By now a lot of you may recognize when my name comes up on this board. I'm the guy that's asked about everything from "the little circle on the front of the bumper" to questions about installing alarm systems and racing seats and leather and chrome and yeah. (Going for the "MTV Pimp My Ride" look here folks :wink: and as always that would be WITHOUT doing anything to the outside aerodynamics that could hurt half of what makes the 2004 Prius what it is)
I want to kind of get a recap on some things and ask a few new ones, so I'll start with this:
Leather with a BC/#9
Possible? Obviously it would effect the way that the head airbags work and my question is this...
Say I find a dealer recommended place and get leather put in. Not a slipcover, but where my seats are reupholstered... Are the airbags effected? I know they require breakaway stitching for this option, but are my airbags effected in a negative way to where I'd need to have new ones installed by Toyota?
To stave the little quips I seem to notice on this board a lot so I can get the info I need, WE ARE ASSUMING THIS IS DONE BY A PROFESSIONAL INSTALLER WHO IS RECOMMENDED BY A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP I TRUST AND IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROCEDURE HE IS ABOUT TO DO.
Racing Seats with a BC/#9?
Only way I would consider this after I learned about the head airbags being IN the seat and not the framework of the car, is if they make racing seats that can contain these airbags. So my question HERE is simply, Do they? Any helpful links that can be sent my way are very much appreciated.
Upgraded aftermarket alarms on a BC/#9
As another topic confirmed for me, alarms can be connected to the Prius battery since there is a 12v accessory battery besides the big high voltage battery. I am having a VERY nice system put into my car soon and I'll let you know how the experience goes once it is done. (This is being done through "The Good Guys" at Marina Pacifica in Long Beach, CA and should be helpful info for anyone living in a state where these stores are located (mostly West Coast I believe)
Cleaner for the dash
After my car was keyed and went in for body work (YES it was THAT DEEP) I received it back in questionable shape. 3 of my 4 air covers were missing from the tires, there was a pea sized spot of RED PAINT on my steering wheel, dirty water marks like something was splashed where my seatbelt is attached to the framework and a big white spot (faded and has a ring like a spill, not opaque like paint) on my dash on the driver side just to the left of what would be MY center (draw a straight line from my nose to the windshield... just left) I have used an armorall all purpose cleaner sponge that has helped in many other instances and it didn't even appear SLIGHTLY better afterward. My friend is suggesting an all purpose dash cleaner made by Meguiar's but after showing me his dash (VERY high gloss and after a week, still faintly greasy on a slick vinyl surface) I don't want to use it on my dash since it's more textured.
I've gone to the dealership that did the repair/spilled whatever and they take no responsibility etc. This is not my regular dealer and I won't go back to them for repairs (My dealer's recommendation) since they can't step up like men. (Body work was GREAT though)
Anybody know of a good cleaning product? Even if it is made by Toyota which would make it expensive? It's not MASSIVELY noticable (again, not opaque) but it detracts from my otherwise immaculate vehicle.
XM Radio on a BC/#9
Multiple questions about this. I've heard and seen stills that make it look like an absolutely seamless job and am interested in this. What I want to know is:
1) Is there ANYTHING visible, inside OR outside, that wasn't there before? (a new antenna, a unit in my dash like with a new stereo on a standard car, etc) I don't really want to change the appearance and make it OBVIOUS I added something later on...
2) Anybody with any XM Radio experience... Are you satisfied with it? What are the rates? Are there ever issues with reception? (weather, etc)
Fog lights on a BC/#9
When outside my vehicle at night time and looking at the front head on with the lights on, something bugs me... I have xenon headlamps and standard "yellow" foglamps. I know foglamps add the benefit of lighting down toward the road more in poor weather. BUT does it matter what color they are? I usually ride with them on as I like the look more, and am wondering if foglamps MUST be the "yellow" bulb in order to work OR if I can have a xenon bulb in there.
Continuing on that point,
is it just a matter of changing a bulb or are we talking a new unit? I've never dealt with xenon bulbs before and am not aware how/if they are different.
