Record Straight on Prius Convertible

Now that is a fine modification there Bra...

I am envious... I have always been a vertman myself... and it is heartening to see there are fellow members with that same need for sunshine on my shoulders.

 

Well isn't that ironic? We seem to have quite a few Prius owners on this street. We could probably form our own little club.

I think it's kind of funny how some people really hate the look of the Prius. I'm usually pretty picky about style, and I have loved it since I first laid eyes on it! Ah, personal taste. And it's only one of the myriad reasons I bought one.

Enjoy yourself in that spiffy ride. The weather has been just perfect for taking the puppy to the beach, lucky dog! I will check out the reviews while waiting for another glimpse!

 

Re: Record Straight on Prius Convertible UPDATE

Remember that contrary to normal cars, the Prius is supposed to Excel in gas mileage in stop-&-Go traffic, and not on Highways (where the gas engine is used more)
since the electric engine is more powerful than the Honda's counterparts (Insight, Civics, etc)
Converting it to a full EV-Plug in yields over 100 MPG by adding more batteries and some controlling electronics, all due to the wonderful electrical motor in the Prius.
I'm waiting for a plug-in so I can buy my Prius, and hook it to solar powered-batteries at home.

Great mod, I'm glad it all went well for you. Love convertibles + hybrids.

 

I had a chance to take a good look at this convertible and meet exproducer at a recent OC Prius club meeting. I was very impressed by the quality of the conversion work done, suitable for concours exhibition or an auto museum.

The top is fully lined and very luxurious in appearance, both inside and out. The plumbing behind the hydraulic lift mechanism was fascinating to see.

This is a one-of-a-kind collector's item.

 

The perfect name for this car just poped into my head....FrankenPrius!

I like the idea but not the finished product.

 

Thank you for sharing this observation and noting the high quality of the work.

I had not read this thread until today, and I am a bit bothered by the response many PCers have given exproducer. I notice that the OP has not posted for about 12 weeks, and I would not doubt but that he has decided to go elsewhere, given his reception on PriusChat. Remember, this thread was his first post. What an entry!!

If you don't like the look of the conversion, that's fine, but there is no reason to post harsh comments about it. Exproducer is not someone who just came to the show -- he has been a Prius owner three times over, and he obviously likes the car and what it can offer. He has gone out and done up a convertible Prius at the highest quality, and it will only help to get the word out about the car and its capabilities. More than that, he didn't do this just to have a show car, but to make his car a more pleasurable ride for himself. Kudos, I say!

I might not spend my money this way (but, then again, I don't have it to spend it . . .). Still, I do spend money on things that many PCers may find different.

I hope we hear back from exproducer to find out more about the car and how he is enjoying it.

 

Re: Record Straight on Prius Convertible UPDATE

It's almost like you're talking to him backwards through time. :glare:

 

You're welcome! Three more thoughts:

• Regarding the $18K conversion cost, note that the price of a Ford Mustang convertible is ~$5K more than the comparable coupe; while the price of a Chrysler Sebring convertible is ~$7K more than the comparable sedan (an exact comparison is difficult given 2 doors vs. 4 doors, option content differences, etc.) Therefore, an $11K to $13K premium was paid to cover design and engineering costs not amortized over a large production base and the creation of a unique vehicle utilizing relatively expensive CA labor. This seems reasonable, although I recognize the final pricing is too high to be attractive to more than a niche market.
• The rear seat backs are fixed in place and moved back an inch or so. The traction battery vent on the passenger-side rear seat no longer exists; hence a custom vent was devised to cool the battery. I could not see how the vent works since the trunk lining covered that up.
• The trunk lid constitutes the rear portion of the former hatch. The hinging looks like a factory job, and the trunk lining contains the switched courtesy light that came from the former hatch trim.

 

Thanks! I like the attention to detail and the compliments you offer on a job well done.

 

Hello I really like your prius EXPRODUCER, but I claim the first Prius convertible.

please visit this forum at this link for photos.
http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-main-forum/34844-convertible-hybrid-2.html

I seldom drive it because there is NO RAGTOP ha! Perhaps someday mine will get one.

 

I gotta say again... Now that is a sweet convertible.

 

Any chance we could use this car in a Memorial Day parade in Mill Valley, CA for a pro-environment congressional candidate?

Leon Kunstenaar
[email protected]

 

You'll have to travel back to 2008, the last time he was seen on this board.

 

Have to say WOW I can appreciate the workmanship and time and dedication that was put into your prius. But I will say it is not for me but who am I. Been in talks with a few people about turning a 04 salvaged prius into a work truck so I am not one to talk!

 

I stand corrected.

 

whodathunk?

 

Also, is this the first time on Prius Chat - or anywhere on the Internet, for that matter - that somebody actually admitted being wrong?