New owner, lots of ideas

[scapegoat]

I found this site about a week ago when doing research on buying a Prius. I have since purchased the car (which I have only had for a few days, but I already love), and am now going through the pages and pages of additions that people have made to theirs, and lots look to be fun to have and play around with, some useful, and some just for the sake for having goodies.

Here is what I am interested in so far, and none of it is really planned for immediate use, since I don't know what I am doing in my Prius yet anyway =) I just want to see if people have any suggestions on how all of these things would/wouldn't work together if I had them all, or for ones that I have a choice, what people recommend most.

My new ride is a '07 Touring, pkg #6 =D

Outside:
BT Plate (yes I've read the threads; I still want to try it)
mudflaps
body side mouldings
sharkfin antenna

Inside:
scangauge/CANView (looks like there are huge differences here; capbility vs cost)
EV Mod (Sigma button vs Coastal mod?)
Ultimate Lockpick3 w/address entry (anyone know if coastaletech service has improved? most negative threads here are from last year)
iPod integration (DICE/VAIS/other suggestions please? yeah, I know threads are everywhere here. I just want short n sweet =D )
Sirius radio (where to mount antenna? can I use 1 sharkfin for AM/FM and sirius?)
Toyota AllWeather mats (for winter)

I have now also read good things about Zaino protectant, Lexol leather products, and want to see what I can find out about additional lighting inside the car, like footwells, etc.

Comment away!

And yeah, I searched for all this stuff already, and found Tons of info. I just like trying to consolidate =D

[Rangerdavid]

Depending on your level of expertise, you may want to start with the "protection" items first, such as the mud flaps, all weather mats, and side mouldings. After that, I recommend the BT Plate, or do that simultaneously.

Then the Ipod install and EV mod, or could be done along with the lockpick, might as well while you have the dash taken apart, do it all.

As for the CAN View or ScanGauge II, I have the Scangauge II. It is less expensive and a cinch to install, just plug and play. The CAN View provides much more information, and detail. I've had my Prius since July '06 and I only want the Scangauge at this point. You may want to CAN. I therefore can't speak as to the install for that.

Sat radio would be great. Perhaps those who have it can advise you on that. Just enjoy your car!! Mod what you like, and when you want. Share your thoughts and impressions with us, we're all one big happy gas saving family here!! Good luck!!

[Bill Merchant]

All the outside stuff sounds good, but wait on the sharkfin antenna until you want to install the sat radio; you can mount a micro sat antenna through the roof hole and under the sharkfin (I hope you live in a strong signal area for AM/FM, not in the distant boonies – what about HD radio?). Put on the body side mouldings before you Zaino. And you didn't mention a tire upgrade? The OEM tires are a POS.

I have no particular comments about the inside mods. Get some 303 Protectant to keep the dash and plastic looking good (antistatic, also good on tires and even leather). The Coastal EV mod is invisible. Both the sat radio and DICE use the same socket on the head end unit; plug in the DICE first, then the sat radio into the DICE (no experience with the other brands.

[JimboK]

Welcome, scapegoat, to PriusChat and Prius-dom!

I agree with the others that you might consider external protection a priority. My first mods were mud guards, body side moldings, and a rear bumper applique.

I use Zaino, and agree with Bill about adding the side moldings first.

As for mats, I first purchased cheap clear vinyl floor mats from Advance Auto. They did the job, though they weren't that pretty. I later upgraded to ExactMats. I really like the way they look, though they don't trap dirt as well as the cheap mats (no grooves or edges), so I have to vacuum a little more. It's a reasonable trade-off; I like my baby lookin' good, inside and out. In bad winter weather, I throw one of the cheap ones down on the driver's side on top of the ExactMat.

I have a ScanGauge. The idea of the Can-view is nice, but I couldn't bring myself to spend the additional money. The SG provides me valuable information on engine parameters to help optimize fuel economy. The per-trip, per-day, and previous-day readings for fuel, mileage, speed, etc., are handy.

I've considered an EV switch, but there doesn't seem to be a clear consensus on whether it helps fuel economy. It could hurt it if over-used. I've gotten pretty good at inducing EV mode in a warm engine with feathering the pedal, so it would help me more with a cold engine, which I don't usually have (see below). If I was to buy one, it would not be from Coastal because of their very spotty customer service record.

