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Mods on a leased Prius, yes or no?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Luis138, May 13, 2010.

  1. Luis138

    Luis138 Angel Rat

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    Hi have had my Prius Cosme for 22 days now. The third day I took it to have the windows tinted, 35% in the front, 5% in the back. I also removed the plastic wheel covers but I am saving those.

    My question is: my Prius is a leased car, it is the first time ever I lease a car as all my previous cars have been purchases. I want to do additional mods such as:

    Shark fin antenna (maybe)
    Mud guards
    Lighted door sills
    Bluetooth
    Rear applique

    When I return my car, will the dealer charge me for these mods? Will I be penalized? I know some people might be saying why do all those mods in a car that is not mine but the way I see it is three years is a long time and I don't know if I will keep the car when the lease is over or get a 2014 model.

    If I do the mods, should I remove them before returning the car? Anybody with experience in this please help me.

    Thank you,

    Luis
     
  2. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    You should ask the people you're leasing the car from. Generally, mods of any type are discouraged, and you could be liable for the full cost of restoring the car to its original condition. Granted, some of what you're planning could be considered improvements, but they may not see it that way.
     
  3. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    Another question to ask yourself is if you want to spend your money making modifications and improvements to someone else's car...

    Generally as long as the mods aren't garish (lighted door sills, tint, mud guards aren't going to be an issue) then its not a problem.
     
  4. Luis138

    Luis138 Angel Rat

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    That is another question I have, why spend money in a car that might not be mine after 3 years. If it was my car I could always sell it for more.

    Then again, three years is a long time, I want to make the best out of my time with my Prius.

    Another mod I want to do and I forgot is fog lights.

    Luis
     
  5. Cassandra

    Cassandra ELECTRIC VEHICLE

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    From what I have heard you're not allowed to do mods to the car. Have you called and asked?
     
  6. Luis138

    Luis138 Angel Rat

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    I called my dealer and they said I could as long as it is nothing drastic like turning it into a limo or similar mods.

    Now, does a phone call have the same weight as a contract? I guess I would have to read the contract to be 100%. Also, who decides what is drastic? Adding fog lights to me is normal, they might consider it drastic. :(

    What the heck, I'll do it. It push comes to shove I'll buy the car and re-sell it. The price is fixed as to what I have to pay for it. I can probably resell it for more after my mods. Who knows.

    Luis
     
  7. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    A verbal contract's only worth the piece of paper it's written on. ;)
     
  8. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    I would get a written statement from the dealer including a list of the mods.

     
  9. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Or save up the money you would spend on mods. In three years, BUY a car you really want to OWN.
     
  10. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    I take it you've never leased and turned in a car before? Basically a guy comes out with a clipboard and marks down anything thats serious. Its kind of like turning a rental car in. Things like OEM looking foglights, even OEM looking wheels and such he isn't even going to notice. You don't need to get things in writing...they're not going to be willing to do that anyways.
     
  11. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    +1000000000000 This.
     
  12. Luis138

    Luis138 Angel Rat

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    No, as my original post states, this is my first time leasing a car. All my previous cars have been purchased.

    Luis
     
  13. Eddyman

    Eddyman New Member

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    I am leasing mine. I have already tinted the windows (back half) and installed 17 in wheels and tires. I am planning on installing OEM foglights. I have leased before, but, have never turned the car in after the lease. I have either purchased the car or sold it prior to lease end.
     
  14. LeadingEdgeBoomer

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    To quote the automotive leasing expert, Amy Winehouse: I say no no no.

    To quote real automotive experts (Click and Clack): What are you, nuts?

    All in fun, you waste your money as you please. I certainly do.
     
  15. New_Yorker

    New_Yorker New Member

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    More importantly why turn the Prius in at all. The buyout at lease end is usually far less than the retail sale price of the car. So buy it at lease end, and sell it for a profit, then your accessory add-ons help YOU make money, and the lease company need not be considered. Of course if you are a person who leases, and will then beat the livin'ell out of the car, and do minimal maintenance, then by all means dump it back on the lease company, and let the next victim worry about it.
     
  16. Luis138

    Luis138 Angel Rat

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    No, I take good care of my cars. I think I like your idea. Keep it and sell it, my mods will sure add to the value of the car.

    Luis
     
  17. mhadden

    mhadden Precision driver!

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    A contract I signed for my '10 Corolla from TFS that I leased specifically states that no modifications, including window tint, is to be added to the vehicle.

    But I agree with everyone else - why mod a lease, unless you are going to purchase it outright once your contract is over?:noidea:
     
  18. ePrius

    ePrius Member

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    I would not mod a leased Prius cause the car is not yours. Yes, you are paying to drive the car but you don't own the car.

    Why go through the hassle of spending the money to buy accessories for a car that you don't own. Then spending the time to install them. Once the lease is up, you would have to spend more time to remove the mods.

    It's a waste of YOUR time and money.
     
  19. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    Because you do it for your own enjoyment. Why do people paint places they rent and then paint them back white before they leave? Because they have to live in the property while they are renting it and want to enjoy it. Nothing wrong with that as long as you understand that the money is only being spent for your enjoyment.

    Honestly...any mods are really only for your enjoyment whether you own the car or not. If anything modifications LOWER resale value not raise it.
     
  20. Luis138

    Luis138 Angel Rat

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    Exactly, I figure if I am going to drive the car for 36 months, I might as well make the best of it. Although I am leasing the car, I see it as mine for the time being. The same as a purchased car, it is not yours until you finish paying it off. That is my opinion.

    I decided to go ahead and do the mods, my residual is pretty low, at the end of my lease term I'll buy it and sell it privately or keep it, depending on what the 2014 model has to offer.

    Luis