Blue Ribbon vs. Spectra Blue

If anybody has a chance to take pictures of a 2010 blue ribbon metalllic next to a Gen II spectra blue mica, please post them here!

I have the Blue Ribbon Metallic and if someone in New Hampshire has a Spectra Blue Mica then we can park them side by side and I can take pics.
My sister who is up from Florida has rented a 2009 Prius but it's white.
I think the Blue Ribbon Metallic looks better than the Spectra Blue Mica.

I'm glad you like your Blue Ribbon Metallic. In what way do you think it looks better than the SBM?

I've seen the SBM on the Prius a few times and always found it very attractive. I think one of the reasons I liked that color was because it was so different from all the previous Prius colors, and it wasn't a really bright blue, which I'm not fond of. I was even thinking of buying a 2009 touring edition in that color (I have a 2006). However, the 2010 is in BRM, which is a little different. I've seen the BRM on other cars but not on the Prius, and I haven't been crazy about it -- but maybe it's because of the cars. I've never liked Camrys anyway, which is one of the cars I've seen the color on. I don't remember if I saw it on a Corolla -- I don't like them either.

That's why I'd like to see the two together - to see whether I was just imagining I liked the SBM more.

When we were shopping for our 2009 Prius Touring #6, the salesman told us one was available in Spectra Blue Mica, if we were interested. I looked it up at the Toyota site, but the brochure photo of the SBM, while aesthetically pleasing, didn't give me a true impression of what the color would be, as it reflected the surrounding cityscape.

The salesman didn't have one on the lot, so he took us to a Blue Ribbon Metallic Camry and said it was similar but couldn't remember if it was lighter or darker. We liked the BRM well enough to give him the go-ahead with an order. When the SBM arrived, we liked it even better!

BTW, my search for Spectra Blue Mica on Google actually led me to this forum. Fortuitous indeed!

Glad it worked out for you!

I'll do my best to answer this because we had been looking at a 2009 some time back and that was Spectra Blue.
The Blue Ribbon has a kind of cobalt look to it (my favorite color). It also seeems to change colors in the sunlight. The Spectra Blue seemed less vibrant. It was more of a real blue than the Blue Ribbon. It seemed almost more of a Navy-ish metallic than the Cobalt blue of the Blue Ribbon. There was no Pop out at you Wow factor on the Spectra Blue but looking at the Blue Ribbon gleam in the sunlight. It just looks amazing!
Colors are a very personal thing. I have nothing against Blue Spectra nor any other colors but for me this is the best color. It really needs to be viewed in the sunlight.

Your description of Blue Ribbon is exactly like mine of Spectra Blue - it's almost a cobalt color but looks different as the light changes. I think it's quite vibrant. I would love to see them side by side.

Thanks. It's funny, but I kind of thought the opposite. I found the SBM more eye-popping. I guess it's purely personal taste. At the same time, it could have been because all the cars in BRM that I saw in the dealer's lot probably needed cleaning - and - most importantly - they were NOT Prii! It could also have been because I kind of fell in love with the SBM when it came out and no other color would quite live up to it (and of course, since it's no longer available I can't have it, which has made it even more desirable).

BTW, how is your back doing?

Funny thing, isn't it, that we have such individual and very subjective responses to and opinions of color?

I really liked the Spectra Blue color when I first saw it, and when I found out it was going to be discontinued, I was surprised. I saw the Blue Ribbon Metallic on a 2010 in Detroit and was stunned by the color. I then went from dealership to dealership looking for the color. It was on the Camry, but it just didn't look the same!

I compared the Camry BRM to the 2009 Prius SBM, and I still preferred the Spectra Blue Mica. When the 2010 Prius arrived in Blue Ribbon Metallic, though, it just seemed different. Perhaps it is because there are fewer flat planes on the Prius, because it seems like a different color on the Prius than on the Camry.

I now have the 2010 Prius in Blue Ribbon Metallic, and I really like the color. I still wanted to get Silver Pine Mica or another green color, but I think I like this blue!

Spectra Blue Mica









Blue Ribbon Metallic






No Mo Shocks' Blue Ribbon


rcsting's Blue Ribbon


Steve Cebu's Blue Ribbon

Yes, it's very subjective. I think Ble Ribbon is a deeper blue than the Spectra Blue, but both colors are very good looking.

My back is a lot better thanks.
I didn't want to get the seat modified while I was still in pain.
But now may family is up from Florida so I can't get it done yet.
Toyota Corporate said modifying the seat could potentially void my warranty and if there was an accident it could invalidate their responsibility.

Hi MaggieMay, Thanks! Yes, I love the car, it's great! Well worth the wait.
A few niggles with the seat but I'm working on that this week.
I know you are down in Mass, but if you'd like to come up this way I could let you take mine for a short test drive if you like?
My wife and I have been showing this car off to everyone but haven't let anyone else test drive it yet.
The Prius is very popular here.[/quote]

Aww, thanks Steve! - I finally have time to get to the dealership to drive the car and torture him until he gets me a firm delivery. I read your post in the impressions thread and saw your pics - Wonderful!! I know you and your wife were anxious to get it - I'm glad it all worked out for you! :clap2:

Ok here is another pic or two that shows it has different shades of color.

Aww, thanks Steve! - I finally have time to get to the dealership to drive the car and torture him until he gets me a firm delivery. I read your post in the impressions thread and saw your pics - Wonderful!! I know you and your wife were anxious to get it - I'm glad it all worked out for you! :clap2:[/quote]

Thanks MaggieMay

I can't wait to see yours, post lots of pics when you get it! :cheer2:
I can't post any until it stops raining.

Thanks for posting -- they do look very similar but with different pictures taken at different times it's hard to compare.

Exactly! They need to be side by side.

Well if anyone in Mass or New Hampshire wants to meet in the middle so we can take pics, so they can be compared, just send me a PM and we'll make a time to do it. (long sentence)