The used Toyota Prius market is heating up rapidly in the face of high gasoline prices. A quick check on eBay Motors shows that, despite the complicated systems which make up the world's best-selling hybrid, bidders are snatching up the Prius at a very high rate. Historically, mechanically-savvy individuals have been able to get a detailed manual in order to tackle vehicle maintenance and repair themselves. Will newer high-tech vehicles with more computer processing power than the original space shuttle dissuade do-it-yourselfers from tackling their own hybrid vehicle repair work?

Apparently, the good chaps at Haynes Manuals were able to get their hands on a Prius, which they then proceeded to strip down completely and rebuild. The process was completely documented and can be found in the new Haynes Manual for the 2001-2008 Toyota Prius. As we've mentioned, the complex and often dangerous electrical systems are rather robust, so perhaps the new-tech hybrid vehicles won't put a damper in the DIY spirit of the home-repairman too significantly.