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My New Prius Came Today! I'm Pissed! Help!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by ajoyce, May 18, 2010.

  1. ozarkgolfer

    ozarkgolfer Junior Member

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    I feel your pain on the front license plate. However, my last vehicle had pre-drilled license plate holes and I used the bumper plugs. I was not the end of the World.

    Gotta ask if you are sure about that Sandy Beach metallic and bisque interior. Don't go to the beach, you will lose it. Red looks pretty sweet.
     
  2. exbauer

    exbauer Active Member

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    I would not take delivery of the Prius if I had specifically told them that I didn't want holes drilled in the front of my car. But, at the same time I would assume that there wouldn't since where you live doesn't require a front plate. I would just tell the dealer to locate another one and make sure before hand that there are holes drilled in the front bumper.
     
  3. Superdrol

    Superdrol Member

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    I have to agree with rokeby and that was a well written post. If it is not this then over times other issues will be susceptible to occuringblike normal wear and tear. My corolla before had the same issue. I didn't like the holes and actually I wish I knew about bumper plugs. I just left metal screws in. Over time I didn't enjoy the car any less. The bumper plugs are a nice option though
     
  4. Joe166

    Joe166 New Member

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    The bumper plugs are a really good resolution. I feel your pain and if I thought the dealer had drilled the holes without needing to in order to put an advertising plate, I would walk, but this sounds like they got it with the holes and made the best of it. You could actually have them fill and paint and with modern techniques, I doubt you could tell, but I am telling you that bumper plugs, in the matching color are almost not noticeable.

    Forget about the NY Yankee plate. There are already enough people who will hate you for owning a Prius without taking that on.
     
  5. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    I waited 8 months for my Prius back in 2004. When it came, I was ecstatic. While I was in working through the finances with the sales guy and the Finance guy, a drunk monkey transferred my plates by bolting the front plate to the front of my BRAND NEW PRIUS with big-nice person screws directly into the bumper. No plate holder and it was off-center and crooked!

    I had already done the walk-around with the sales guy so I didn't even look at the front again until I got home, parked and as I walked into the house turned and looked over my shoulder. Wth?!

    There were two things that kept me from making a huge stink of it:
    1) The holes were covered by the plate holder.
    2) There were no spare parts. Period. Anywhere.
    (though I attacked them in the Customer Survey)

    In the end, it sounds as though everyone agrees that having the plate holder bolted to the front of your brand new car is not something you agreed to. As everyone said, you have every right to refuse delivery. Oh sure, the dealer isn't going to like it. They will try everything they can to convince you that it's okay. But it's up to you to decide exactly how much of a cost discount it'll take to make it okay.
     
  6. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    i jus tell the dealer;

    "hey its an understandable mistake and 5 free oil changes will blind me completely to the issue"
     
  7. F512M

    F512M Member

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    It's your money, do what you feel works for you. Good luck!
     
  8. ajoyce

    ajoyce Junior Member

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    Re: My New Prius Came Today! I'm Pissed! Help! RESOLUTION

    Thank you my Prius friends. For the most part you made me feel like I am not crazy. Here is an update for anyone who may be curious:

    Salesmen emailed me this morning and asked if I wanted them to pay for the second plate to go on the front (in PEI you are issued one plate for the back of vehicle). I declined and said I do not want anything on the front. He then called me and made another offer. They will take the vehicle in the shop and remove the plate cover and patch the holes (he said it will look as though it was never drilled through). I am happy with this fix as I know I will probably waiting awhile for a replacement Sandy Beach Metallic. They did all they could to make me happy (or make the sale). The car will be ready in two days. I am also getting hood deflector, cargo liner and bumper guard installed. Thanks again everybody for your support and I look forward to chatting with each of you on your threads. :)

    ajoyce
     
  9. peirhead

    peirhead Junior Member

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    I'd be concerned about the areo resistance from the unplugged holes, so I think you are doing the right thing by getting them filled. As for the comment about the beach...Hmmm we live here on PEI (Prius Excursion Island) and he must have forgot the sand was red...I'm the one who'll lose the car on the beach!!! Welcome to the club!
     
  10. lefat1

    lefat1 Fat Member

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    Re: My New Prius Came Today! I'm Pissed! Help! RESOLUTION

    Hood deflector? Bumper guard?:eek: Do you need a pocket protector cause I have one from the 70's..lol..
     
  11. pixelmixer

    pixelmixer New Member

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    Used to see a lot of happy customers post about bumperplugs.com on the Porsche Boxster Board. bumperplugs.com will also do custom parts such as painted center consoles and other interior/exterior parts.
     
  12. sktn77a

    sktn77a Member

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    Re: My New Prius Came Today! I'm Pissed! Help! RESOLUTION

    Ask them how they are going to make it "invisible". Spray paint blended into the factory paint will look OK for a year or two but you'll see it after that time (will look like the paint is failing).

    Sometimes the solution is worse than the problem!
     
  13. Golfman

    Golfman New Member

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    OOOW I am bad. I found the plate bracket in the back and installed it so I could put my Green Bay Packer Super Bowl XLV plate on. I guess I'm just not a purest.
     
  14. givenup

    givenup New Member

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    Have you ever gotten a fix it ticket for it? I got one in my old car but I didn't care, I just paid the 25 instead of the 10/fix it option.

    I have a front plate on my Prius but I didn't consider going without in California. If your state doesn't require one and you don't want one, just say no.
     
  15. Garik

    Garik New Member

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    Man! I wish I would have your problems! How good the life should be that you worry about two little holes on a bumper? :)
     
  16. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    ajoyce,

    I feel your pain, my bumper cover was also molested by the dealer not once but twice. I would prefer not to install or display a front plate even thought it is required here in Hawaii. On my previous car I did not install the plate when it came in and I was only stopped once in six years, no ticket I was let go with a warning. I velcroed it on annually for the safety inspection and promptly removed it. I was no so luck with my Prius the front plate bracket was installed at the port processing center. Two screws, two holes and a bracket not bad right? It gets better when I went down to take delivery whomever installed the dealership vanity plate and the dealer license plate frame used a screw that was about 1 1/4 inche long that was 3/4 more inches than needed. They screwed them right through the bracket and the bumper cover so now I have four holes. It looks like shit, I am going to look in to the bumper plugs mentioned above. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1301041132.095814.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1301041292.119031.jpg
     
  17. twittel

    twittel Senior Member

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    I agree that needing two state license plates is a pisser. NC only uses one plate, but I wanted the front bracket installed so I could hang my sports team plate, or my golf club plate.
     
  18. 007

    007 New Member

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    Hey....another maritimer.....welcome aboard.:welcome:
     
  19. 007

    007 New Member

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    Must of came from New Brunswick did it? I think they have plates in the front.
    $1000 to bring it in???? That's crazy, what dealership was THAT?
     
  20. 007

    007 New Member

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    Nope....NS only uses rear plates, nothing in the front.
    But I think New Brunswick uses both front & rear.
    He did say it was a three hour drive to bring it in....I think???