1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Black Prius - chrome "smile"

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by BubbaVO, Feb 11, 2008.

  1. BubbaVO

    BubbaVO New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2008
    53
    0
    0
    Location:
    Philly
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I've had the Prius for about a month and so far I really like it. Fuel economy is outstanding. Handling, acceleration and ride better than expected. In black, it looks good.

    But every time I walk up to my car, the little chrome strip reminds me of a "smile." Frankly, this is the only car i've owned that I felt like slapping.

    Has anyone tried to paint the chrome or tried to replace the front grill? Please let me know.

    Thanks.
     
    #1 BubbaVO, Feb 11, 2008
  2. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2005
    10,339
    14
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    This is why I love my '05 and am hesitant to trade it in.

    No chrome.
     
    #2 Godiva, Feb 11, 2008
  3. JimboK

    JimboK One owner, low mileage

    Joined:
    May 1, 2006
    2,817
    187
    49
    Location:
    Chesterfield, VA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    As Godiva suggests, 04 and 05 model years had a painted "smile." Maybe you can find one in decent shape at a salvage yard and replace yours.
     
    #3 JimboK, Feb 11, 2008
  4. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2005
    10,339
    14
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    I wonder if they'll ever go "retro" in future years and forget the chrome smile.

    Less chrome = more eco-friendly in my book.
     
    #4 Godiva, Feb 11, 2008
  5. BubbaVO

    BubbaVO New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2008
    53
    0
    0
    Location:
    Philly
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I guess, I'm not so eco friendly. I just want it to be aesthetically pleasing - like black/ black & tan german shepherds.
     
    #5 BubbaVO, Feb 11, 2008
  6. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2007
    7,512
    1,185
    0
    Location:
    Carmichael, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    #6 dogfriend, Feb 12, 2008
  7. NoMoShocks

    NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2007
    1,292
    82
    11
    Location:
    Camas, WA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Do a seach for PriusChat member "The Force" and check out his Avitar. It makes me smile.
     
    #7 NoMoShocks, Feb 12, 2008
  8. jukeboy

    jukeboy New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2005
    132
    4
    0
    Location:
    SGV, SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I'm thinking of getting mine done in a "black diamond" finish
     
    #8 jukeboy, Feb 13, 2008
  9. Winston

    Winston Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    614
    20
    0
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    I have seen photo's of a Black Prius with a red "smile". It looked really cool.
     
    #9 Winston, Feb 13, 2008
  10. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2007
    10,664
    567
    0
    Location:
    Adelaide South Australia
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I'd swap my Millenium silver (1C0) grill bar for a chrome one.
     
    #10 patsparks, Feb 13, 2008
  11. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2005
    10,339
    14
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    It's nice to know that if I ever trade my '05 in, I can cover up the chrome smile. But $200 is really pricey to mitigate something I never wanted in the first place and my car currently doesn't have. I'm still hoping the chrome will go away. Aesthetically, I think the one little strip looks stupid.
     
    #11 Godiva, Feb 14, 2008
  12. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2007
    7,512
    1,185
    0
    Location:
    Carmichael, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    :confused: I thought you didn't have the chrome strip???:confused:

    I don't really like the chrome strip on my 07, but I don't care enough to spend $185 on getting rid of it. I can't see it while I'm driving. ;)
     
    #12 dogfriend, Feb 14, 2008
  13. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2005
    10,339
    14
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    I don't. My '05 doesn't have the chrome strip and that's one of the things I like about it and why I haven't considered trading it in. Eventually I will. When I do I'd like my Prius NOT to have a chrome smiley face. So i can hope they eventually do away with it by the time I'm ready to trade. Or I have to spend $200 to cover up something I don't want and my current car doesn't have.

    The chrome smiley is just another incentive for me to keep my current Prius.

    They made some other changes too....like switching the display around for speed and the transmission. I haven't read a decent reason for why they did that either.
     
    #13 Godiva, Feb 14, 2008
  14. Winston

    Winston Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    614
    20
    0
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Funny, I think the little chrome smile looks good.:)
     
    #14 Winston, Feb 14, 2008
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)