After-market Plus Performance Package

Congrats on the new car! Your 5 comes with the 17" alloys already that I actually prefer over the Performance Package ones AND you have the LED headlights that all us <5 owners drool over. The real eye sore is the large wheel well gap that is common on the newer Prius models. Many here have lowered their car just little over an inch with the Tanabes and it has made a huge difference. Add the Valenti taillights, LED side mirrors, tint, and carbon fiber emblem backings....and you will have one sweet ride!

 

I was quoted $247 for the spring kit & $249 for the rear sway... I didnt get quotes for the kit or wheels... Definitely not giving a plug for the dealership because I wouldn't want them to get more $business but, if it could save you a buck..... Here ya go... Piercy Toyota in the Bay Area northern California

 

Not a problem ciaoboy... More $ saved gives us extra $ to spend on other upgrades..

IMO... To each their own... when it comes to modding their ride... That's what makes car modding unique... Who cares what people think... Any modding on a Prius is freakin awesome................

 

AKA Pricey Toyota when I lived in the Bay Area.

 

Ha ha ha $55 for a badge.

 

Sticking the badging on without having the package? Really?

Anyway, some things to be aware of... No, it would look silly without a drop. In addition, the plus package aero kit lowers Cd, but you have to consider ride height. Not dropping on the TRD springs could very well defeat the drag reducing capabilities of the body kit. The springs do make the ride a little rough, by the way. Also you may want to make sure you have the proper tires. Just because your tires fit the 17s on a Prius 5 doesn't mean they will fit Plus wheels.

 

Prius 5 and Plus wheels both use 215/45-17 tires. Why wouldn't they fit?

 

That's why I said to check, I wasn't sure.

 

They need the special badging.

 

I should probably rephrase my original response into clearer answers for you.

1. Not a Toyota employee, but you might have problems ordering it aftermarket since it's supposedly a limited run. If you do manage to order it, it may not even come painted. If you do manage to order it painted, it may not even actually match your paint due to age and sun fade... if I remember, you have WGM like I do. I'm sure it's not nearly as hard to match as say Blizzard Pearl, but it looks like it might not be particularly easy either.

2. Yes. In addition to defeating the primary purpose of the body kit, which is to lower the drag coefficient, it's going to defeat the secondary purpose, which is to look awesome. Lower it. Just be prepared for a stiffer ride on the Plus springs. I heard DF210's are softer, but I can't confirm that.

3. Trying to quote prices on body kit installations is difficult. Get pictures of a Plus and run them by some local shops so they know what you're trying to do. Explain to them that the fitment should be perfect since it's a factory Toyota part. If they have to do any tweaking on the fitment, it's going to be a bit extra. Depending on if it's mounted with a couple factory bolts and 3M tape, or if they have to make mounting holes, that could affect the cost. If they have to paint it, that's extra. If it comes painted and you end up finding it out it doesn't match, that's also extra. There are too many variables to give you an estimate, including the quality and reputation of the shop itself. Want it done right? That's extra, too.

4. The rear diffuser is the piece attached to the rear bumper that extends downward a bit. It's there to reduce flow separation and in turn, decreases drag and increases downforce to keep the car planted better. You can see it in the picture I posted in my other thread:



I hope this answers your questions a little more clearly. I'll see if I can take a more direct rear photo tomorrow.

 

I would guess in that case the colors will match, but the longer wait, the less likely that will be.

I have an admission to make actually. I just came from an Infiniti G37 with a full aftermarket suspension setup, and it was very low. I also had very soft lightweight wheels. Combine that with living in San Diego, I had to be very conscious of slopes and speed bumps and pot holes. I can tell you the Plus handles things much better than that, but you still have to be careful if there is a steep ramp into a parking lot or whatever. Any car will bottom out if you try hard enough. Just take really steep entry ramps at an angle.

Springs are more than likely not going to affect resale value at all. Going back to my last car, I was quoted the same for the car with factory parts as I was with $1000's of aftermarket upgrades. Then again, the plus springs are part of a factory package so YMMV. Also the springs probably help to stiffen the car up in addition to lowering it, to prevent it from bottoming out.

To be honest with you, I wasn't looking for the plus package and would never pay what they ask for it. I would have rather picked up the Five Axis kit, the DF210's, and some used TE37's. That being said, I live my plus package, having paid a reasonable price for it.

 

I brought my performance pkg Prius IV about the time this thread started, I love it, had exactly what I was looking for.
I have TRD springs & struts on my 2005 Prius & a front & rear sway bar & stiffening plate.
So when thinking about buying a Gen 3, I had already mentioned to DH that I wanted that type of handling parts ( I always assumed we would buy them after buying the car ).
Then, we happened to stumble upon this little beauty on the dealer lot. Now, no need to worry about buying additional parts & a car pmt. IMO the best of both worlds. Very happy

 

I assume you also put 17" wheels on the 2005?

If so how would you compare the two? If you still have 15s on the 2005 then it's not a great comparison as the 17s make a HUGE difference in handling and ride.

 

There are still 15''s on the 2005. Not to say they are the same, that they aren't. The 2011 handles better out of the box than the 2005 & nothing is really broken in yet.
I had gotten used to a non "Marshmallow" Prius w/ the handling parts/inc tire pressure/etc. I like the stiffer ride. I didn't want to go back to a "soft" car of sorts if you want to call it that, thus the appeal of the performance package.

 

what's the ideal tire pressure for the tires on the Prius Plus wheels ?