Speaking of a cold engine, depending on where you are in CA, you might consider an engine block heater. It really accelerates ICE warmup, which helps efficiency.

I have XM, with the antenna on the dash. See this for a pic. It's not affecting the paint on the roof, installation was easier than routing the cable through the car, and reception is still good.

If you're like most, you'll find the paint on the nose eventually subjected to rock chips. I have a black vinyl bra, and I'm sure you've seen that others have bought the clear mask. Some are concerned about debris getting behind the bra and marring the finish. I've had mine on for about a year, and I had it off this past Sunday for the semi-annual Zaino treatment. The finish beneath the bra looked as good or better than what's exposed. There may be an issue finding a bra to fit the '06 and beyond. Toyota added a small air dam in '06 to the bottom of the front bumper that affected the fit of bras designed for earlier models.

I've added window tinting, in part to keep it cool in the summer.

The last mod I'll mention is Exact Fit covers on the front seat. I wanted something to protect the seats from coffee, sloppy burgers, and french fry crumbs. In addition, I'm pretty tall. Years of sliding my big frame into and out of the front seat in previous cars took a toll on the left edge of the driver's side factory seat cover.

Have fun!

[BethlehemPrius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ May 2 2007, 02:11 AM) [snapback]433781[/snapback]</div>

All the outside stuff sounds good, but wait on the sharkfin antenna until you want to install the sat radio; you can mount a micro sat antenna through the roof hole and under the sharkfin (I hope you live in a strong signal area for AM/FM, not in the distant boonies – what about HD radio?). Put on the body side mouldings before you Zaino. And you didn't mention a tire upgrade? The OEM tires are a POS.

I have no particular comments about the inside mods. Get some 303 Protectant to keep the dash and plastic looking good (antistatic, also good on tires and even leather). The Coastal EV mod is invisible. Both the sat radio and DICE use the same socket on the head end unit; plug in the DICE first, then the sat radio into the DICE (no experience with the other brands.
[/b]

Hey Bill,

I saw your comment on the tires, what would you recommend for replacements? I only have 4k on the tires now, so not sure I am willing to spend dough till they at least get some greater mileage on them, but was curious when you switched yours out and if you stuck wtih the same size or had to change rims also?

Thanks

Chris

[finman]

I've replaced mine with Goodyear Comfortreds. They seem much better in ride and quietness...meaning more comfortable ride and quieter than the OEM Integritys. I'm running 42/40 in pressure and same OEM rims, with no MPG difference. I will say I feel much better riding on these in wet, too. I'm not a tire person or particular to any brand, so take this all as anecdotal (sp)! I got just under 30K on the OEM Integritys.
The Comfortreds have an 80,000 mile warranty, fyi. My car actually feels new again...

Enjoy the new Prius!

[Cheap!]

If you are ever thinking about a Prius Plus conversion, get the Can-view as you need that anyway.

Anyone who already has the Can-view, can do a Prius Plus for about $500 in parts (circuit board and wires), $1,000 for batteries, and $1,000 for a charger. So after the Can-view you only need about 2,500 to do the conversion.

[Stepho84]

There's always gotta be someone here to ask stupid questions, so here I go.

What's the point of the Dice Ipod integrator? I have an auxillary jack already, so I don't really see the need.

Also, does the lockpick only work for higher end packages? I have package #2 which gives me no bluetooth or nav. Would it unlock anything new for me?

Barney style answers would be appreciated because really technical stuff tends to fly over my head.

[etyler88]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cheap! @ May 2 2007, 11:56 AM) [snapback]433984[/snapback]</div>

If you are ever thinking about a Prius Plus conversion, get the Can-view as you need that anyway.

Anyone who already has the Can-view, can do a Prius Plus for about $500 in parts (circuit board and wires), $1,000 for batteries, and $1,000 for a charger. So after the Can-view you only need about 2,500 to do the conversion.
[/b]

What is a Prius Plus?

And are you offering to put the parts together for me?

[bnardone]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(etyler88 @ May 2 2007, 02:40 PM) [snapback]434128[/snapback]</div>

What is a Prius Plus?
[/b]

Here