I HAD a 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid. It had 416,000 miles when the hybrid battery light came on.I wanted to get 500,000 miles. I probably could have achieved that goal, but traded it off anyway. I found new replacement hybrid batteries for $1800 plus $200 for shipping and I probably could have installed it myself, but have an acquaintance that does it for $200. That would have been $2200 plus needing $500 in tires in the next few months. So I decided to trade it in (only got $1500) which is reasonable for what it is going to need and with the miles.
I had no idea of how long a hybrid's battery would last. The scanner said the battery had life in in and was not dead, just below the minimum for continued use. From reading, I probably could have driven it another 4000 to 5000 miles or so, or 3 to 5 months. The hybrids do not have a reverse gear in the transmission, but the wheels have an electric motor that not only gives assist for slow speed or starting off, but give it the reverse travel. Once the hybrid totally dies, it will NOT run at all, even though it has a strong 12V battery and gas engine. Electronics controls that aspect. The Hybrid battery cannot be disconnected and have the car (Camry) still run.
With the low Hybrid battery warning light on, it will not allow cruise control, which is what I rely on daily. Starting off is also a tad clunky as it has to rely on the gas engine, which is like starting off in 2nd gear in a stick shift. I averaged roughly 33.8 mpg over its life. Many times I averaged 34+ and 35 mpg over a full tank of gas, but when running into head winds which we have often it would knock the milage down to 32+ or low 33 mpg.
I had a class 2 trailer hitch on it and pulled a HF 1500GVW trailer many times moving stuff for my daughters - probably 5 round trips from the Memphis area to Dallas. Probably 10 trips to Springfield MO area. Numerous trips of 70 miles round trip to HD and Lowes.
It was a good car. Change spark plugs once, put new brake pads on at 300,000; Had a AC valve begin to leak at 410,00 and cost $110 to fix. That AC was still blowing COLD air. Three sets of 90,000 / 80/000 mile tires (2 sets of Michelins and 1 set Pirelli tires) plus originals and one other set of 50,000 mile tires. (I got the full amount of miles on each set and still had not worn to the "bar" on any set).
I drove 420 miles round trip to a conference with a couple of other people with me three weeks ago, and they commented on how smooth it rode and how much power it had - when going around slow vehicles. It just hit 416,000 on the trip. The engine was a getting 3000 miles per quart of oil.
GREAT Car. It will be remembered. I certainly got my money's worth out of it. I paid $15,000 for it used in 2012 and paid it off in 3 years. Wife's Rav4 is a hybrid, (bought new) but now I am skeptical of battery life, but LOML will trade hers off before that kind of miles. I had no idea how long hybrid batteries would last.
I traded it in for another Camry (SE), but non Hybrid. I'm taking a chance here. I bought a previously on Camry SE. Looking at the new ones, they were outlandish in price. I have a mentality that is just too old but I can't get over it. I am not ready to pay such high prices.
I had no idea of how long a hybrid's battery would last. The scanner said the battery had life in in and was not dead, just below the minimum for continued use. From reading, I probably could have driven it another 4000 to 5000 miles or so, or 3 to 5 months. The hybrids do not have a reverse gear in the transmission, but the wheels have an electric motor that not only gives assist for slow speed or starting off, but give it the reverse travel. Once the hybrid totally dies, it will NOT run at all, even though it has a strong 12V battery and gas engine. Electronics controls that aspect. The Hybrid battery cannot be disconnected and have the car (Camry) still run.
With the low Hybrid battery warning light on, it will not allow cruise control, which is what I rely on daily. Starting off is also a tad clunky as it has to rely on the gas engine, which is like starting off in 2nd gear in a stick shift. I averaged roughly 33.8 mpg over its life. Many times I averaged 34+ and 35 mpg over a full tank of gas, but when running into head winds which we have often it would knock the milage down to 32+ or low 33 mpg.
I had a class 2 trailer hitch on it and pulled a HF 1500GVW trailer many times moving stuff for my daughters - probably 5 round trips from the Memphis area to Dallas. Probably 10 trips to Springfield MO area. Numerous trips of 70 miles round trip to HD and Lowes.
It was a good car. Change spark plugs once, put new brake pads on at 300,000; Had a AC valve begin to leak at 410,00 and cost $110 to fix. That AC was still blowing COLD air. Three sets of 90,000 / 80/000 mile tires (2 sets of Michelins and 1 set Pirelli tires) plus originals and one other set of 50,000 mile tires. (I got the full amount of miles on each set and still had not worn to the "bar" on any set).
I drove 420 miles round trip to a conference with a couple of other people with me three weeks ago, and they commented on how smooth it rode and how much power it had - when going around slow vehicles. It just hit 416,000 on the trip. The engine was a getting 3000 miles per quart of oil.
GREAT Car. It will be remembered. I certainly got my money's worth out of it. I paid $15,000 for it used in 2012 and paid it off in 3 years. Wife's Rav4 is a hybrid, (bought new) but now I am skeptical of battery life, but LOML will trade hers off before that kind of miles. I had no idea how long hybrid batteries would last.
I traded it in for another Camry (SE), but non Hybrid. I'm taking a chance here. I bought a previously on Camry SE. Looking at the new ones, they were outlandish in price. I have a mentality that is just too old but I can't get over it. I am not ready to pay such high prices.
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