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ground clearance ... reasonable wear and tear?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by ground clearance, Dec 10, 2018.

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  1. ground clearance

    ground clearance New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2018
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    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Your thoughts, please. I was one of 100 drivers in a Toyota Financial pilot program who got a 2015 Prius after its first two-year lease to someone else in So/Cal. My lease allowed Toyota to accumulate rideshare data by wiring my Prius with devices that monitored my driving performance and the performance of the car. The lease included an agreement with Uber to make weekly payments of $100 automatically to Toyota from my earnings as a driver. The program required no down payment and allowed me to drive the car for two years up to 100,000 miles. The only real problem I had with the Prius is its low ground clearance. Despite driving carefully and even without the weight of passengers, the car often bottomed out in neighborhoods with speed bumps, dips and steep driveways. The plastic front bumper also got snagged periodically on concrete stops in some parking spaces. Now, having driven 5,000+ Uber rides, I have a heavily scuffed and loosened front bumper and scrapes underneath. To me, this is reasonable "wear and tear" given the design of the car and Toyota requiring me to rideshare drive. Do you think Toyota will try to stick it to me at the inspection when I return the leased car next week? If they do, what do you think of my chances to dispute their penalty? I have asked about buying the car but the Toyota program rep says they have "other plans" for it. Thanks in advance for your advice.
     
    #1 ground clearance, Dec 10, 2018
    kc5dlo likes this.
  2. kc5dlo

    kc5dlo Active Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius
    Model:
    XLE
    I would think not. Your experience of low ground clearance is different from mine though. My previous two cars, a 99 Sentra and 2004 Infinity G20, were constantly hitting the parking stops. None of my cars have had problems with speed bumps.

    As far as them not giving you an opportunity to buy the car, They may feel it is a liability issue since the primary use was for a taxi like use.Might even be destined for the crusher.

    How many miles did you manage to accumulate? Did it turn out to be a good deal for you? What do plan to replace it with? I'm interested in how it turns out and even what they plan to do with the car after it's turned in.
     
    #2 kc5dlo, Dec 11, 2018
  3. Bill Norton

    Bill Norton Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    First thing: $400 / mon. to lease a 2 yr old car? Is that a good deal? Sounds crazy expensive to me....

    Second thing: You didn't drive carefully enough. Your not supposed to get the front of the car 'snagged on concrete stops'. Don't do that.:whistle: There is no reason to pull into a parking spot that far.

    It will be interesting to hear how this all plays out! Keep us posted.
     
    #3 Bill Norton, Dec 11, 2018
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    boston
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    Plug-in Base
    welcome!
    we really can't tell you, but please let us know how it turns out, this is an interesting program.

    up until now, toyota has been averse to commercial use of prius.

    interestingly (to me) my daughters new suburb impreza has a similar ground clearance. but i'm not sure where they measure, and if it has aero panels underneath.
    i would have thought an add vehicle would be higher, but you have to buy cross trek for that.

    all the best!(y)
     
    #4 bisco, Dec 11, 2018
  5. Sporin

    Sporin Prius Noob

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    Location:
    Vermont, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Impossible to say without pictures but I'm guessing you'll get dinged for any damage. When I've leased cars in the past there was a certain number/severity level of scratches and dings that were allowed.

    My 10 year old, 151k mile bumper has it's share of damage that I certainly would expect to have to pay for if it was a lease return going back. These cars are low and our local roads (snow, and dirt) are rough on the old girl.
     
    #5 Sporin, Dec 11, 2018
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