AND FINALLY...
For anyone living in Southern California, or wanting to buy from a dealer in Southern California, do everything in your power to AVOID ELMORE TOYOTA IN WESTMINSTER CALIFORNIA (Orange County, Near Huntington Beach) This post is getting long enough that I will give a serverely short version of this, but let's just say that although I received my car in one month, ordered and deposit on 11/20/03, receive on 12/16/03, I was charged $3000 over MSRP because Toyota was "doing it nationwide due to the extreme backorders" but "not to worry, the $2000 I get back from the Fed and the $1000 CA gives to hybrid owners will mean in the long run I only paid MSRP plus tax and title.
Needless to say, $2000 is the MOST I could have gotten back and that is dependent on my income, tax bracket, housing and medical expenses and charitable donations... MY benefit was about $400 and California has a program going for hybrid vehicles, but it's a partnership they have with HONDA and Toyota never signed on. (Never had a CHANCE at this $1000) Upon delivery my car looked great, although handicapped midgets that had never seen wax or a CAR could have done a better wax job... Some kind of plug (little black things in a plastic bag with nothing but japanese written on it) was in my glove box and remains there. What is the function of these? Should they have been installed somewhere? If so, you can tack that up there with being scheisters, liars and just straight up immoral.
I have boycotted this dealership for EVERY POSSIBLE REASON YOU COULD NEED TO GO TO A DEALERSHIP and hope that others that read this will too. Not sure if I've mentioned, but I'm 22, not naive and they put this to me in a way that was like "Toyota says we have to... Hope you're still interested..." I can only imagine his commission check that has a huge markup like that... Glad I bought his kids more presents under the tree... (Like I said, delivery was on 12/16/03
POSITIVE NOTE:
Toyota of Long Beach has handled all my needs since, was compassionate re: the experience at Elmore and the manager in parts gave me a discount on anything I could possibly ned from their department for the first 60 days after we first discussed the situation. I have never had a negative experience here.
In So Cal? http://www.toyotaoflongbeach.com
Well all, this post is now officially one for the records, but I have my thoughts together more clearly tonight than usual and wanted to get it all out there. Thanks for coping and I look forward to some great answers!
I want to kind of get a recap on some things and ask a few new ones, so I'll start with this:
Leather with a BC/#9
Possible? Obviously it would effect the way that the head airbags work and my question is this...
Say I find a dealer recommended place and get leather put in. Not a slipcover, but where my seats are reupholstered... Are the airbags effected? I know they require breakaway stitching for this option, but are my airbags effected in a negative way to where I'd need to have new ones installed by Toyota?
To stave the little quips I seem to notice on this board a lot so I can get the info I need, WE ARE ASSUMING THIS IS DONE BY A PROFESSIONAL INSTALLER WHO IS RECOMMENDED BY A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP I TRUST AND IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROCEDURE HE IS ABOUT TO DO.
Racing Seats with a BC/#9?
Only way I would consider this after I learned about the head airbags being IN the seat and not the framework of the car, is if they make racing seats that can contain these airbags. So my question HERE is simply, Do they? Any helpful links that can be sent my way are very much appreciated.
Upgraded aftermarket alarms on a BC/#9
As another topic confirmed for me, alarms can be connected to the Prius battery since there is a 12v accessory battery besides the big high voltage battery. I am having a VERY nice system put into my car soon and I'll let you know how the experience goes once it is done. (This is being done through "The Good Guys" at Marina Pacifica in Long Beach, CA and should be helpful info for anyone living in a state where these stores are located (mostly West Coast I believe)
Cleaner for the dash
After my car was keyed and went in for body work (YES it was THAT DEEP) I received it back in questionable shape. 3 of my 4 air covers were missing from the tires, there was a pea sized spot of RED PAINT on my steering wheel, dirty water marks like something was splashed where my seatbelt is attached to the framework and a big white spot (faded and has a ring like a spill, not opaque like paint) on my dash on the driver side just to the left of what would be MY center (draw a straight line from my nose to the windshield... just left) I have used an armorall all purpose cleaner sponge that has helped in many other instances and it didn't even appear SLIGHTLY better afterward. My friend is suggesting an all purpose dash cleaner made by Meguiar's but after showing me his dash (VERY high gloss and after a week, still faintly greasy on a slick vinyl surface) I don't want to use it on my dash since it's more textured.
