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17" gunmetal rims, tint, de-badged

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Scotty Danger, Jun 12, 2011.

  1. Scotty Danger

    Scotty Danger Junior Member

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    The little guy is really coming together! I recently installed Drag DR-33 rims in 17" x 7.5 and Michelin Primacy MX4 215/45-17s. The handling is so much better it is ridiculous.

    I already have the Tanabe strut tower brace and stiffening plate mods, but the new rims and tires sealed the deal. Strangely, my MPG went up. I previously had 15" Ecopias, but I got 54 MPG on the 20 mile drive home (I usually average around 48.5 on this freeway stretch). I drove another 40 miles today, and I'm cruising at 49.5.

    I'd love to grab a G3, but prices are absurd, and my current Gen II just makes me happy. The final mod will probably be a projector retrofit. I think it would benefit from lowering springs, but I think that I will just wait until I get a new model and then go all out :)
     

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    #1 Scotty Danger, Jun 12, 2011
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    The car looks great!

    Are those Primacy MXM4s?

    Get some lowering springs and the handling is much improved. I would say it is equal to the gains you experience with the 17s.
     
    #2 F8L, Jun 12, 2011
  3. Scotty Danger

    Scotty Danger Junior Member

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    Thanks! Yes, I believe that I left out an "M" on the tire description - they are the MXM4s.

    I would probably purchase the lowering springs if I could get a great deal on the install price. However, I'm a bit hesitant of sinking an additional $500 bucks into the car. We'll see if I cave :)

    BTW, your Morimoto D2S conversion looks phenomenal. You were the one who inspired me to seek out a retrofit.


     
    #3 Scotty Danger, Jun 12, 2011
  4. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Thanks!

    I bet the blacked out lights would look great on your car. They use that special paint that looks like shiny metallic. I think they use VHT Nite Shade or Duplicolor Shadow Black Chrome.

    Duplicolor "Shadow" Chrome Black-out Coating

    Thanks for the details on the tires. Those are what I'm buying next. :)
     
    #4 F8L, Jun 12, 2011
  5. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    As for the springs, just do them when your stock struts wear out so then you are not really spending extra money beyond the price of springs. That's what i did and the handling is amazing. :)
     
    #5 F8L, Jun 12, 2011
  6. Scotty Danger

    Scotty Danger Junior Member

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    Costco has a $70 off special right now on Michelins (including the Primacy MXM4). The sales guy said that the MXM4 price is going to go up soon though.

    I have always been interested in smoking the tails, but I'm worried about the legality. I don't care about the cops (they have better things to do than pull over a Prius); I'm just worried about being held liable if someone rear-ends me.

    Then again, I guess that the projector retrofit would technically render the headlights non DOT/SAE compliant. Oh well :D
     
    #6 Scotty Danger, Jun 12, 2011
  7. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Looks awesome! There is 1 thing I disagree w/ F8L on - I would get new springs NOW. :D Why wait?
     
    #7 macmaster05, Jun 12, 2011
  8. Scotty Danger

    Scotty Danger Junior Member

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    Haha I really do want those springs now. I saw some Teins on ebay for around $130 . . . seems pretty cheap. When do struts usually wear out? I'm at 75K


     
    #8 Scotty Danger, Jun 12, 2011
  9. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    OEM struts are usually in pretty poor shape after 30k but usually last for 60k+ before you start to really notice. I replaced mine after 134,000 but they were definitely worn out but not leaking.

    If you want the car to feel sporty then do the springs. It really transforms the whole attitude of the car.
     
    #9 F8L, Jun 12, 2011
  10. Scotty Danger

    Scotty Danger Junior Member

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    Hmm what brand of struts did you choose? I've heard the name KYB tossed around. Wow...worn out after only 30K!


     
    #10 Scotty Danger, Jun 13, 2011
  11. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    KYB or Toyota OEM is really your only option, all that is made for the Gen II. It'd be great if there were Bilsteins but that's not the case.
     
    #11 macmaster05, Jun 13, 2011
  12. Scotty Danger

    Scotty Danger Junior Member

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    Hmmm. The car honestly handles great for what it is. 17" rims, mxm4s, strut brace, chassis brace...I think I just need to chill and then buy a gen III package 3 or 4 and go to town with the mods.
     
    #12 Scotty Danger, Jun 13, 2011
  13. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    If you are still making payments on the car then a GenIII upgrade wouldn't be too bad down the road. Since my car is paid off it doesn't make sense for me to upgrade yet. I'll just have to wait till either the car falls apart or they come out with something worth making a payment on. Maybe a Prius C that gets 65mpg or something that flies! lol
     
    #13 F8L, Jun 13, 2011
  14. Scotty Danger

    Scotty Danger Junior Member

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    Yeah, I feel you on that. My 2007 has been flawless with its reliability, and I've invested in a considerable amount of preventative maintenance. It would make the most financial sense to keep driving it, but of course I want something new :)
     
    #14 Scotty Danger, Jun 13, 2011
  15. Daves09prius

    Daves09prius Active Member

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    Your car looks awesome! Keep it as long as you can!
     
    #15 Daves09prius, Jun 16, 2011
  16. LIPriusFreak

    LIPriusFreak Can I haz JDM?

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    the car would ride better on no suspension than with bilsteins...bilsteins would make the prius cry like a lil baby....

    I would love it if they made tokico illuminas (adjustable) struts for the car.
     
    #16 LIPriusFreak, Jun 17, 2011
  17. Scotty Danger

    Scotty Danger Junior Member

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    Thanks Daves09Prius! The car has been absolutely flawless for the last 75K miles, and I do plan on keeping it for a fairly long time . . . even though I do lust after the Gen III :)

    I've never thought of a car as an investment until I purchased the Prius.



     
    #17 Scotty Danger, Jun 18, 2011
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