We're on our second Toyota Prius -- we bought both when they were five years old, and traded the first one in on the second after five years when I ran across a good deal.

It's my wife's car -- I want something absolutely trouble-free. Both Prii have filled that requirement nicely.

The only issue I've run across is that Toyota dealers tend to be rapacious in my neck of the woods, and I believe it's easy to talk many Prius owners into expensive repairs. It's been particularly bad in recent years with new-car sales down and service revenue increasingly important to dealerships.

Shertex, you need a second opinion from an independent wrench who specializes in hybrids. I believe a capable independent could replace the traction battery in my Prius (as an example) for about $2K, but I wouldn't be afraid to tackle the job myself. From the web forums I've read, it looks straightforward. I don't know why a Honda would be much different.

Here's a post on R&Ring the IMA battery for a Honda Insight to give you an idea. IMO, 15 hours of labor is a joke. Should be more like two or three.