Dodged an $8,000+ bullet

**Greebo** · 01-14-2010, 02:11 PM

So last night, after leaving "Dances with Ferngully" (Avatar), I got in my wonderful 2006 Highlander Hybrid and was greeted with a new message:
"CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM"

Uh oh. I'm scared.

The car seemed to be running fine - but I take no chances with my baby. So I took it to the dealer.

Got a call about an hour ago. The part that's bad is the "converter/inverter". The labor is highly involved on this part - it's connected to a battery that can kill a person. The part is worse - $8,000 JUST FOR THE PART!!

FORTUNATELY, It's under warranty!

So - thank goodness - NOT ONE PENNY will we pay out of pocket. Even the loaner car is covered.

But dang, I've got just under 40,000 miles left on the hybrid warranty. I think when we get to 95,000, I'm going to sell my baby.

No WAY do I want that kind of risk exposure on a car!

**mauimagic** · 01-14-2010, 02:17 PM

Greebo - how do you do it!! Your way with words had me laughing out loud - Dancing with Ferngully - OMG - you are the best!!

Congrats on dodging that bullet - scary.

**dcompton** · 01-14-2010, 03:55 PM

$8000 for a part? Dang. That would pay my rent for 16 months! I be scared of keeping the car too.

**Russ** · 01-14-2010, 03:57 PM

pretty hefty price tag.

**celina** · 01-14-2010, 04:38 PM

it's the reason we didn't get a hybrid, too many unknowns as of yet...

**Josephhgoins** · 01-14-2010, 04:43 PM

You got to love warrenties!

**beks37** · 01-14-2010, 06:20 PM

Wow...these are the things that they don't tell you about when buying a hybrid. I would be so glad that the warranty covers this!

**joyofsix** · 01-14-2010, 07:42 PM

I have to tell you, my 15 yo called it "Dancing with Smurfs". You do not want to hear his scathing review.

**Debbie-cat** · 01-14-2010, 08:50 PM

Congrats it's under warranty but wow that is unbelievable for one part! I would sell that baby too!

**AnW819** · 01-14-2010, 08:56 PM

One---how did you stand to watch that movie??? It was awful!!

And two---WTG on having a warranty still! Its crazy that a car part can cost $8,000!!! Thats the price of some brand new cars. Sheesh!

**frugalfranny** · 01-15-2010, 01:44 AM

Yeow - interesting.

Damn that would hurt bad if it was out of pocket. Not very many miles for something so major to go wrong!

**pollypurebred39** · 01-15-2010, 03:09 AM

I take this as a warning Greebo, no hybrids in our future. Sheesh!

**Greebo** · 01-15-2010, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by AnW819

One---how did you stand to watch that movie??? It was awful!!

The 3D visuals and the stunning beauty of the fantasy world made up for the serious lack of originality in the story. And the flying fight scene was cool.

And two---WTG on having a warranty still! Its crazy that a car part can cost $8,000!!! Thats the price of some brand new cars. Sheesh!

Hey, the warranty was nothing we did - it was just still there - no praise deserved.

But regarding the part - the service manager was even floored at the cost - ENGINES don't cost that much!

C and I talked about it at great length last night - we're going to start looking at late model used cars in the 10-15k range. Ideally we can find something nice for 10k, sell the Highlander for over 20 (KBB is 23) and pocket 10 more and not worry about 8k repairs in our future.

**Sassyclass** · 01-16-2010, 01:27 PM

glad the bullet missed. Yup, time for a different vehicle. Will you be paying in cash?

Cat

**Greebo** · 01-16-2010, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by Sassyclass

glad the bullet missed. Yup, time for a different vehicle. Will you be paying in cash?

Cat

We'll sell the highlander, which right now has a private sale value of about $23,000 - and then we'll look for something cheaper but equally comfortable. The balance will probably go to replacing the 10 windows in our house that need it.