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This car never ceases to amaze me... Not to mention the stuff i find hidden everywhere!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Delane, Aug 13, 2015.

  1. Delane

    Delane Junior Member

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    As a car guy, I am usually the first to look over every single button, and analyze everything in the car, while my wife is the type to just get in and go. I have only owned this car for 4 months, Its a 2007 model, and since I got the car, I was wishing it had an AUX jack so that i could connect my phone to it. I looked all over the dash etc, and nothing. Then about 2 weeks ago, while cleaning out my center console, I noticed this little hole in it next to the Phone charger plug, and I looked closer, and I saw the words: AUX INPUT. I sat there for a minute stunned because i never noticed it! I rejoiced, and proceeded to finally listen to all the music on my phone instead of having to burn MP3 Cds.

    I felt so dumb that i never noticed it.

    But it didn't stop there: Yesterday, I was deciding where to put my phone mount, and while looking at the bottom of the center console, I came across a sliding door with paperwork in it from 2009! It was insurance info from a guy who owned it back then. It seems that no one has been in this tray for 6 years! Once again, this car has fooled me twice on its hidden little items that you don't notice in your first pass with the naked eye.

    I then proceeded to unclip the front of the console off, because i wondered how much change could have fallen in the gaps where the front cup holder is, and well, i found about 2 bucks! and some expired McDonald's monopoly coupons.

    This led me to wonder what was under the back seat if i popped it out. Well I was quite shocked to say the least.

    You will notice in the pictures below that I found plenty of change, Nintendo DS video games (6 in total), The largest screw I have ever seen in my life (what the hell does this go to??) as well as some pens and other misc items, and Lastly a HUGE Coin! I was so surprised to find that big coin... As a Metal Detectorist and coin enthusiast, It isn't every day you find big coins, let alone a wierd one like this that isn't legal tender, but yet still fascinating. I have yet to determine its worth. I have found similar ones, for around $5-$10 on ebay, but not this coin in particular. Jefferson National Expansion Museum is what is labeled on the coin, but ones i see online, usually have a similar back or front, but not this exact coin. The first thing I thought of is, how in the world did that specific of a coin, end up under my back seat!

    Also, I play alot of video games, but i do not play Nintendo DS, So i took them to Game stop to find out how much they worth in trade so that maybe i could apply it to a PS4 game, and I will be damned if those 6 games netted me $102 bucks in trade! I got 3 PS4 games that day for basically free. I feel like this car just keeps on giving and giving.

    I went from the guy who would have never thought of owning a Prius, to being the guy that is always recommending them to friends!

    I highly suggest that if you haven't popped your backseat out yet, to go do so now! It literally pops out with just a good pull in an upwards motion. No screws. Just Pull upwards on the drivers side, and go around to the passenger side and pull upwards on that side, and it will come right out.

    If you find anything cool, Please feel free to comment and let us all know about your new treasures!

    Happy hunting guys!

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  2. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Wow, you landed lots of treasure.

    Buying my cars new, the only treasure left behind by the dealership / port / factory crews has been a utility knife, found jamming the driver seat slide track. And a wrench left atop the engine by a oil change monkey. (Both were on previous cars, not Prius).

    But I did find a $10 bill last week, in a pile of leaves while searching for a cell phone case that had blown away while I was outside the car supporting bike riders. Then found the case too.
     
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  3. Delane

    Delane Junior Member

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    You got paid to find your own phone case! ha!
     
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  4. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    ... and it is a freebie case anyway, an advertising giveway from a tourist bureau several years ago. So now I'm money ahead on it.
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    at least you didn't find any meeces!:)
     
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  6. PA Prius

    PA Prius Active Member

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    Not me, but a friend bought a used Gen 2 from a dealer and a week or so later found there was a stash of bullets in that lower console drawer.
     
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  7. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Jefferson National Expansion Museum was located under the Gateway Arch. They had a gift shop selling that medallion. The museum is closed but the gift shop is still open. It looks like the retail value is $5.95.

    Commemorative Solid Brass Gateway Arch Coin
     
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  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Nice. Now have you found the hidden drawer?
     
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  9. Southpaw1969

    Southpaw1969 New Member

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    Where is the "hidden drawer?"

    So far, I found a dead micro SD card. :-(
    I'll have to pull up the back seat to see what is there! I know from looking around the seatbelt hardware back there that there is some crap stuck under there that needs to go.

