Prius bra: 2.5 years later

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Sep 19 2007, 08:42 PM) [snapback]515068[/snapback]</div>

Thanks for sharing galaxee. I personally really appreciate the photos you took.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Sep 19 2007, 09:42 PM) [snapback]515068[/snapback]</div>

Can I assume you meant the opposite?

When I was considering the purchase of a vinyl bra a year and a half or so ago, it was largely your comments then that moved me to get one. Though several had said, "Don't get one, it will scratch your paint," I had not seen any first hand reports from Prius owners actually confirming that. Then after seeing your favorable posts (and others), I figured that if it works with your black paint, it should work with my blue paint.

I rarely remove it, mainly for the semi-annual Zaino treatment. Like yours, the finish beneath the bra looks better than what's exposed. In my few short pre-bra months I had already accumulated several small rock chips. No more.

I'll have to watch that headlight attachment point. Thanks for the heads-up.

 

I purchased mine from autoanything.com for $66.50 thats the same price for the tundra,prius & camry.

Again beats 400-600 for the clear, I recently saw a car with the clear bra it was cracxking off and turning yellow. Nasty..

My wife had a semi tire shrapnel hit the front bumper on the cam and I pulled the bra off and not a mark in the paint the bra had a rubber scuff on it though, try that with a clear bra.

 

"the bra-covered area looks far newer than the hood and rear-fender areas"

I'm anxiously waiting for my Touring 08' package 6 to arrive and have been wondering about the bra. I've asked for the "vehicle shield" which is supposed to help with fading and sound elimination. I have a friend who ordered it and swears it has reduced the noise level. In reference to the fading, my assumption is if you had the vehicle shield you would get a new paint job for free as it would be easy to prove. All the more reason, at least for me, to get the bra.

Has anyone had any experiece with this? Does Toyota live up to the guarantee? I think this is just a Gulf States option but I'm not sure.


It's been amazing to be able to read everyone's experience with so many different topics, what a great site!

0o0~

 

I have the Le Bra brand front end bra for our Prius and it includes screen/mesh on the lower and upper grill sections. It also covers more area on the hood as the hood and lower bra cover around the highest portion of the headlamp. Like a mask, rather than only covering up to the mid level of the headlamps.

This is more covered area than the dealer supplied bra. I'll try to find a picture of my car with both bras for illustration.

I paid 50 shipped for the Le Bra and 70 shipped for the Toyota dealer version. Both found on ebay in New/Unused condition in box.

Our car is Metallic Silver so the swirls and scratches, like dirt and dust, may not be as noticable as a darker paint color. (.02)

 

Side view of Le Bra brand front end mask extends beyond headlamp. Attached using two inserts on the side of the headlamp and one below the headlamps.
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Wheel arch view of Le Bra brand front end mask attachments use small plastic clips.
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Front view of Le Bra brand front end mask. 'Le Bra' is stamped in the mask.
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Le Bra brand front end mask includes mesh screen over openings. No Toyota embroidery, only impression from hood emblem.
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Here is side view of the Toyota dealer version on top of the Le Bra front end mask. (Notice the snap on the end of the Toyota mask. The Toyota dealer version comes with spring clips to install a snap button inside wheel well for secure attachment. I have not used the Toyota mask yet and the notice is still shown as attached.)
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Here is front view of the Toyota dealer version on top of the Le Bra front end mask.
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I have not noticed any mileage difference between having bra on and going naked. Installation is a breeze, especially after it has had time to sit on the car. Start on one wheel arch, then top grill, then below front valance, then second wheel arch. There are two plastic bump stops on the inside of the hood that stretch the corner sections of the hood piece. The Toyota version installation shows the cover installation behind these plastic stops. The Le Bra version has 4" to 6" of material making it impossible to place behind these plastic stops.

The car has not gotten that dirty yet but I would imagine it would have racoon eyes if it did when I remove the mask to wash the car.

 

Woah! Wait a second. I have treid everywhere I know of to find a bra for a 2007 Prius; where did you get yours?
Z.

 

Here are the instructions for the Le Bra Front End Mask
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Here are the instructions for the Toyota Front End Mask
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Here are some eBay links to Front End Masks. I do not have any experience with these sellers nor can I recommend/denounce any of them. You should use your own judgement when choosing a seller and/or product.
LeBra 04-07 TOYOTA PRIUS 2 PT FRONT END MASK BRA

LeBra - 2007 Mask Toyota Prius 06-07 Car Bra

2006 - 2008 Toyota Factory Prius Front Mask Bra Cover

 

I bought my factory bra on EBay from Deland Toyota for $124.
It is a great fit and was easy to put on with only one exception.
I'm not sure if earlier than '07 models have a little black plastic spoiler underneath the front bumper, but I had to loosen a few 10mm bolts that hold it on in order to insert the clips of the bottom section of the bra then re-tighten the bolts. It would definitely be a pain if I wanted to remove the bra every time I washed the Prius.
Other than that the instructions were good and the bra looks great and is very high quality.

GT

 

I did not pay attention if there were any extra panels below the front bumper other than the front valence but perhaps you are right. That probably why in my pictures you can see it's stretched beyond the upper and lower opening.

I have no difficulties attaching the clips below the front valence. There is an under panel behind the lower valence that just gets pushed up slightly to allow enough clearance to attach the center clips.

Now I want to take another look on how I can get it to look a little better aligned...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(GT in PA @ Sep 24 2007, 10:43 PM) [snapback]517223[/snapback]</div>

2004 & 2005 models don't. Some 2006 & 2007 owners have found the factory bra a PITA to install because of it. Apparently Toyota didn't update the bra design to better match those later models.

 

thanks for the post. I got the Le Bra from ebay and installation was clear and the fit is custom. I like that it covers more than the factory one.

 

Galaxee,
It was great to see your photos with your bra on; however, I did prefer the photos with your bra off. I would like to ask if you could please post more photos with your bra off. What would be extra nice if we could see photos of your left side with your bra off and other photos of your right side with the bra off. You know, for comparison.

 

Traditional Vinyl Bras tend to do MORE DAMAGE to your car than help it. The reason: it actually traps rock and sand between the Bra and Paint. Over time the bra actually acts as sandpaper, scratching your paint and leaving those ugly swirls and pits in your paint.

A better option is a 3m Clear Bra which adheres to the cars body acting as a 8mm barrier against rock, sand and foreign debris. I have them on all 4 of my cars and they are guranteed for the life of the car. I have never had to replace them or worry about them. You actually can barely see them. At $450 they are an investment. But you can gurantee that your cars paint won't look the pictures above after 2.5 years.