Cheap Mods for broke teen...

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Ueki, Apr 30, 2020.

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  1. Ueki

    Ueki Junior Member

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    Hi there! First time posting anything. Recently received a 2011 White Gen3 Prius as my first car! I don’t have much cash but I really want to make it look cooler. A lot of people have made fun of me for driving a hybrid when all my peers are driving BMW and Chargers or whatever. (Hey they are the ones paying for gas lol) so I just want to hear from this great community about any and all mods that I can to spice it up whilst staying on a tight budget. Projects over $200 are frowned upon by my wallet.

    Cheers!

    Thanks in advance!
     
    #1 Ueki, Apr 30, 2020
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  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Welcome to PriusChat!

    Well guess they'll be simple mods


    • Swap out interior lights to LEDs (front door courtesy, dome light, map lights, trunk light and vanity mirror lights). When I had my Gen 3, I picked "cool white" or "natural white" depending on application. (I had "natural white" for the trunk area, "cool white" for the map lights and dome lights. I went with "red" for the door courtesy lights and I left the vanity lights stock since they're usually supposed to be softer lighting)
    • Swap out exterior lights to LEDs (I did the front-facing parking light.. the one above the high beams and the licence plate lights. I left the others out but you could swap out the reverse lights if you wish and the indicators if you want to add a relay to control the flash rate)
    • Sport pedals. I didn't do that on my Gen 3 but I did on my Gen 2 (Type R stainless steel/blue rubber pads) and currently on my Prime (RAZO dark chrome with black rubber anti-slip pads)
    • Window tint?
    • You may luck out with a used set of rims for $200? (That might be pushing it but you never know. Just make sure it's good quality and won't crack the first time you hit a pothole)
    • Sharkfin antenna mod
    • Some people like putting eyelids over the front-facing parking light to slim out the headlight look

    Check out @HAWAIIANBUILT's Prius (and check out this mod section) for ideas.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, May 1, 2020
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  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    #3 JimboPalmer, May 1, 2020
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  4. Ed Beaty

    Ed Beaty Active Member

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    Just make SURE you get the 10 inch one...
     
    #4 Ed Beaty, May 1, 2020
  5. KennyGS

    KennyGS Senior Member

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    I never worried about cool cars when I was a broke teenager. All of my friends who always got a free ride NEVER laughed at me.
     
    #5 KennyGS, May 1, 2020
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  6. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    My only warning is that whatever mods you execute, you're probably never going to impress those people making fun of you now.
    For them? It's only going to be lipstick on a pig.

    So whatever "mods" just do what you are doing and just enjoy the vehicle for yourself. Those that want to can come along for the ride OR not.
     
    #6 The Electric Me, May 1, 2020
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  7. Ueki

    Ueki Junior Member

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    haha definitely, is that irony? Self-mockery? Definitely buying that.

    Yes, my father told me the same thing. And just cleaning the vehicle and meticulously scrubbing and wiping made me happy to be the owner of a car period. I guess the point of these modifications would be for me to personalize the car to my style.

    Awesome, I will be definitely navigating forums for more info on all of that. Thank you so much!
     
    #7 Ueki, May 1, 2020
    Last edited by a moderator: May 1, 2020
  8. Djjkarate

    Djjkarate Member

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    #8 Djjkarate, May 1, 2020
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  9. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Save your money, keeping up with the Jones will never move you ahead financially. Invest early into retirement 401ks, it grows exponentially. If not, your debt will do that.
     
    #9 Grit, May 1, 2020
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  10. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Oh god.
    Now I'm sounding like other peoples fathers.
     
    #10 The Electric Me, May 1, 2020
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  11. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    LOL
    Yeah...I know, right?

    @Ueki You know who almost nobody makes fun of?
    Wealthy males in their late 40's to early 50's.

    Maybe driving a paid-for vintage muscle car, or taking up flying....starting up a non-profit, knocking out some bucket list items...or just spoiling grand babies (or children if you're into the trophy wife thing.)
    In other words......doing "you" without having to sweat the whole money thing.

    You know who almost EVERYBODY makes fun of?
    NON Wealthy males of all ages trying to fake NOT being non Wealthy males.

    It's not the wealth thing....it's more the FAKING it thing.
    Believe me....NOBODY is going to remember the car you're driving now but YOU - and if you're wise with your money NOW....you will not be the financial equivalent of a dude with hair plugs later.

    Besides.....a bone stock Prius is almost like having diplomatic immunity where local law in concerned.
    I'm not advocating that you do anything illegal by any means, but if you're at PSL+10 running late to work, some LEO with a radar gun is going to notice your buds with the tint, rims, fart cans and springs and pretty much leave YOU alone.
     
    #11 ETC(SS), May 1, 2020
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  12. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    A post for the ages.
     
    #12 ChapmanF, May 1, 2020
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  13. Ueki

    Ueki Junior Member

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    @ETC(SS) Thank you. This car is indeed a lesson from my parents. It's 9 years old and not the honest thing on the market. The thing is my parents had the capacity to purchase a sports car or a muscle car or even a Tesla for me. Instead, they gave me this beautiful used white hybrid. At first, I was mad, but through finding this forum I found that it's more important to care for the car you have and to really cherish it. Anyone can buy a fancy sports car, but if you have the knowledge and workmanship to care for your car is far more valuable. Even driving a Prius which haven't always looked the hottest (I'm looking at you Gen 1) the people who own these cars have care and pride in their cars and I know many of my friends don't have the same kind of pride.
     
    #13 Ueki, May 1, 2020
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  14. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Agree. Additionally...save that "mod money" for your first wreck. Statistically it WILL happen sooner than you think. Look at driving the Prius as character building. I put my Son in my Beetle for High School and in my Prius for College. FWIW...he now works for the US Forestry Service and is a Hot Shot Fire Fighter during season.
     
    #14 frodoz737, May 1, 2020
    Last edited: May 2, 2020
  15. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    So he's not gonna inherit your Corvette.....he's gonna buy his own with cash before he's too old to have fun with it.....:D
     
    #15 ETC(SS), May 1, 2020
  16. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    oooh...he's hoping, if I don't take it with me. I already bought him a Tacoma for getting his Degree (w/o turning into a drunk, druggie, making babies or getting into trouble with the Law)...and of course gittin hiz Gubermint job. Finding tail is on him. ;)
     
    #16 frodoz737, May 1, 2020
  17. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Second time in 5 minutes I've used this:

     
    #17 ETC(SS), May 1, 2020
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  18. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Funny how that works. Definitely improves the selection pool.
     
    #18 frodoz737, May 1, 2020
  19. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Many of them won't be able to sustain that lifestyle when they get out on their own and are no longer supported by the Bank of Mom & Dad. By playing your cards well now, you'll have plenty of opportunity to surpass most of them later.

    Better yet, have a matching or better non-retirement investment account. Though that is more applicable to the older generation who in their youth had much lower 401(k) contribution caps than exist now. The additional savings had to go somewhere else.

    The higher contribution limits today allow more to go into the 401(k) / 403(b).

    No need for the same in a house. In high property tax areas, the local government will tax away the entire home value during one's lifetime.
     
    #19 fuzzy1, May 2, 2020
    Last edited: May 2, 2020
  20. Solar Blue

    Solar Blue Member

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    I've read good things about the rear sway bar mod. It's not something that will wow the lookers-on, but it will give it a sportier driving feel.
     
    #20 Solar Blue, May 2, 2020
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