Record Straight on Prius Convertible

[Grunthos]

Originally Posted by zenMachine

Though I'm not crazy about its look (especially the plastic rings on the wheels), I must say this is the baddest mod of them all.

What about the six-door Prius?

[rpiereck]

Although I love convertibles, I prefer them with two doors and two seats. Your Prius is, however, unique and for that I think it's really cool. Not my cup of tea. Thumbs up for the originality!!

[exproducer]

Originally Posted by TheForce

Cool! Think you could make it to Hybridfest this year to show off the car?

Tell me more about the fest, time date, etc.

[efusco]

Originally Posted by exproducer

Tell me more about the fest, time date, etc.

Hybridfest, a hybrid electric car show and more!
July 19-21 in Madison. It's really a great event, well sponsored, lots of unique conversions of hybrids, there will be some EVs there as well.

[Jack66]

I love the modification and think it is great when owners push the envelope of the possible. That kind of stuff gets other people thinking and breaking ground for the rest of us (if we can wait that long).

Personally, I don't want to spend my oldest daughter's college fund to have a convertible, but it sure looks great!

[roguetech]

Originally Posted by ForTheGlory

Am I the only person who doesn't buy the posted FE numbers?

2 mpg decrease with the top down, 4 mpg increase with the top up?

-It seems to me like the enormous drag increase from removing the roof would hurt more than 2 mpg, especially because the the aerodynamics of the front of the car were not designed for the convertible application.

-How can making this mod possibly IMPROVE the fuel economy of the car? The roof itself does weigh less, but overall the car must be heavier than the stock model.

Since OP removed the side air-bags, and the roof, as well as possibly a lot of other materials from the doors, trunk, etc., I would imagine he has trimmed a lot of weight from the car. Mind you, it's not as safe and possibly weaker structurely.

Originally Posted by freshmtt

I would never spend that much money for a car anyway, defeats the purpose of being economical...

Prius is not necisarily the most "economical" car from a simple price tag or total cost of ownership stand-point. Total cost of ownership on a new concept (relatively speaking) of car is generally higher, and is risky at best. If you purchased a Prius for savings alone, my apologies to you.

Environmently, the mod has little impact. The manufactor of the top, the mechanism, and the new interiors. Most of the cost came from labor or so I would imagine, and discounting heavy breathing from work, there's no environmental impact. Does make me think that he could have nearly purchased a second car and donated it to a charity.

[ForTheGlory]

Originally Posted by roguetech

Since OP removed the side air-bags, and the roof, as well as possibly a lot of other materials from the doors, trunk, etc., I would imagine he has trimmed a lot of weight from the car. Mind you, it's not as safe and possibly weaker structurely.

Not as safe and weaker, but he also added a hydraulic system for the roof. That's got to add significant weight. Maybe I'm off-base, but my understanding is that convertibles are almost always heavier than their non-convertible counterparts. Maybe that's just for hard-tops?

[zenMachine]

Originally Posted by Grunthos

What about the six-door Prius?

That one's bad too, but I think the convertible is technically much more complex.

[BitShifter01]

Originally Posted by roguetech

Prius is not necisarily the most "economical" car from a simple price tag or total cost of ownership stand-point. Total cost of ownership on a new concept (relatively speaking) of car is generally higher, and is risky at best. If you purchased a Prius for savings alone, my apologies to you.

Dude, I don't know what you are smokin' but with a paid off 2004 Prius, price of gas being $4/Gal, and a 40 mile trip to work a day, I am saving a boat load of cash and my Prius has more than paid for itself. Oh, and for your opinion, it was announced that the 2009 Prius will have a starting price of 21,000, not to mention PROBABLY another tax CREDIT. So, my apologies to you for not being more educated!

[chrisspaulding]

.
The top and top stow away compartment would look MUCH better in black - to match the window frames.

Interesting mod, great work!

tough break on losing the airbags though.
.