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Opinions Please on Original Wheels on Prius II through V

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by cycledrum, Apr 26, 2011.

?

What are your opinions of the OEM wheels on the 3rd gen Prius?

  1. I'm happy with whatever wheels / covers get me the most MPGs

    20 vote(s)
    16.8%

  2. Completely satisfied, plastic wheelcovers and all

    7 vote(s)
    5.9%

  3. I don't like the plastic covers, took them off, but I like the bare OEM wheels

    35 vote(s)
    29.4%

  4. I don't like plastic wheelcovers, just offer it with attractive bare alloys

    27 vote(s)
    22.7%

  5. I like aftermarket wheels only, don't care what comes on the car

    3 vote(s)
    2.5%

  6. I've had one or more wheelcovers fall off while driving

    3 vote(s)
    2.5%

  7. I don't like the wheelcovers or the bare wheels and don't want to pay to replace

    15 vote(s)
    12.6%

  8. I would like a larger OEM wheel as an option at least on the III and IV trims

    17 vote(s)
    14.3%

  9. Hey, the Leaf comes with 16" wheels, can't we get the same size?

    6 vote(s)
    5.0%

  10. Mine came with 17" OEM wheels and I like 'em

    27 vote(s)
    22.7%
Multiple votes are allowed.
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  1. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Maybe 16" would knock one MPG off fuel economy.

    If it did, that would be 0.16 gallons of gas in 400 miles.
     
    #21 cycledrum, Apr 28, 2011
  2. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Ok, so add the 16" wheels / no covers into the III w/ navigation, but not plain III nor solar roof (to keep weight down).

    For the IV, add another option for navigation and 16" wheels, and keep plain nav option (for those who really want the 15's and economy).

    of course keep V as is.

    I would imagine Toyota purchased millions of 15" wheels for this gen, but never hurts to suggest.
     
    #22 cycledrum, Apr 28, 2011
  3. Thai

    Thai Prius Neophyte

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    BTW, there is probably a good reason why III and IV don't have 17" (or even 16") rims. As mentioned before, my guess is that if III or IV owners order the solar panels with 17" (or 16") rims, then this will put that Prius configuration over the weight limit for the class?? So, according to you guys, Toyota would need to have TWO sets of rims for III and IV depending on package option. That is too many choices...and would likely increase cost.
     
    #23 Thai, Apr 28, 2011
  4. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    What is this weight issue you guys speak of? If it is a few pounds hurting gas mileage figures, just publish a wider window of gas mileage dependent on what wheels the customer chooses. The car will still get good mileage with 15, 16 or 17" wheels as long as they have the low rolling resistance tires on them. Would Toyota even listen to this thread about wheel options or just keep selling the Prius the way it is now? Wishful thinking is fun though :)

    Mike
     
    #24 WE0H, Apr 28, 2011
  5. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    The problem is Toyota wants to advertise 50 mpg and they're big on it as you can see from commercials, ads, etc.
     
    #25 32kcolors, Apr 28, 2011
  6. Thai

    Thai Prius Neophyte

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    This is why Prius V cannot be had with solar panels...all this would put the Prius in a different weight classification and would have cost Toyota more money to get EPA testing for two separate classes on one vehicle.
     
    #26 Thai, Apr 28, 2011
  7. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    Ah the magical 50 mpg. I can see the reasoning then. Do the dealers offer wheel upgrades that can be purchased thru them at reasonable (normal) prices and included in a financed vehicle? I guess that would be called a dealer installed option :)

    tnx,
    Mike
     
    #27 WE0H, Apr 28, 2011
  8. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Yes, some offer port-installed 17" wheel option but it's not the same as the factory 17" wheel that everybody likes so much.
     
    #28 32kcolors, Apr 28, 2011
  9. Zedknepplin

    Zedknepplin semper prius

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    I really like the factory 17's. They are a breeze to clean! No cracks to catch dirt and brake dust. :rockon: Just wipe them down!

    [​IMG]
     
    #29 Zedknepplin, Apr 28, 2011
  10. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    No 17" wheels on III or IV

    No 16" wheels on III or IV with solar roof.

    Add 16" wheels w/ navigation as extra option in III and/or? IV trim.

    Ship a certain number of those in, see if customers prefer the car with 15's and covers or a sharp 16" no covers.

    Chances of Toyota doing this in this gen Prius, about nil. There should be an all-new reg. Prius in 4 years and a month or so.
     
    #30 cycledrum, Apr 28, 2011
  11. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Haven't seen one of those yet, or a pic.
     
    #31 cycledrum, Apr 28, 2011
  12. Bob Comer

    Bob Comer Active Member

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    I'd pick "I have 17" facotry wheels, but I wish I could have gotten 15" ones for better gas mileage," if that was a choice.
     
    #32 Bob Comer, Apr 28, 2011
  13. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Someone posted a pic of SET port-installed 17" wheels a long time ago, but I wouldn't know how to locate that thread.
     
    #33 32kcolors, Apr 28, 2011
  14. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Ok, so you wanted the adv. tech pkg, fogs and LED lamps, so therefore a V, right?
     
    #34 cycledrum, Apr 28, 2011
  15. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    You could make quite a profit by selling them and getting 15" ones. The factory 17" are hot commodity.
     
    #35 32kcolors, Apr 28, 2011
  16. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Seems it would devalue the car - came with 17's, then put 15's on it. Might be funky with the tighter steering ratio on V.

    In getting the V, If one must worry about max 0.5 gallons more pumped in over a IV, every 400 miles, hmmmm.. (a Nissan Armada would require 18.7 gallons more than Prius IV, every 400 miles)

    Would help to chart out the MPG (x) vs. gallons per mile (y) to see the big changes in fuel usage are in lower register of MPGs
     
    #36 cycledrum, Apr 28, 2011
  17. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Apparently there are people who care more about mpg than ruining the look of the car.
     
    #37 32kcolors, Apr 28, 2011
  18. Thai

    Thai Prius Neophyte

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    xxxxx
     
    #38 Thai, Apr 28, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  19. Bob Comer

    Bob Comer Active Member

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    Pretty much. I wanted the advanced tech package, the fogs and led headlights weren't really on my radar. I still haven't even used the fog lights yet other than to figure out how to turn them on.

    The DRCC has been so nice to have too, well worth the money just for that, it sure has made my daily commute much less stressful.

    As you can probably tell, I'm not really into how a car looks, I'm the silver squadron guy that admitted I really hate washing a car. :)

    I don't really plan on even thinking about getting 15's until I at least wear out a tire set or two.
     
    #39 Bob Comer, Apr 29, 2011
  20. Bob Comer

    Bob Comer Active Member

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    Possibly, but I'm here in South Carolina and it seems all the people that want 17's and have 15's to trade are all on the west coast.

    I'll probably end up buying a set of aftermarket 15's in a few years if gas keeps going up!
     
    #40 Bob Comer, Apr 29, 2011
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