[Xist]

I am going to test-drive an expensive 2006 Prius to see how it is supposed to feel.

Someone posted a 1998 Accord for $850, calling it a mechanic's special, but allegedly it just needed a cat, oil pan gasket, and AC lines.

A cat like the one that I bought was going for a little under $160 on eBay, but it just sold.

Gaskets are cheap and I replaced the pan in my 2000 Civic and one in a 1997 Accord, so that would have been fine.

I couldn't quickly find instructions for the AC lines, but YourMechanic and RepairPal estimated that it would cost $400.

AutoZone has the hoses for $40 each and I found a dealer willing to ship them for $85.

The cheapest cat that RockAuto has is $155 shipped, but $102 before taxes and fees.

The cheapest OEM-style with an O2 sensor in the right place is $271 and the only Improved Designed cat is $371 shipped.

So, the parts might cost several hundred, but I happen to have a full set of known-good parts...

By the way, there is a Prius transmission in Mesa with 137,000 miles and a 90-day warranty.