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My 2009 turns out to be a 2008

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Chris11, Apr 20, 2010.

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  1. Chris11

    Chris11 Member

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    I bought my 2009 Pruis in Sept. 2008. I was told it was brand new, which I assumed was correct since it only had 46 miles on the odometer.

    When I first insured it, the card directly from the insurance company said a 2008. I inquired of the agency I bought the insurance through and she said typo and gave me a new typed card which said it was a 2009.

    About one month ago I received the renewal notice and included with it was another card which said 2008. I again phoned the agent and she said she'd informed the company last time and didn't know why it still said 2008. Upon phoning me back she said the VIN reflected that the car is actually a 2008.

    I feel like I've not only been duped but that I paid for a 2009 model and received a 2008. Resale will suffer.

    Has anyone experienced this and what did you do about it.

    Thanks.
     
    #1 Chris11, Apr 20, 2010
  2. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    What did the [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monroney_sticker"]Monroney Sticker[/ame] say? This giant label has clearly indicated model year on every new car I have ever purchased.
     
    #2 fuzzy1, Apr 20, 2010
  3. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    This is one good reason for always hanging onto the original window sticker.
     
    #3 paprius4030, Apr 20, 2010
  4. snead_c

    snead_c Jam Ma's Car

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    Wow ! First time I've heard this. What does your paperwork from the sales transaction say ? Was there a "Mulroney (sic?)" sticker on the window?
    If sales paperwork reflect 2009 I'd head to the dealer. They seem to owe you a 2009...:confused:
     
    #4 snead_c, Apr 20, 2010
  5. Chris11

    Chris11 Member

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    After reading what you said, and the link you provided, I grabbed my complete file on the car from when I bought it. And yep, I'd put the window sticker in the file and it does say 2009.

    Thanks for that.

    So why does the insurance company insist it's a 2008?
     
    #5 Chris11, Apr 20, 2010
  6. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    Sounds like you should have someone from Toyota call the Insurance Co. and set them straight.
     
    #6 paprius4030, Apr 20, 2010
  7. Chris11

    Chris11 Member

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    That's not a bad idea.
     
    #7 Chris11, Apr 20, 2010
  8. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    #8 cwerdna, Apr 20, 2010
  9. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    deleted duplicate post
     
    #9 fuzzy1, Apr 20, 2010
  10. Chris11

    Chris11 Member

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    Ahh. My tenth number in the VIN "IS" a 9. So according to the link you provided in Wikipedia that would make my car a 2009.

    I guess a call to the agent, requesting she call the insurance company, to yell at them for causing me this heartburn would be in order. :)

    Thanks so much everyone.
     
    #10 Chris11, Apr 20, 2010
  11. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Next step: verify that the VINs on the sticker and car match.

    If they do, the problem is likely in the insurance company's system, or they have copied the VIN incorrectly. All you really care is your insurance card/policy VIN is correct.

    If not, there may be a stealership problem.
     
    #11 fuzzy1, Apr 20, 2010
  12. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Well my 2006 has a 06 VIN and is labelled and insured as an 06, but some of the interior trim is from the 04-05 and not the 06-09. For instance the buttons where the cluster dim wheel is, is apparently different for those years. I ordered a blank panel for an 06 and it definately didnt fit or look like it would fit anywhere in the car. Same part for an 05 and it fits.
     
    #12 2k1Toaster, Apr 21, 2010
  13. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    Well the 10th number in my VIN is 8, which jives with '08.
    Stangely enough the JBL system in the car is the '09 version as indicated by the 3 plug JBL power amp.....a '08 should have a 2 pug JBL amp. At least that what the TIS schematic indicate!
     
    #13 KK6PD, Apr 21, 2010
  14. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    What's the texture of your dash? Do you have hybrid badges on the sides? Those were two very visible changes that started with the 06. Some 06 to 09s have the newer higher res MFD but some definitely don't. Also, the "guess gauge" and shift indicator switched sides on the 06 vs. the 04 to 05s.
     
    #14 cwerdna, Apr 21, 2010
  15. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    My dash is... textury? It is more hard plastic than soft plush like in our Lexi.

    I do have the hybrid tags on the side, and I have the high res 800x480 MFD. My guess gauge is on the right, and gear select on the left of the cluster.
     
    #15 2k1Toaster, Apr 21, 2010
  16. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Fascinating. I attached a few pages from the 2006 NCF manual, and those changes were undocumented.
     

    Attached Files:

    #16 Patrick Wong, Apr 21, 2010
  17. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Curious....what does the metal plate say on the drivers side door jamb. The plate is riveted on the right jamb on you enter the car about knee high. Its black and has a bar code on it and should say on the top line:

    TOYO MANU (and then a date)

    Whats your date say? Mine says 7//07 Which is odd because I bought mine 7/2/07 and thats not a dealer installed plate.

    I'm just curious. Thanks.
     
    #17 edthefox5, Apr 21, 2010
  18. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Yeah, the texture is rougher (for the lack of a better word) on the 06 thru 09s. All the rest of what you describe is just like my 06.
     
    #18 cwerdna, Apr 23, 2010
  19. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    If the 10th digit is a '9' then your prius is a 2009.
     
    #19 malorn, Apr 23, 2010
  20. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Since you made me aware of this difference, I've found two photos that may be of interest.

    The photo of the disassembled dash comes from my 2004 while the other photo is from my 2007. The panel surrounding the instrument panel dimming control is quite different when you compare one picture to the other.
     

    Attached Files:

    #20 Patrick Wong, Apr 23, 2010
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