Noise on passenger door, removing strip & dealer logo, Smart key replacement?

Just picked up a new 2007 model last week. So far I'm pretty happy with my decision, however not as content with the price I settled with, $27,000. Which included option 3, leather seats & extra mile package. All of these features already built into just about every Prius on the lot, so my choices were slim. Only one model had no options but still had the leather seats and other extras totalling over $2,000, and the option package was one of the main reasons I wanted a Prius (although I only needed #2).

A few issues I'm having are a random noise coming from the front passenger door "area". Can't seem to tell exactly what it is. Sometimes it's very noticeable, other times not so much. My guess is that it's the hard plastic or rubber or whatever material the door is made out of- rattling up against the frame when I drive. I notice that when I push down on it, it makes a similar sound. By the way this material seems kind of cheap compared to other cars I've had. It just kind of feels ecomomy-ish. Seems like cars that have the inside part of the door covered in some type of cloth instead of a hard rubber, doesn't have strange noises because the cushioning prevents things shifting around..? So anyone else have this problem? How in the world could it even be fixed, short of taking the door apart and spraying WD-40 everywhere??

Also, my Prius came with one of those cheesy stripes on the entire length of the sides. Of course it was part of the extras package (already added) and itemized as costing $99 bucks! What a waste! I'd like to have this removed, but too afraid to mess with it myself, fearing I might scratch up the car. Shouldn't the dealer take this off for free? Also I'd like to remove the dealer's name on the back door. I hate it when these places use your car for their free advertising. I refuse to drive around town giving some business free advertising. I mean when they have it on the license plate cover that's one thing, because it's easy to replace. But when it's etched into the car, that's just wrong. Actually it looks like more of a semi-permanant sticker. But again I'm worried about trying to remove it myself, due to potential scratch marks.

Lastly I've noticed that sometimes my electronic key fob doesn't work with the Smart System. I think this might be because the key was manhandled quite a bit by the sales reps showing off the car all day, I can tell because the key looks quite used. I wonder if I'm eligible to receive a replacement for free? I was told that buying a new key is over a whopping $200 bucks! I do have an extra but I would like both keys to work as they should.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt @ Feb 6 2007, 03:18 PM) [snapback]386277[/snapback]</div>

A "local host" is a computer term (for us technogeeks). DEFINITION: Default name describing the local computer address also known as the loopback address of the computer. For example, typing: "ping localhost" in a DOS/Command Prompt, would ping the local IP address of 127.0.0.1 (the loopback address).

I thought ALL Prius owners were computer nerds??!?!??! ;-))


In answer to your questions:

The mileage was 44, so I assume it wasn't a demo. What are 'normal' demo miles? Is it possible the mileage can be manipulated? I'm wondering because the tires look kind of weathered too. Don't ask me why I didn't notice this before I bought it. Long story.

The key fob issue is intermittent, I remember when I was in the sales office, people were coming in and out borrowing the key. It could be the battery but it really just looks all worn and torn. Plus I assume it's been dropped once or 10 times.. Regarding what you mentioned about your 3 year old fob, I think that was before the Smart Key System? I thought that the Smart System was new for 2007 models. Basically it uses a wireless signal to automatically unlock the door when you're in close range, also allows you to drive the car without plugging in the key. So I think these newer keys might be more sensitive to impacts, etc..

Regarding the stripe, I definately don't like it, I think it cheapens the look. I remember stripes were a big thing back in the 70s/80s, just like woodgrain paneling- yuck! So regardless of how long it's able to stay on without peeling off, I'd rather have it removed now. Besides, imagine if it peels off in 5 years and there is a line that is darker colored than the rest of the car?? I guess this issue along with the dealer's name on the hatchback door, is something I should have demanded they get removed before I made the purchase but I just didn't have time. Again, long story. Hopefully they won't try and charge me for these things now.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Feb 6 2007, 02:42 PM) [snapback]386256[/snapback]</div>

Mine happens when I'm just driving, at any speed. By the way, I noticed that the center console speaker (on top of the monitor) screeches at a certain pitch. Almost kind of sounds like a blown tweeter, but it only happens with a certain tone of voice. I'm reluctant to start popping things open and unscrewing things because the car is brand spanking new but I'll give it a try... Did you use any tools to fix the black box door problem?

