Record Straight on Prius Convertible

[exproducer]

Appreciate the comments left by all regarding the conversion of my Prius to a convertible. Have a thick skin so doesn't affect my Prius Chat participation even if you posted you hate the modification.

A few updates:

The color of the car was originally posted then picked up in countless threads as Waveline Blue (given to me incorrectly by salesperson) when actually it is Seaside Pearl. You can see photographs in the Prius photograph album for exproducer.

Originally, I had posted mpg figures on the convertible with not enough miles driven on both local and freeway driving as some questioned the figures. They were correct and after 2500 miles mostly with the top down, freeway 45 mpg, local roads around Los Angeles 40 mpg with the top down. With the top up no increase in mileage, exactly the same. Appears a loss of approximately 5 mpg from original hardtop.

I had been offered by Newport Engineering who handled the conversion to strengthen the underside with additional steel L mounts to the sides of the undercarriage near both the front tires and a underside plate offered as an accessory on the Prius Store for no additional charge to give even more stability to the drive. After driving the Prius with the top down, the drag, any shimmy effect from wind, balance, running over rough pavement even at speeds of 70 mph, there was no need for any adjustment as car is a smooth ride and needs no additional modifications.

The total cost of the conversion was somewhat misleading in the original post as after taxes and all preparation the cost was not $15,000 but $18,500.

After a few reviews by ABC, Edmunds etc. have indicated was/is not my purpose when the conversion was made to snob up the car so ended all those requests for further parading overviews.

Personally to Prius owners, who may understand, there's not enough space to say how much pleasure driving the Prius as a convertible feels, handles and glides through roads of California in summer. It is nothing less than spectacular.

Thanks to Orange County Prius Club, great group of people, for making us welcome and viewing other members terrific modifications and Prius specs of all types.

exproducer

[imwoody36]

Hello I really like your prius EXPRODUCER, but I claim the first Prius convertible.

please visit this forum at this link for photos.
Convertible hybrid

I seldom drive it because there is NO RAGTOP ha! Perhaps someday mine will get one.