[Art]

I am a new owner of a brand new 2002 Prius! I will be driving about 24K a year and would like to protect the finise. Does anyone know if ther are after market mud flaps availble? The dealer told me that toyota does not offer them for the Prius. i love this web site, you all offer so much information for a "new guy"!!

 

[mrv]

mudflaps available

mudflaps are a standardly available accessory in Canada.

This dealer has them:
http://www.toyotaguys.com/mudsetbrpriu.html

You can probably use the part number
to call around or check with other
online dealers for better pricing,
if you don't want to go through them.

 

[LeMangelo]

Drop tanks would add military flair.

Mud flaps are sturdy but are attached with flimsy clips which allows movement that scratches paint.I could only improve condition somewhat by mixing old parts with new but damage had already been done.I removed them because I do not want to find loose flap has damaged more paint.They reduce ground clearance which is important off road so mud flaps must give the owner some other benefit possibly psychological.SUVs have mud flaps but we all know most do not go off road but owners want adventuresome image and masculine appeal.I think that some miss the styling elements of macho vehicles and try to butch up Prius.

 

[jadjman]

Re: Drop tanks would add military flair.

I think that some miss the styling elements of macho vehicles and try to butch up Prius.

What did he write? He said that he "would like to protect the finish" (typo fixed). He didn't say, "I'm trying to Humvee-ify my Prius."

This is the sort of snobbery that made me resent fellow Miata owners (I'm selling my Miata... replacing it with my new Prius). Let's try to reduce preachy diatribes (yes, including this one).

Now, I have to ask "LeMangelo," you write "Mud flaps are sturdy but are attached with flimsy clips which allows movement that scratches paint." Now, are these YOUR mudflaps on YOUR Prius? Your apparently poor grammar and chip-on-your-shoulder regarding people who ask about mudflaps make your could-have-been-informative post confusing.

Nick

 

[LeMangelo]

Caution:Snobbery ahead

The whole foundation of brand marketing is that a product contains more than just its physical properties but has psychological associations which can be manipulated.People can alter their automobile functionally as well as stylistically and I believe the mudflaps lean towards style instead of function.Customizing cars produces a personal brand reflecting individualism that can be mistaken for snobbery.People honk at my Prius because my driving is not adequate but I have learned to ignore them which is quite relaxing.

 

[jadjman]

You write: I believe the mudflaps lean towards style instead of function, well, both Art and I wanted them for function. Is that so hard for you to believe?

Then you write Customizing cars produces a personal brand reflecting individualism that can be mistaken for snobbery. How is that snobbery? So unless we're all dressing in the same Star Trek clothes, we're snobs? I suppose you did the research to find the most common color Prius, and bought that one? A "personal brand?" How about this brand name for you: "Verbosity."

First you extol the virtues of conformity, then pat yourself on the back for driving slower than everyone else.

Well, at least you figured out how to use articles in your grammar.

Nick