    Hopefully I'll find something good!
     
  10. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    I found one after owning the car for a year and a half,ITS HUGE!

    also found a 12 volt outlet in the center console I only found old French fry's under the back seat :(
     
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  11. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    that is a very large bolt, you would think someone would be missing that

     
  12. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Before you get frustrated, the "Hidden Drawer" is just below the front coffee cup holder, on the surface facing the dash.

    JeffD
     
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  13. tanglefoot

    tanglefoot Whee!

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    Wow--all kinds of treasure in that one!

    I also like the little storage bin under the driver's side, back corner of the trunk with its own little hatch over it.

    I've been the only owner of this one, but there are so many hiding places, I'm still surprised at what I find in some of them. Nothing as interesting as what you've found, though. There has been a fishing sinker and a tiny, plastic Pocahontas figurine in my center console for quite a while, as well as two little cardboard fold-up Mini Coopers.
     
  14. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

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    The Gen II is turning out to be a "Corellian smugglers dream", a bit like the Millenium Falcon, with all these cleverly hidden compartments.

    I'm gonna go pop the rear seat tomorrow and look under there - I'm now sure there's loads of hidden bits and pieces under there. That's probably where the intermittent mysterious rattle I get from behind me sometimes, is coming from. The sound source is spot on. I'll post whatever I find.

    I've had "The Spacecraft" for over 2 years, and I had no idea I could actually pop the rear seat bench and look under there....!!

    Thank you!!!! :)


    iPad ? HD
     
  15. R-P

    R-P Active Member

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    I only found some bolts and a small pocket knife (in the lining running at the back of the front seats that collects all crap falling between the horizontal and vertical part of the seat). Oh, and a USB charger in a cigarette lighter socket behind the dash that was always ON...o_O

    Still amazed at people who don't know the drawer in the centreconsole... I found that within minutes of sitting in a Gen2 Prius for the first time. You open up the centre console, find the two cupholders in front of it and realise there is still space unaccounted for... :whistle:

    Maybe I just have an inquisitive nature...:D
     
    #15 R-P, Aug 26, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2015
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  16. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

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    I never did manage to lift up my rear seat. Curious. It just won't come loose - can't get it to budge - and I don't want to break it! How did you get it to come off? Explicit instructions if possible please ;)


    iPhone ?
     
  17. aliensporebomb

    aliensporebomb Junior Member

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    I'm still hoping to find a hidden aux input on the 2005 I have. Sadly, not to be. It was a weird story how we even came to get the car in the first place. For another thread. I love the smuggling compartment. Might be worth it to put some emergency money in there just in case.
     
  18. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

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    I've gotta create a thread called "What the Prius has in common with the Millennium Falcon".....

    SM-G900F ?
     
  19. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

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    My Sister-in-law from Russia, visited my wife and I in London last August. She was accosted the privilege of being driven everywhere in "The Spaceship" where possible - usually on weekends, when I wasn't working.

    She quickly warmed to the vehicle, and got my basic explanation of how it worked pretty quick. She even took to riding shotgun :)

    One day, returning from a visit to our daughter and her boyfriend, we approached an impressive hump bridge flyover at 50mph and proceeded to ascend it accordingly.
    The hitherto quiet power plant suddenly increased noise as we began to effortlessly tackle the flyover.
    She immediately piped up and remarked how the Prius sounded and felt much like a twin engined Airbus climbing out of an airport.
    She's not exactly a geek, but surprisingly intuitive!

    Well, a few days ago, I was privileged to be on board an Airbus A319-er, climbing out of Heathrow bound for Paris. It did indeed sound like my Prius tackling a tall hill or flyover!

    The nicest bit of course, in either vehicle, is reaching cruising altitude, then beginning that delirious descent with engines idling, and minimal fuel being expended. Indeed, The Prius will slyly recharge it's HV battery, the regenerative breaking slowing your descent the same way those extended flaps air brakes do the same.

    Love the analogies

    SM-G900F ?
     
  20. Delane

    Delane Junior Member

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    In all seriousness, just give a quick pull upward. I go to one side of the car and pull up to pop it loose, then the same on the other side.I apply the pressure in the area on the front middle parts of the seating area. I actually do this often just to shake out any dirt or to clean etc.
     
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