My Mother in Law has owned a 2011 Lexus 450H for a good two years bought at 80k miles to now 109. Recently, the battery suddenly gave out. She's very dealer service faithful, so her and I took her vehicle to our local Lexus Dealership for a diagnostic. We've been quoted 8k for a brand new battery along with installation!
She's now adamant in buying a used hybrid battery, but I'm weary as most of these places I've found selling hybrid batteries offer a very small warranty and no real guarantee of it lasting long either.
My question is, once she replaces the battery with another used one, is it worth keeping or selling? Shes obviously going to sell it at a loss if she decided so, seeing as she'd have to note the battery issue. But if the car is worth paying for the OEM I'd gladly help her. Just wondering if it's worth going used or new?
Thank you,
Cowboy56
How much is the used hybrid battery?
I used Green Bean Battery when my 2004 Prius hybrid battery needed replacing at 275K miles. That was in May 2020.
They recondition and rebalance old cells and clump them together to form refurbished battery packs.
So far so good. The only trouble we had was when we were in the middle of Death Valley in the scorching heat 110 degrees or more, got the warning of a bad battery. But when we got back to normal temperatures, it was fine, and had been fine since.
https://greenbeanbattery.com/lexus-rx-450h-hybrid-battery-replacement/
It looks like this battery comes with a three year warranty with option to upgrade for a lifetime warranty.
She's very dealer service faithful, so her and I took her vehicle to our local Lexus Dealership for a diagnostic. We've been quoted 8k for a brand new battery along with installation!
Well that's the first issue here; those people are called stealerships for a reason and even if you decide to replace the battery I would have a trusted independent mechanic do the job.
I'm weary as most of these places I've found selling hybrid batteries offer a very small warranty and no real guarantee of it lasting long either.
I agree with you on this and wouldn't really suggest a used battery because you'll be paying for labor already so might as well get a new one and save the extra headache.
My question is, once she replaces the battery with another used one, is it worth keeping or selling?
If I was in this situation I would get rid of the car just like that and not spend more on it because I wouldn't get back what I pay for labor and a battery (even if used). But I understand it depends on what is financially is feasible for someone so if she has to keep this car then I guess a new battery would be a better choice.
If she goes with the used hybrid battery option, advise her that it would be best to sell the car post the repair as she might be back to square one, after a few months.
If she truly wants to hold onto the vehicle (as a reliable daily driver), then it’s best to get a Lexus brand new hybrid battery.
Unfortunately, this is why Scotty advises against buying used hybrids because repairs can get real costly, real quick.
All the best!
We've been quoted 8k for a brand new battery along with installation!
that's how much I'll be spending on gas during a year.
Do the math . The numbers will tell you if it's worthwhile.
