duval7

Hey guys i have a chance to buy an 07 GS450H with 135K miles for $2K. It runs great and is super smooth but is leaking coolant and probably needs a hybrid battery. Will these cars run only on the gas engine if the battery is out? I am looking at buying it to use as my beater/airport car. I just don't know much about hybrids and not sure if it is worth it or not. I can do most of my own work on gas engines just never messed with hybrids. It has a check engine light and VSC and ESB service messages. Also it seems to be running hot my the temp gauge and is has a rattling coming from the front of the engine. Probably just a water pump right? Thanks for any input.

Champstar

Hybrid battery replacement - $2k - $3k
Water pump - $500 est.
Coolant leak/ new radiator - $500
VSC and ESB service - Not sure about this one but I'd estimate andother $1k
Maintenance, plugs, oil, pads, rotors, etc - $700
Plus $2k cost
Total around $7k - $8k
Knowing how reliable these cars are, I'd buy it.

duval7

I cant find many DIY threads for this car. Do owners not do any of their own work?

samsonn25

Coolant leak and running hot could main water pump, or hose, or radiator. . The coolant pump to the hybrid battery is different.

How do you know hybrid battery is going, there is a code? Might be a fluke and resettable with a scanner or Techstream. Same with esb and vsc, I get those every couple thousand miles.

I have 206k on my 07 gs450h on stock waterpump and traction battery.

duval7

Can these run and drive on just the gas engine?

samsonn25

Yes, this happens all the time when I get the vss and ecb code along with check hybrid system for my battery pack deterioration.

The car goes into gas only mode.

rl9010

Only if there are no battery codes. For 2k, considering the repairs that need to be done, this is a steal.

Brabusx2

i have 140k miles on my 07 GSh, replaced my first hybrid battery at 87k miles, and i feel like the replacement battery is toward its end of life now. waterpump were replace under warranty...

so far knock on wood the car been super reliable, for $2k i woulld jump on it

vap3

http://www.philipsauto.carpages.ca/u...GS-450H-HYBRID

apparently the guy said it needed 1500$ in repairs for a rear and front shock. What you guys think?

samsonn25

Kyb front and rear strut with labor is cheaper than 1500. Might want to get strut mounts too

vap3

he also said something about the brake wire and then the o2 sensor, sounded sketchy so I decided to say screw it. I mean at $4444 its been sitting on the lot for almost a month so there's something fishy going on. Shame I really wanted the car.

Stereorob

if the hybrid battery fails, no you cannot start the car without it.

vap3

oh snap price drop from 4444 to 3999! hahaha

I've been quoted from a hybrid garage that he can do the whole battery for 1500, but then again his English ain't the best so I don't know how reliable he can be.

samsonn25

If the regular battery is low also, you cannot start the car.

vap3

so I checked the car today, the body was in immaculate condition. The interior... not so much and it had a funky smell.

First thing I noticed is check VSC system, TPMS light and codes P0335 and P0037

under the hood ( the hood latch doesn't hold the hood up barely), i noticed oil leaks at the bottom (valve cover gasket?) , coolant was below the low lines for both the inverter and engine. Then checking the oil dip stick the level was non exsitant, hell it looked like it was a bit burnt from the looks of it!

Looking under there was rust spots on the suspension and oil leaks from one of the front strut (passenger) and rear strut (passenger) .

I turned on the car, it moved, but I didn't dare take it for a test drive.... knowing if I did perhaps I would have fell in love with it and commit.

Really a shame... maybe if it was $2000 instead of $3999 (265,000 km) I would have purchased and dumped money into fixing it.