results of cross country trip

Prius Maximus · 11-28-2004, 10:17 PM

Went from Chicago to Arkansas for the Holiday. Packed up the family and gear (basically 4 adults) for a week. Just barely enough room for all.

The car handled better than expected in Arkansas' hills. Never short on power even with the full load.

The tires handled the wet curves well - much better than expected actually for oem junk tires.

The seats did get a little uncomfortable after 8 or 9 hours, but then any seat will after that long.

Put on over 1500 miles, and averaged 44 mpg. Not bad for a full load, hills and stormy winds.

Unfortunately, a dog decided to play guided missile as I went by at 70 mph on I-44. Took out the bumper, part of the undercarriage, and a fog light. My reservoir thermos now makes a lot of noise when pumping in and out. I'm hoping it's just broken insulation letting noise out. I'll update this post when I get repaired. I may go ahead and get the gas tank upgraded as I think this will be a lengthy process. I am not looking forward to my 100+ mile daily commute without my prius

Prius Maximus · 12-18-2004, 02:44 PM

The estimate is $1,500. Parts were ordered Monday, all but 1 came in by Wednesday, the bumper cover came in Friday. Dropped car off Saturday for an expected 3 day repair.

Prius Maximus · 01-04-2005, 12:49 PM

$2,050. 1 Week and 3 days in the shop. Sparky's home. And she's as good as new.

Since the insurance company paid for it, I don't have a complete list of parts and labor charges. Essentially, the bumper cover, grill, condenser, the wheel well liner, fog light assembly and other parts under the bumper all had to be replaced. After getting the parts and starting the repair, they determined the solenoid for the reservoir pump was broken and had to order more parts. The replacement of the solenoid set off the check engine light. So the body shop had to take it to a dealer to reset the light.

I was worried after hearing horror stories about other people not being able to get parts, but they were all available in 1-3 days.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 01-04-2005, 01:18 PM

Maximus,
If you are satisfied with the repair and the employees, please share with us where the work was done.

Prius Maximus · 01-04-2005, 01:59 PM

Collision Revision, Larkin Ave., Joliet

In addition to a fine repair, they washed the car, shampooed the trunk mat (I had it all muddy from my work boots) and possibly the seats too, cleaned all the glass, the instrument panels, the dashboard. They even filled a cup holder with mint candy.

They were very good about updating the progress of the repairs. Friendly employees, but I didn't have time to chat about the car or the work as I had to drop off and pick up just before their closing time.

DaveinOlyWA · 01-04-2005, 02:41 PM

sorry about the dog...

glad to hear you got great service though. a good mechanic is a very valuable asset

11-28-2004, 10:17 PM	#1
Prius Maximus Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Northeastern IL Posts: 187 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	results of cross country trip Went from Chicago to Arkansas for the Holiday. Packed up the family and gear (basically 4 adults) for a week. Just barely enough room for all. The car handled better than expected in Arkansas' hills. Never short on power even with the full load. The tires handled the wet curves well - much better than expected actually for oem junk tires. The seats did get a little uncomfortable after 8 or 9 hours, but then any seat will after that long. Put on over 1500 miles, and averaged 44 mpg. Not bad for a full load, hills and stormy winds. Unfortunately, a dog decided to play guided missile as I went by at 70 mph on I-44. Took out the bumper, part of the undercarriage, and a fog light. My reservoir thermos now makes a lot of noise when pumping in and out. I'm hoping it's just broken insulation letting noise out. I'll update this post when I get repaired. I may go ahead and get the gas tank upgraded as I think this will be a lengthy process. I am not looking forward to my 100+ mile daily commute without my prius __________________ MMIV Driftwood IX - ordered 2/5/04 delivered 03/08/2004 best tank: 60.5 mpg. LT Avg: 51.9 mpg. 131,100 miles as of 7/07/08 2,160 gallons saved, $5,575 gas cost saved compared to Dodge Neon

12-18-2004, 02:44 PM	#2
Prius Maximus Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Northeastern IL Posts: 187 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: results of cross country trip The estimate is $1,500. Parts were ordered Monday, all but 1 came in by Wednesday, the bumper cover came in Friday. Dropped car off Saturday for an expected 3 day repair.

01-04-2005, 12:49 PM	#3
Prius Maximus Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Northeastern IL Posts: 187 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: results of cross country trip - repairs done $2,050. 1 Week and 3 days in the shop. Sparky's home. And she's as good as new. Since the insurance company paid for it, I don't have a complete list of parts and labor charges. Essentially, the bumper cover, grill, condenser, the wheel well liner, fog light assembly and other parts under the bumper all had to be replaced. After getting the parts and starting the repair, they determined the solenoid for the reservoir pump was broken and had to order more parts. The replacement of the solenoid set off the check engine light. So the body shop had to take it to a dealer to reset the light. I was worried after hearing horror stories about other people not being able to get parts, but they were all available in 1-3 days.

01-04-2005, 01:59 PM	#5
Prius Maximus Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Northeastern IL Posts: 187 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: results of cross country trip Collision Revision, Larkin Ave., Joliet In addition to a fine repair, they washed the car, shampooed the trunk mat (I had it all muddy from my work boots) and possibly the seats too, cleaned all the glass, the instrument panels, the dashboard. They even filled a cup holder with mint candy. They were very good about updating the progress of the repairs. Friendly employees, but I didn't have time to chat about the car or the work as I had to drop off and pick up just before their closing time.

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01-04-2005, 01:18 PM	#4
TonyPSchaefer Ruler of Omicron Persei 8 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 7,618 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 4 Times in 2 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 13	Maximus, If you are satisfied with the repair and the employees, please share with us where the work was done.

01-04-2005, 02:41 PM	#6
DaveinOlyWA Opps !! I Did it Again!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 9,239 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 4	sorry about the dog... glad to hear you got great service though. a good mechanic is a very valuable asset