what is the best thing to do on a 3 week old Prius

I would wash it every weekend and if the weather is nice enough in your area I would not hesitate to wax it. Last year I bought a bottle of Meguiars Wax (I think it was an advanced Polymer wax) anyway it was in the $10 - $15 range and was the easiest one I've ever used. Those Mr. Clean car wash sprayers work pretty good too if you also buy a nice car wash sponge to use with it.

 

I go for clear bra, fender, and hood protection ASAP. In fact, I'd wrap as much of the car as possible.

 

It's a car. What would you do with any new car you bought?

 

Enjoy driving it.

 

Where in New York did you buy your car? I want to stay far away from that dealership. This is piss poor customer relations on the part of the dealer. They apparently don't care what their cars look like leaving the dealership with their name on them. (I hope you have or will remove any trace of the dealership's name they may have stuck on YOUR car.)
They may very well have waxed your car, maybe even detailed it and it was just not up to par from sitting on the lot.
These cars are shipped from overseas with all kinds of plastic covering them. There is a very small amount of release agent sprayed on the cars before this plastic is applied. After the plastic protective sheets have been removed, the car should be washed to remove any of the release agent.
To see if there is any wax on the car, I'd wash the car, if the water beads up (small drops) then I would forego the detailing at least until the weather gets a little better.
I don't care what the weather happens to be, my cars are at least washed every few weeks. Detailed when the weather allows me to do the work.
It's a matter of self pride (IMO) to drive a clean car.

 

I have had mine since November and I still have yet to wash it. I hosed it down once but never washed it. I don't trust the car washes with my baby, and the weather has yet to be warm enough for me to want to dunk my hands in a tub of freezing water. I let the rain take care of it for now and first 60 degree weather I will be out fully detailing it.
Enjoy it Jump...

 

Someone else?

 

Tint the Windows, have a 3m clear bra installed, take car to detailer and have the paint sealed and then hard coated with a high rez wax polymer, order weathertec trays for front and back and a weathertec cargo tray from McNiel Automotive. Install a cargo net in the back, treat your leather seats with conditioner and leather sealant, protect nav screen with a clear coat protector. I think that should cover it.

 

I've had mine a month. WeatherTech floor mats, front, back and cargo area. Seat covers and mud flaps. Wash it every cpuple of weeks ad rive for max mileage...54 mpg.


Thinking about a ScanGauge II.

Other than that I commute in it.

 

Put better tires on it, while you can still get money back on the OEM tires.
Wash, wax, put 404 on the dash.
Oh, time to check and see if you need to put some petrol in it.

 

whats wrong with the std tires? what tires would you trade them out for?

 

Next Prius I buy:

1. BT plate.
2. Mudflaps
3. Rear bumper protection
4. Hood bug guard
5. Tint
6. Wheelskins
7. Leather for all armrests and center console
8. Doorguards

Try Meguiar's NXT products. If you plan on doing your own detailing, consider a dual action polisher with several pad and bonnets.

 

Washing the car in winter can be better if you fill your buckets with warm water in the house. One bucket for soapy water. Second bucket for rinse water. Spay the car down with cold water from your hose. Then dip your hands into the wonderful warm and bubbly hand spa. Any time you start to feel your hands are getting the least bit could, it is time to rinse the sponge in the warm non bubbly rinse water and then dive them once more into the bubbly hand spa of the soapy water. Then just spay the car off again with the garden hose, and if you are planning on drying it, you could throw another bucket of warm water over the car first.