How much would a 2005 hybrid prius cost?

Vehicles: Does a catalytic converter replacement part for Toyota Prius 2005 really cost nearly $2,000 US?

• Answer:

  In a word, no. First, I assume this is the quote you received for 1-4 OEM catalytic converters. After-market converters are usually a 10th of that amount (per unit). Your car likely has 4 converters. Second, it's important to understand that OEM parts are in relatively short supply. OEMs build a handful of 'extra' parts for a specific year and model, and the total number of parts they build is based on some relatively sophisticated formulas. The goal of every automaker is to sell all the spares they build, but to do so about the same time the vehicle officially becomes obsolete. I can't speak to the specifics of this particular price quote, but I would guess that; 1. Your local Toyota dealer quoted you this price, and they quoted all 4 cats at top dollar 2. An after-market set of converters might cost less than half this amount. Third - and finally - catalytic converters aren't cheap. They contain significant quantities of precious metals, and that drives up the cost of each catalytic converter. This is why converters are sometimes stolen off of parked vehicles - scrap yards will often offer $50 cash (or more) for a single converter. It's an "easy" way to make money if you don't mind crawling under cars and cutting off catalytic converters with a portable saw.