1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Best Prius aftermarket options

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by ctbering, Jul 23, 2008.

  1. ctbering

    ctbering Rambling Man

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    1,650
    123
    5
    Location:
    Chicago Illinois
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I would be interested in Prius owners favorite aftermarket add-ons. I purchased some pads for the cup-holders and storage compartments and really like them except the double-sided adhesive materials sent with the pads. I suggest Valcro for a few pads and recommended the merchant use these for future customers.
    I have found the dealer options I didn't really want are very good, like the XM radio cargo net and bumper protection. I am interested in what products Prius owners really find valuable, and more importantly, what is not: I don't have any preferences. In fact, I find I like the dealer options I would have neve ordered.
    I am not interested in the merchants embellishing their products here only candid appraisals from Prius owners that have a real experience with an after market item. I have seen:
    the shark antennae,
    mud flaps
    rubber mats
    stabilizer bar making the steering more concise
    conversion to the Prius Touring
    disabling annoying safety feature for Navigation/phone system
    protective strips for the doors preventing chips and dents
    cargo storage containers.
    Am I missing any items? I was surprised by the exact fit of these inexpensive pads and the nice identifying labels for each piece. (too bad for the cheap adhesive)
    I appreciate your honest assessment
     
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,080
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Right now All-Weather floormats are at the top of my list as I just had a huge can of Arizona Ice Tea break open after rolling onto the floor (rear) and emptying its contents all over the floor. The mats contained the entire can (23fl.oz.). :)

    For a new car my list topper would be a clear bra for the entire front end. It makes me sick, everytime I was the car, to see all the rock chips in the hood and bumper while the rest of the car is perfect. :(

    I enjoy all of my mods but the clear bra would have made me the happiest had I installe dit early on.
     
  3. blamy

    blamy Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2007
    380
    10
    0
    Location:
    Central Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    I like the new rear view mirror I installed that has a compass in it.
     
  4. penbed

    penbed New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2008
    222
    3
    0
    Location:
    USA-Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Well,let's see.
    I dislike shark fin so I put chrome stubby on.
    Mirrored window tint.
    Mud flaps to catch stuff,car stays much cleaner.
    Fog lights from blinglights on eBay,much better than stock.
    Bra installed,prefer clear mask but I am all thumbs and there is no local dealer to install mask.
    Thinking about "wood grain" interior,think it will set off my tan leather seats.
    The best mod of all is me behind the wheel!!
    Luv this car....
     
  5. seasalsa

    seasalsa Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2004
    1,278
    20
    0
    Location:
    Kent, WA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
  6. hammy

    hammy Prius Addict

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2008
    53
    1
    0
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Easy One!
    1) EV Mode switch as installed on all Prius cars all over the world except America. A fun toy to show off with.
    2) Scanguage II to monitor everything.
    3) Sirius or XM radio via the MFD with all hidden behind glove box.
    4) Side Molding to match the car color.
    5) Mud Flaps for a cleaner car.
    6) Rear bumper guard.
    7) Window vents for hot or rain days.

    All these are available here on prius Shop.
     
  7. rwhoyle

    rwhoyle Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2007
    227
    2
    0
    Location:
    Tulsa, Oklahoma
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Tinted windows, OEM all-weather mats and mud guards.
     
  8. Sheepdog

    Sheepdog C'Mere Sheepie!

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2008
    1,125
    15
    9
    Location:
    Sanford FLorida
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Definately the Scan Guage 2. Buy it here!

    I have the hood deflector. I like it.
     
  9. eko

    eko New Member

    Joined:
    May 26, 2008
    24
    5
    3
    Location:
    Brandon, FL
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    We have had ours for a month now and we added the following:

    Weathertech Floor Liners-Frt & Rear
    Weathertech Cargo Liner
    Window Tint
    3M Invisble Bra
    Nuvii 650 which is shared between the two vehicles

    These are must haves IMHO
     
  10. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,080
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Great list!

    I have all but I have a Nuvii 660. Wise choices. :D
     
  11. kazots

    kazots LifesaBeach

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2008
    262
    0
    0
    Location:
    CALIFORNIA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I agree with the clear bra and the mud flaps. The rear bumper guard is great for protecting from scratches. If you don't have leather seats, you will probably need seat covers and have a upholstery shop put a leather cover for the arm rest. The seats and arm rest wear out quickly.
     
