UPDATE: I just realized my thread title might rile people up...I'm sure there isn't just a simple set of "things everyone will want and should have" list. But I'm probably a typical in-town commuter who doesn't drive too far but would like to spruce the car up if that's an easy thing to do. So this Essentials list is targeted toward this "need." Hey there, I'm a new Prius owner (just bought a 2012 Four this past Friday evening) and might as well spend some more money while I'm at it! Though only as much as I think I can squeak past my wife. I am wondering what accessories would be in the "Essentials" list? Things I can easily add on that would make a real difference to my every day experience, whether that be keeping the car clean, making my eyes not burn out from side sun, etc. (Fortunately where I live the sun hardly ever shines.) Guessing that Accessories Essentials list has these on it: Floor mats (good high sided ones...mine came with what appears to be factory ones that look great to me) Cargo mat (good high sided one...digging the one over on Shop.PriusChat) Euro Mud Flaps (do these just look cool, or really keep the car body cleaner...not doing any off-roading, just usual rainy Oregon driving) Those window overhang guard things (to keep out rain but let me have the window down a bit for fresh air...it rains a LOT here in Oregon). ...um, what else? And, not that I'm really a modder (that's for sure), but are there any mods that would make a real difference to my every day experience...hmm, let's quantify that to mileage difference, or driving experience. I am not going to take this car to a track, nor am I going to be showing it off to friends with nifty carbon fiber (which definitely look cool), so the only performance issues I'm wanting are (maybe) more of the simple variety: get better mileage, driving demonstrably better, or making it demonstrably safer. (Which I guess has to further be qualified with: I only drive maybe 40-50 minutes a day around town commuting or picking up my son from school, etc. Then there are periodic trips of 500 miles, a few times a year. Mostly we'll be using our big family car for long trips, mountain snow country trips.) Guessing that Essential Mods lists has on it: Side mirror turn lights? (Is that really helpful safety-wise?) Finding a local Toyota dealer who will help turn off that blasted Reverse dinging. (Seriously Toyota, I get doing it once to alert that I'm in reverse 'cause the shifter it not like a regular car's...but the whole time?) Um, some sort of bar thing that makes it handle better, or something? (Totally out of my league here. And maybe with such small amount of miles I put in there isn't anything else I should be doing?) Apple Car Play isn't obviously an essential...but I have not been a fan of Entune in my wife's Highlander, and so might dig up enough funds to do this on my Prius. Thank you for your ideas! And I couldn't find much of this by searching the forum, but if I've overlooked a similar thread, please post a link. Thanks again!
Hi and welcome. You have a pretty decent list to start with for basic purchases. As for the "Bar thingy" If you want to make a bigger difference while at the same time "hiding it from the wife" since its under the car, I'd suggest a rear sway bar. There are different arguments out there as to which to choose from, but the TRD one does the trick for spirited driving conditions and is reasonably priced. The side mirror blinkers are a different animal and require someone who knows what they are doing to install them. Never a bad idea to add more lights! I find it odd that these cars dont have some sort of side marker so they would provide a certain safety aspect thats for sure. I picked up some husky floor mats off of amazon. Hold their shape really well, high enough sides to cover the carpet. I have both the front and the back seat. So far, none of my kids food has ended up on the carpet... As for the beeps, there are a few things you can do yourself. One of them is to look into Carista. Its an OBD tool that allows you access to some of the dealer functions and is less expensive than the dealer... Welcome to the world of want vs need... otherwise known as modding.
As far as essentials go and the type of advice you seem to be looking for, I would only do this: window tint to state standards (helps with heat/privacy) cargo and passenger floor mats (cleanliness, wear & tear, longevity. especially in trunk where I tend to just toss things into) seat covers (you have kids, get cheap, side airbag compatible ones. my $25 ones from amazon are still great from almost 4 years ago. We don't need Clazzio's or anything fancier for what we use it for) phone mount (gps, ease of use, handsfree) Michelin Energy Saver A/S tires (with the stock 15in. wheel) That is it. Nothing else. This list comes from a person that commutes 2hrs-per-day, travels to NJ from IL for family 2-3 times a year, and heavily mods as seen in my Avatar. Hope this was short, to the point, and helped a bit. Any further modding, you go into aesthetics and a drastic change in price. And don't be scared to share expenses with the wife! Especially when it comes to car modifications. TRUST ME.
I wanted to chime in -- when I first bought my Prius (2014 PiP), I took one joy ride, then sprayed ScotchGard on all fabric surfaces inside. Liquid stains still mop up with a damp rag, 4 years later.
Here's my must haves for any car if you want to keep it basic. 1. Window tint 2. Hid lighting upgrade (plug and play drop in kit while not idea but we are going simple here) 3. Lowering springs (just a mild one that only drops it 1 to 1.5 inch) Thats how my ct200h was. barley had anything done to it but those were the most important things to address
OH my gosh, thank you all for these informed ideas! Sounds like my buy list now has: Rear Sway Bar (wow, I'm gonna feel like the big kids!) Side lights...(hmm, if I can find a friend who'll trade for that work, I'm all thumbs) Mats are definitely a go! Carista...subscriptions for software seem to be a necessary evil now, but good to see it has a trial where all options are available...I'll give it a go as long as I can get rid of the obnoxious dinging! Window tint...okay, I'll save up for that and put it on my Summer list. Lexus RX300 had it, and I liked it. Model 4 meant it had leather, so I'm guessing I don't need seat covers? Phone mount...yes, I'd forgotten about that! Michelin Energy Saver A/S tires...I'll look into them. Thanks. ScotchGard: sometimes the simplest is the most brilliant! Hid lighting upgrade. Cool, can do. Lowering springs--on this I really don't know what it's for. Hugs the road more for better handling? I feel like the car is already on the ground compared with ...well, our Highlander. I was going to say "even my RX300 was much higher" but realized that's on an SUV rig, so yeah...guess I'm not understanding. So help me...what does lowering it do? (I'm a genuine noob.) Right on folks! Thank you!!
