Should I Upgrade My Car or Wait?

Bigphil1474

OP, if you've just had the timing belt done, if you sell the car now, you've lost the benefit of that major expense. From a money saving point of view, there is only one choice really. I'd be tempted if your dad was selling the car at a very big discount, but at market price? Nah. Option 3 is no car of course.

biker_mat

If your Dacia still runs fine for your uni needs, I’d keep it and save your cash. You’ve already paid for repairs, and a RAV4’s a great car but a big spend while studying. Enjoy the cheap motoring while it lasts!

Goudy

Toyota aren't totally faultless, they do have their faults but the hybrids tend to show them when the mileage climbs.

That 2017 version of the hybrid system uses a Nickel Metal Hydride battery (newer models use Li ion) and although Toyota's arrangement for battery management is pretty good, it still has a shelf life, usually 150-180 thousand miles.

Packaging of the battery modules on certain models can decrease this as the inner modules can suffer from heat and the life in these batteries is all about module "balance".
The battery is made up of 14 or more modules which are connected in series, one low performing module will cause problems with this balance and cause the dreaded P0A80 trouble code (replace hybrid battery).

The proper fix it to replace the battery with new at great cost. Some companies can replace the modules with better used ones, but the battery is never really fully balanced so don't tend to last that long as all the modules really need repeated deep cycling (fully charging and discharging) which takes time so costs more.
(In normal conditions the battery management system will only normally charge to 80% and discharge to 40%)

Plus good used modules are becoming few and far between these days.

As a rule of thumb, don't buy one that have evidence of a dog in the back.
The battery cooling system is air fed and dog hair clogs it all up.

There are some cheap apps, like Dr Prius that can cycle the battery system and give a rough idea of battery health.


The waterpump can be problematic.
They are essentially an electric motor rather than a mechanically driven pump.
The rotor part of the motor is the impeller and covered in a rubberised coating. This coating tends to break down over time, the metal internals rust and swell which causes the impeller to jam in the housing. This tends to start happening 80 -100 thousand miles but it depends on things like coolant condition.

They are fairly easy to replace but aren't really cheap.
There are aftermarket impellers available fairly cheaply but if the old has jammed up solid the rest of the motor might be damaged.

There are a few other things to keep on top of like the coolant and small pump that cools the inverter, over time they do usually need replacing to keep it all tip top.

Then of course you have the normal servicing costs and repairs, though generally the brakes tend to last far longer than non hybrid cars.