I've gone to the dealership that did the repair/spilled whatever and they take no responsibility etc. This is not my regular dealer and I won't go back to them for repairs (My dealer's recommendation) since they can't step up like men. (Body work was GREAT though)
Anybody know of a good cleaning product? Even if it is made by Toyota which would make it expensive? It's not MASSIVELY noticable (again, not opaque) but it detracts from my otherwise immaculate vehicle.
XM Radio on a BC/#9
Multiple questions about this. I've heard and seen stills that make it look like an absolutely seamless job and am interested in this. What I want to know is:
1) Is there ANYTHING visible, inside OR outside, that wasn't there before? (a new antenna, a unit in my dash like with a new stereo on a standard car, etc) I don't really want to change the appearance and make it OBVIOUS I added something later on...
2) Anybody with any XM Radio experience... Are you satisfied with it? What are the rates? Are there ever issues with reception? (weather, etc)
Fog lights on a BC/#9
When outside my vehicle at night time and looking at the front head on with the lights on, something bugs me... I have xenon headlamps and standard "yellow" foglamps. I know foglamps add the benefit of lighting down toward the road more in poor weather. BUT does it matter what color they are? I usually ride with them on as I like the look more, and am wondering if foglamps MUST be the "yellow" bulb in order to work OR if I can have a xenon bulb in there.
Continuing on that point,
is it just a matter of changing a bulb or are we talking a new unit? I've never dealt with xenon bulbs before and am not aware how/if they are different.
AND FINALLY...
For anyone living in Southern California, or wanting to buy from a dealer in Southern California, do everything in your power to AVOID ELMORE TOYOTA IN WESTMINSTER CALIFORNIA (Orange County, Near Huntington Beach) This post is getting long enough that I will give a serverely short version of this, but let's just say that although I received my car in one month, ordered and deposit on 11/20/03, receive on 12/16/03, I was charged $3000 over MSRP because Toyota was "doing it nationwide due to the extreme backorders" but "not to worry, the $2000 I get back from the Fed and the $1000 CA gives to hybrid owners will mean in the long run I only paid MSRP plus tax and title.
Needless to say, $2000 is the MOST I could have gotten back and that is dependent on my income, tax bracket, housing and medical expenses and charitable donations... MY benefit was about $400 and California has a program going for hybrid vehicles, but it's a partnership they have with HONDA and Toyota never signed on. (Never had a CHANCE at this $1000) Upon delivery my car looked great, although handicapped midgets that had never seen wax or a CAR could have done a better wax job... Some kind of plug (little black things in a plastic bag with nothing but japanese written on it) was in my glove box and remains there. What is the function of these? Should they have been installed somewhere? If so, you can tack that up there with being scheisters, liars and just straight up immoral.
I have boycotted this dealership for EVERY POSSIBLE REASON YOU COULD NEED TO GO TO A DEALERSHIP and hope that others that read this will too. Not sure if I've mentioned, but I'm 22, not naive and they put this to me in a way that was like "Toyota says we have to... Hope you're still interested..." I can only imagine his commission check that has a huge markup like that... Glad I bought his kids more presents under the tree... (Like I said, delivery was on 12/16/03
POSITIVE NOTE:
Toyota of Long Beach has handled all my needs since, was compassionate re: the experience at Elmore and the manager in parts gave me a discount on anything I could possibly ned from their department for the first 60 days after we first discussed the situation. I have never had a negative experience here.
In So Cal? http://www.toyotaoflongbeach.com
Well all, this post is now officially one for the records, but I have my thoughts together more clearly tonight than usual and wanted to get it all out there. Thanks for coping and I look forward to some great answers!