Massachusetts man daily-driving $100 junkyard ex-taxi Prius for six months learns something eye-opening

When this man bought a Toyota Prius that had been destined for the crusher for just $100, he ended up making a surprising revelation.

The poor old Prius had formerly been used as a taxi and had racked up around 360,000 miles. 

It later found its way to a junkyard where it was supposed to be crushed. 

But, YouTuber Rich Rebuilds spotted the Prius and snapped it up, promising to drive it for six months – and he learned something pretty eye-opening along the way.

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The $100 Toyota Prius had a low price tag for a very good reason

Launched in 1997, the Toyota Prius was the world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. 

Since it was introduced, millions have been sold across the world and the car has built up a solid reputation for being reliable as well as earning a world record for its MPG. 

However, it’s fair to say that the Prius is often maligned, or as Rich Rebuilds puts it, it’s a car that people ‘love to hate’. 

Nonetheless, when he saw one in a junkyard for just $100, he decided to snap it up. 

He also set himself an interesting challenge: could he travel 1,200 miles from Boston to the Rolex 24 at Daytona for less than the price of a plane ticket?

As you might have guessed from the price point, the hybrid wasn’t in great shape. 

Taking a closer look at the car, Rich discovered that its catalytic converter was ‘missing’, it was leaking coolant, and it made a whole lot of noise when it was running. 

“I think that’s why it cost $100,” he admitted. 

However, Rich was undeterred and wasted no time in repairing the Prius to get it back on the road. 

He scoured Facebook Marketplace to find a cheap catalytic convertor and made some other budget fixes – and it was time to go. 

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The journey to Daytona resulted in an eye-opening moment

Before he set off, Rich found a plane ticket from Boston to Dayton priced at $157, and was convinced he’d spend less in gas driving there in his $100 Prius. 

However, it wasn’t an easy ride with the check engine light pinging on shortly after setting it off. 

But the Prius lived up to its reliable reputation and made it all the way to Daytona. 

Unfortunately, the return journey was more eventful, with the CV axel giving out about six hours from home. 

But, once again, the Prius pushed on and made it back to Boston – racking up a total of 3,700 miles on the trip. 

And the whole thing was an eye-opener for Rich. 

“This little Prius changed my mind about Priuses in general,” he said. 

“It was able to make it from Massachusetts to Florida and back for less than the price of a plane ticket. No waiting in lines, no extra prices for baggage fees. This little car completely changed my perspective.”

You can follow Rich’s whole journey with his bargain Prius on the Rich Rebuilds YouTube channel here.

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