Aloha--just picked up my new Prius yesterday and the finance guy was heavily pushing a 100% Guaranteed PRICE REFUND on the Platinum extended warranty for 7/70,000 the price was $2,397 and is purchasable until 5,000 miles. If you never need it, the money is refunded in FULL. Having read here, I refused it but wondered if anyone has had an experience with this plan? 2nd question-Drove straight from the dealer to Goodyear and traded out the OEM for their 195/60/15 TT,they gave me full credit for the Integritys --cost an extra $200, money I would have spent in a couple of years anyway. The guy inflated them to 34 and essentially told me that running more inflated would shorten the life of the tire, void the warranty,etc. What does anyone else running these tires feel comfortable at? I live rural (offgrid) with rough roads. I got home late last night after putting 72 miles on the car and thrilled to see I got 54.1, considering I only P&Gd when I wasn't distracted by being late, getting lost in the dark, new tires underinflated, etc.... 3rd--I have good sheepskin seat covers I'd still like to get more use out of--where EXACTLY does the seat airbag explode from in the front seats? Is it at the seam between the seat and side support? The stitching there looks fairly robust, otherwise daily use from heavier individuals would cause the seat material to loosen prematurely, so I am thinking that if I use a seam ripper to weaken the seam along the same edge of my sheep covers they would certainly be able to burst open as well under similar explosive pressure. Thoughts? Thanks for everything I have learned from here. PS Toyota gave me a Visa gift card for $250 --an April bonus even though I ordered my car weeks ago. Free upgraded tires!
Howzit and welcome to the forums. I bought my 08 package 2 Spectra Blue Mica last September. I did get the extended warranty but it didn't cost that much. I got the 7/100K for less than $2000 and the 7/70K was a couple of hundred less. The only decision you have to make is if you have a covered repair costing $1000 in five or six years do you use the warranty or pay out of your pocket and get your $2000 back. If you do decide to get it, and don't use it, you have to request your refund back at the end of the warranty, it does not come automatically and there is a time limit. I still have the OEM tires as I live on the leeward side and do almost all my driving on paved, dry roads. I'll probably get a set of Michelins when these wear out. If I were you, I wouldn't try to modify the seat covers myself. Maybe the shop where you got them can modify them to work with the side air bags. Since side air bags are standard or at least optional on new cars now most reputable shops know how to make their seat covers compatible with the individual seats.
Hey, thanks for your reply, noticed you are Hi too. What do you average milage wise--aren't we lucky not to have cold winters to deal with, engine blocks, etc? I'm Hilo, went for the better tire to displace max H2O..
When my wife allows me to drive "her" car to work a couple of times a week (20 miles each way), I'm getting between 56 and 58 mpg using cruise control and going the speed limit. I tried to do the pulse and glide thing but it takes too much of my attention and I'd rather just relax enjoy the weather and scenery. My wife just drives it like she would any car and still gets 50 or 51 mpg with shorter trips so we average about 55+ per tank. Have fun with your new car, I know we do.
Hi offgrid, Re Sheepskins & Side Airbags: I think you can cut a suitable flap in the sheepskin covers, and then use a little double sided tape to tape the underside of the sheepskin flap to the upholstery. See this thread, especially the picture of GT seat covers for the Prius and where GT cut or put that flap in order to accomodate the side airbags: http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-main-forum/39212-front-seat-airbags-where-do-they-deploy.html
You can inflate tires up to the max cold pressure given on the sidewall and no harm done, except that the car's ride will be harder and the handling different. Lots of us use 42/20 front/rear to noticeably improve fuel economy. As for that extended warranty, save your money. Do you really want to lend some dealer $2700 for seven years at zero % interest? There is no car less in need of an extended warranty than a Prius; see the April 2008 issue of Consumer Reports.
