Need advice from current owners

[Stranger]

Some of us folks that are about to place orders for a new Prius could use some advice from those of you that currently own one. . . Specifically, what "extras" did you order or wish you would have ordered at the time of purchase? I'm talking about things like the floor mats, cargo net, extended warranty, etc.

Was it better to purchase the "extras" at the time of purchase or get them through group buys or other places?

What about the best color to order? I know it is a personal preference, but I'm sure some stand out more than others. (I'm moving to SoCal next year and I want a color that will withstand the elements as well as stand out in a crowd).

Regarding the extended warranty, is it better to purchase it through PriusChat, the dealer or somewhere else?

Any advice current owners can provide will be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Thanks,

Stranger

[Jack 06]

*summons best John Wayne voice*

Howdy, Stranger!

1. You have 3 yr/36K mi to buy the extended warranty. They won't increase in price that much, and someone will PROBABLY still be selling them at a big discount. Just tell the dealer you'll wait on that.

2. If you have a little chutzpah, you may be able to get your salescritter to "throw in" a low-cost accessory of your choice. ("Uh, since you won't sell these things for less than MSRP, any chance you could throw a cargo net into the deal for me?") I'd go for the cargo net.

Some dealers routinely throw the mats in. You WANT mats. If not for yourself, for when you sell it. And you can't buy the Prius mats with the little leaf/car insignia aftermarket, except from a wreck.

3. For SoCal you want white, classic silver or silver pine mica, nothing darker (though if I still lived there, I MIGHT go as "dark" as seaside).

4. If you're finicky about your car's long-range paint finish, the decision you should make first is about a front-end "mask" ("bra"). The front bumper and lower hood WILL get beaten up with stone ships. I've always had the black vinyl ones on mine. Others have opted for the "clear-coat" add-on. But don't wait until you HAVE stone ships. Your cheapest source for an "official Toyota" (embossed with logo) vinyl bra is Metro Toyota in Kalamazoo, MI. About $112 + shipping. Don't know about clear-coat.

And you can get mud flaps from the site here. Also body side moldings, though I bought my own strips from Pep Boys and put 'em on myself. I think they add a lot to the car's "horizontality", as well as being a protectant.

[tumbleweed]

I think the best price on the Toyota extended warranty is right here. Some people have decided to wait until their car is almost 3 years old to buy one.

The answers to some of your other questions depends on if you are going to get a 2005 or a 2006 because some of the colors and option packages have changed.

The only "extra" mine came with was the floor mats which I wanted anyway. If I bought another one I would tell the dealer that I didn't want any extras.

My advice:

take advantage of the tax credit for 2006 if you can use it
don't pay more than MSRP
don't give some dealer a deposit to be put on a waiting list
check out every dealer that's close enough for you to get to, you may find "your" car in stock somewhere
don't buy an extended waranty or any kind of service plan, or anything else like that from the dealer
wait for the color and option package that you want, don't take something that's not right for you.

[efusco]

There's no question that all dealer add-ons can be had more cheaply from 3rd parties than from your dealer. I propose the following.

Agree to the floor mats, the price difference is negligible and you're gonna want them and the car looks 'newer', IMO, with them in when you pick it up. It's a 'bone' to throw to your sales creature to appease them a bit for not buying anything else.

I personally don't like the adhesive type bumper guard--there are 2 good black aftermarket ones (I think one's for the Matrix, the other for ? The Sienna) that are more durable, look better (IMO), and are cheaper and easy to self install.

Cargo nets: Also a lot cheaper aftermarket, I like the horizontal type and find it much more useful--and it's not available from your dealer.

Toyoguard--waste of money.

If your dealer will install XM for a fair price (say <$150 installed)--the integrated kind--that may be money well spent.

Other than that, I think you'll find all the toys/add-ons/goodies you want and need as time goes on...I add something new every few months.

[jamarimutt]

The mats were included with my car, no extra charge. Remember that no accessory you can add will increase the car's resale or trade-in value, and some may actually decrease it.

[jimgraffam]

I particularly love the look of the black ding bars on the side of my Prius. Aside from that, the only other mod I had the dealer install was the invisible bra... front and back. Having read many threads like this one, it figured to be a no-brainer.

[DeCleaner]

Skip the platnum care-check!

What about "gap insurance"?

[windstrings]

Originally posted by DeCleaner@Nov 19 2005, 06:08 PM
Skip the platnum care-check!

What about "gap insurance"?

[snapback]158381[/snapback]

There is no gap is there?.. if you buy the warranty before 3 years/36K?
NOt sure I follow you?

And I would definately do that!.. It would not be fun being without it if you had problems later on such a high tech rig.

[DeCleaner]

Gap Insurance will pay off your loan if the car is totaled.

It's my first "new" car so I have no Idea if this is worth it...

[Godiva]

Silver exterior least likely to show scratches.

Get a gray interior.

Get the mats for both passenger area and cargo area. Also get a tonneau cover (cargo area).

Skip the extended warranty and buy it here from Troy.

Check out gap insurance with your lender. I got mine through my credit union with a loan Toyota couldn't beat. It's insurance. You buy it you'll never need it. You don't have it, your car will be totaled in a week.

I agree, get them to throw something in for free. Cargo net would be my choice. I got my salesman to get me the cargo tote (which I love so much I bought another) as I had already bought a cargo net through a third party.

**********************

For things from someone OTHER than the dealer I have exactmats. Also seat covers, dash covers, wheelskins, the horizontal cargo net, and the trim guards on both sides. I also installed a beeper in my back taillight and bought a third fob.

BTW I'm in SoCal and my Prius is black. I don't find it a problem.

I'd skip the windowshades sold here and get the cheap fold away kind with the wire edges for the front. I haven't tined my windows yet but I will eventually. Do a search for tint here to read up on that.

I had an invisible bra installed as well and like it so much I'll be doing it to all future cars from now on. But you can also get either a regular bra or a hood shield from Canada.

I do recomment the mudguards. It has certainly contained the splashing up on the paint from driving through puddles.