  12. JimboK

    JimboK One owner, low mileage

    Joined:
    May 1, 2006
    2,817
    187
    49
    Location:
    Chesterfield, VA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Click the link at the bottom of my sig for the complete list. I started first with those designed to protect the car. And XM radio. Later I focused more on things designed to help with fuel economy.

    Of all of them, CAN-View has become my favorite. Won't help you, however, because it's not available anymore except for a plug-in Prius. If I didn't have that, a ScanGauge would be invaluable. Right behind that is the EV switch.
     
  13. pmanza

    pmanza Fernsmom

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2007
    123
    2
    0
    Location:
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Don't forget the Prius hood for the MFD and the leather console cover from the same place. I also have the leather trash bag from Prius hood, it fits perfectly on the hump inbetween 2 front seats.
    Fernsmom
     
  14. DBusch

    DBusch Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2008
    33
    0
    0
    Location:
    New York
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I just installed the Katzkin leather interior into my 08. It looks great. I also added seat warmers. Looks like it came from the factory that way. I really would like to add a sunroof someday.
    David
     
  15. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2005
    10,339
    14
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Everything I've got is pretty much listed.

    I do have both of the cargo nets, vertical and horizontal. I also have a nice little trashcan with sandbags on both sides that sits on the hump. More of an accessory, really, than a mod.

    I did install a back up beeper in the rear taillight. That and my BT plate are really mods.

    And my decals.
     
  16. Sheepdog

    Sheepdog C'Mere Sheepie!

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2008
    1,125
    15
    9
    Location:
    Sanford FLorida
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Godiva, Would you care to expound on the back up beeper mod?
     
  17. mybluegt

    mybluegt New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2008
    12
    1
    0
    Location:
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    I found a replacement 7440 light bulb with a backup beeper with a halgon bulb, it plugs in where the orginal backup light normally goes. You have to sand the housing a little for it to fit in. Works great. Turn off the inside beeper or it will drive you crasy. Makes the people in the parking lots relaize that you are backing up.:)
     
  18. kazots

    kazots LifesaBeach

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2008
    262
    0
    0
    Location:
    CALIFORNIA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Clear bra is a must or something to protect the front. If you take a look at Prii that do not have protection you will usually see some damage by rocks. I would not wait too long.
     
  19. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2007
    5,051
    481
    97
    Location:
    Flushing, NY
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    1. BT Tech Strut Tower Brace. I think it single-handely turned my no-fun-to-drive Standard Prius into a moderately-fun-to-drive car:

    [​IMG]

    2. BumperDefender.com 2" wide, color-matched, bumper guard strips. A necessity for NYC residents and other frequent parallel parkers. Here's a shot where you can see it on my rear bumper:

    [​IMG]

    3. Rubber chair leg tips (4 for $2) as front license plate bumpers. Another necessity for NYC residents and other frequent parallel parkers. (Note that you can also get rubber license plate bumpers from NoBump.com. that are much sturdier and more protective, but IMO don't look as nice and cost about $15 for two.) Note - you can also see the BumperDefender.com 2" wide, color-matched, front bumper guard strip in the picture:

    [​IMG]

    4. Trunk handle mentioned by seasalsa (attaches to rear license plate). Best or most useful $16 I've spent on my Prius:

    [​IMG]

    5. PriusHoods black leather center console cover. I think it works best in black no matter what color your interior is:

    [​IMG]

    6. Mesh lumbar back support that Godiva has mentioned elsewhere. It's ugly but it works for my back (bad backs, and what works for them, are very idiosyncratic), and I've since covered it with a somewhat less ugly sheepskin seat cover. You can get it from eBags.com, Amazon.com or some frys stores:

    [imglink]http://priuschat.com/forums/attachments/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/8380d1207091681-great-back-support-your-seats-005.jpg[/imglink]
     
  20. Genoz World

    Genoz World ZEN-style living

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2008
    797
    21
    0
    Location:
    La Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    hey boo. nice car. good additions. i tried the back support recently at the la county fair, but i opted not to get it. they wanted 30.