 

Ok I thought one of the new things for 2007 was the Smart Key (maybe it was just the electronic stability control new for '07) ... Anyways the key didn't seem to work a couple of times when I was near the door..

I know that my car was probably used to show customers and perhaps test drive around the block (like they did with me) is that considered a demo? I thought demos had a few hundred miles on them and weren't for sale until the end of the year. Maybe it's considered any car that is used by the sales reps to show, rather than a car untouched since the delivery ..

 

[attachmentid=6526][attachmentid=6525][attachmentid=6524]<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Feb 6 2007, 05:26 PM) [snapback]386378[/snapback]</div>

 

By the way, they were cool about taking off the pinstripe and dealer logo for free.. And they didn't appear to leave any significant scratch marks, well at least not on the sides. The hatchback door area where the logo was had a few small scuffs but not that noticeable. Regarding the smart key, they tested it with some type of special equipment and it checked out alright. Trouble is, it's an intermittent problem, so sure it will test out 9 times out of 10 and maybe even 29 times out of 30, it's that ONE time that it doesn't work (repeatedly) which causes the aggravation. I tried to explain this but it didn't seem to help. They weren't willing to replace it. I think I'll report this when it comes survey time.

Now if I can just get the door rattling noise taken care of..... I was hoping it would just go away by now, but it still persists, so I've gotta find time to take it back again next week, o joy. This issue is really starting to freak me out as the noise seems 'internal', nothing is visibly loose- what if they can't figure out a way to stop it??? I'll be stuck with a $27,000 car with irritating noises whenever I drive?!?!??! I don't even have this kind of noise problems on my ten year old beat up car (which the Prius is replacing).

Also, that damn center speaker above the monitor occasionally sounds like it's blown, but only during certain pitches/frequencies. It will squeal like a cracked tweeter/mid-range speaker. Even adjusting the bass-mid-highs-front-rear don't help. Again, I don't have this problem on my old car and I blasted the stereo constantly .. Maybe having ANY kind of speaker in that compartment causes a noisy vibration. Too bad the controls don't allow you to turn it off and just use the door speakers.

 

UPDATE: (in case anyone else is having this problem)

I finally discovered where the 'crackling' noise is coming from- the passenger SEAT! Not the door. Turns out the leather is part of the reason for the noise. Apparently I have leather seats which 'cover' the existing seat, which causes things to bulk out more than usual. Plus I have some kind of special gel (called LiquiCell) that is imbedded into the leather to make it more comfortable. I was told you can either have factory installed leather or 'port' installed leather (where they do it in the US mainland upon arrival off the boat from Japan). Port installed leather has noise issues.

When I first picked up the car I immediately noticed a loud rattle- it was the passenger seat belt buckle banging against the center console. DUE to the extra puffy leather seats. Stuck a piece of foam on the buckle, noise is gone. A few days later I notice another noise- crackling sound coming from the passenger door area. AGAIN??? ANOTHER NOISE????? Sounds like I'm sitting next to a campfire!! The seat is slightly shifting around as I drive, just enough to create the noise of leather rubbing against WHATEVER (and perhaps the 'gel' is also contributing to the problem). I know it's not the door because when I hold onto and kind of pull on the right part of the seat as I drive, the noise stops. To think that the dealer was just about to order a new door panel, THEY even thought it was the door causing the noise!!

So now the dealer wants to take the seat apart, rip out the leather, and 'experiement' till they can get rid of the noise. But there's gotta be an easier way to do this. I don't really feel comfortable about leaving my new car there all day and having them rip it apart. Seems like it might cause additional problems. I wonder if I could just use silicon lubricant spray and maybe Armor All or something to try and 'fix' it myself...