Your complaints/disappointments with your C?

No programming needed, they are all "dumb" parts that respond only to voltage.

 

I was just looking the 2012 C manual (pages 68-69 & 517) which explains the door lock programming stuff.
When I got my used 2014 RAV4, I purchased a programming cable so I could use a laptop PC to 'dealer' program a new key.
While I was doing that I changed my door settings. Some were not set to the normal factory default.
When I press the remote's Open button, I didn't want to unlock all the doors.. Just the driver door..
I looked at all those settings on the 2012 Prius C, and I believe they are also programmable, just like the RAV4.

 

All of that is happening in the body control module. You'll be transplanting an individual "muscle," not the brain.

 

I hope not to be transplanting anything. For now, I'm going to keep an eye on the locks and hope they don't start failing..
Cheers,
Rich

 

My drivers door actuator went out at 65k miles. My passenger side went out at 80k miles. I swapped them out myself, took me an hour each time and around 35 bucks each door.
Dealership wanted $300 each....

 

Sounds like you did it right! Are there instructions on-line? (I'm not a real car guy).

 

I didn't look for any instructions. It wasn't that hard though, the hardest part was getting the door panel off (probably because I didn't look up instructions. )

 

I found some instructions, but they were for another brand of small car. (with the same problem).
I may search again someday, when one of my locks fails. At least now I know the drivers door lock will also fit my RAV4.
Most likely other Toyota models too. So, a much wider search is likely possible.
Maybe by the time mine fail, car people will have produced idiot proof instructions!

In the meantime, I'm still on an more urgent quest for the best replacement for the 12V battery..
I did find some of dealers for the main 144v propulsion battery, which I don't expect to need for decades..

Thanks,
Rich

 

"Best" in what respect ?

Any name brand AGM type with the right posts that will fit into the allotted space will be just fine.

If "best" means the most convenient to change, check the dealer price.
If it is around $250 or less, let them do it.

 

I've read a lot of Amazon reviews for Prius 12v batteries. One of the best deals + "C" semi-compatibility almost fits.. It measures
5" wide, 9.25" long & 8" high (not including posts). My ruler measurement of the OEM installed battery, is:
4.5" wide, 7.75' long & 8" high. So it seems like the replacement is only 1.5" too long.

Is it going to fit properly? Will it come flying out when I do a panic stop?
(This Prius has an amazing quick stop when you push the brake down fast).

 

My 2012 Prius C Three went to the car graveyard to be scrapped for parts after I ended up rear-ending a guy that stopped for basically no reason. My little blue car had 149K miles without a single repair. Thankfully this happened before I was going to new tires in a few weeks.

This little car went everywhere. We drove it from DFW, TX to N Idaho via Yellowstone and Mt Rushmore on the way back, Chicago, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, South Carolina, and Missouri for the solar eclipse.

After all that time and miles, I still loved the car and it was going to be my daughter's car.

Things I would change:
1. Rear cup holder, it needs to be at least two.
2. Needs a rear overhead light
3. The cargo light needs a switch. It's a pain when you go to the drive-in and can't turn it off.
4. Front seats could use better support.
5. The head unit should be more responsive and the glare is bad at times. I solved this mostly by never using it and connecting my phone.
6. A rear Accessory outlet is really needed. Solved this by buying a USB charger with a long extension for the kids' devices.
7. Front cup holders could use a little more clearance, tall cups sometimes don't fit very well.

I ended up buying a 2018 Prius Two since the kids are bigger now and the cost wasn't actually that much more. I'm disappointed Toyota is just now adding in CarPlay in the 2019 models but I play to replace the head unit in this car for one that has CarPlay/AndroidAuto so I saved a bit of money on the non-navigation unit that I never used in the C anyway.

I do miss the little shelf on the front passenger side. That was great for keeping little things like coupons, spare cables or a pack of gum.

What's up with the black railings on top of the 2018 model?

 

I don't know what Toyota's motivation or plan is, but it is obvious to me that they are trying to style it like a Subaru Crosstrek. Notice they have also borrowed the black plastic fender flares for 2018.

That said, the railings are functional and do include threaded mount points for a proper roof rack. It would be very easy to temporarily double the cargo capacity of this car with the right roof box, and the rails themselves don't seem to have come with a noticeable MPG penalty