for the cost of both of them separately.

Also, when talking with the sales person, he told us that a new battery would run about 20K. From everything I've read, even in worst case scenaro, there is no way it could cost 20K to replace the battery in this car. I've been reading more like 3 or 4K.

I feel like there is really just a huge unknown at the end of the life of this car (or in about 6 years if we buy a 2008). If it would only cost 3K to replace the battery, and I knew this was an expected expense, I could stomach it, but clearly if the replacement cost is 20K, who wouldn't just junk the car?

I'm also thinking that if we wanted to sell this car any time in the future, the resale value would be next to nothing. After that 10 year mark, there is no guarantee that you will not wake up with a 4K bill sitting in your driveway. When looking at a 10 year old non-hybrid RX (RX 300), the average selling price is 11K. I'm thinking that I would get nowhwere near that amount of savings in gas.

Just looking for a little insight.

Thanks!

[lenore]

The battery that starts car just turns the system on....its a 51R series available for $65 at Sams Club...The hybrid battery can cost around $4000....However have not read of any failures yet. The Toyota prius has been used as taxi's in New York and from what I have read some are over 8 years old and have never had a battery failure. A used RX400h could be had for $28k or less, I bought mine with 89k miles for $24k out the door. I now have 119k miles and it is just fine. Your salesman doesnt know his numbers and I wouldnt trust him with a ten foot pole. I owned a RX300 for 13 years, great vehicle, but gets about 16-18 in town and 21 on the road. My RX400h (2008) Gets 24.3 in town and the best we got on the highway is 26.8 at 78mph. My wife drives like a hot rod, so the town mileage is pretty good compared to the RX300....

[RX400h]

First, read this:

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1023454_toyota-prius-taxi-tops-340000mi-dispels-battery-myth

NOW do you feel better?

Here in CA, regular gas costs $4.75/gallon. RX350 owners are weeping and RX400h and RX450h owners are laughing because all those RX350 owners thought they could never recoup the extra cost of a hybrid RX.

We average 25-28 MPG, about the same as a VW GTI that weighs 1500 lbs less.