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Prius "Spotters Guide"?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by 70AARCUDA, Apr 21, 2014.

  1. 70AARCUDA

    70AARCUDA Active Member

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    Has anybody assembled a visual collection of Gen-III taillights so as to make identification of each Gen-III model-year easy/simple?

    Body-wise: Gen-II has smoother, rounder side panels; while Gen-III has the sharper, indented side panels.
     
  2. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    Other than tail lights...
    The PIP has silver door handles, a silver strip on the trunk fascia and of course a charge port door on the right side. It's front fascia also has a small chrome strip- but that's not too easy to spot.
    The silver door handles are the easiest way to spot a PIP in the wild...;)
     
  3. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    PiP wheels are different, too.

    Just remembered the blue-tinted headlight covers, too.
     
  4. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Look for this PLUG-IN HYBRID emblem on the side:

    [​IMG]

    It really stands out, even at a distance.
     
  5. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    I've done similar things before in other threads but quickly by tail light.

    Gen3 2010/11:
    [​IMG]

    Gen3 2012/13/14 liftback:
    [​IMG]

    Gen3 2012/13/14 PiP:
    [​IMG]


    Gen2 2004/05:
    [​IMG]

    Gen2 2006/07/08/09:
    [​IMG]



    Quickly, 2010/11 is what it is. 2012/13/14 is red if liftback, clear if PiP. 2004/05 smoked on top and 2006/07/08/09 clear on top.
     
  6. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    Sound like the Auto-bohn Society. Hah!!!
     
  7. 70AARCUDA

    70AARCUDA Active Member

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    THANKS, those were exactly what I had in mind!