2002 Toyota Prius 1st Generation Hybrid Car -- Channel Jamesss Today 

Hi I own two cars just like your "new" Prius and I felt I should tell you a few things about these vehicles you would like to know: First I hope you didnt pay much for that car. I find 02 and 03 Prius' around here for less than 1600 bucks most any day. With all your body and interior damage I would say yours is worth about 1200. They are also not much of a "collectors car" at the moment. Maybe someday though as they do tend to go to junkyards at around 200k miles. The reason I say this is that several things generally happen around 200k+ miles. The wheel bearings make a lot of noise (about $400 per wheel to replace at a shop), and, Some of the hybrid battery cells leak and or die, and sometimes BURN up too, Literally fire inside your car! Also the transmission locks up or just gets turned off by the computer and so the car is dead in the road. Any of these things can happen at any time so be wary and stop driving it when you notice weird things like this happening. Another sure sign something has gone wrong is the MPG's dropping off. Switch your display to the "consumption" display and reset it so you can monitor the MPGs as you drive around for a few weeks. If the car is working right the MPG summary will ALWAYS show more than 45 MPG. If it is much lower stop driving the car and find out what is wrong. Typically it is the hybrid pack acting up. This can happen in very hot weather, especially when you are using the AC (which is also electric) all this puts a strain on those old cells. First Gen Prius were notorious for leaking cell electrolyte. Especially in hot climates. Speaking of AC, if the AC light on the dash ever starts blinking your freon charge is low (not a biggie just add more yourself) , or the compressor is failing (biggie, good luck finding a replacement at a price you can afford.) Also if the master warning (AKA Red triangle of death) lights up, STOP driving the car, park it until you fix the problem(s). Continuing to drive it around with that warning on can destroy your hybrid battery. Even if the car seems to be working ok with the warning light on it is also stressing those cells and over heating other things like maybe the inverter. Better safe than sorry! Often the fix is simple enough to do yourself with some guidance. Eg the inverter coolant pump is notorious for locking up, replace it with common hand tools yourself for about $90. Another good thing to keep in mind is that if you leave the car parked for weeks at a time the 12v battery in the trunk will discharge and light up the warning lights too. Or you will have no power at all and the dash is dark. I always disconnect the Neg terminal for the 12v battery for long term sitting. Also download a copy of Dr. Prius to your Android phone and get on Amazon and buy a OBD2/Bluetooth adapter that works with Dr. P. These will allow you to check on the hybrid battery state as you own your car. It will give you some warning when the cells get very far out of balance. Fixing a Prius hybrid pack is not that hard to do yourself with some knowledge of electricity. I have been through most all of the above personally, so I honestly can say I understand what I am telling you about.