Anyone removed the side Hybrid badges?

the only badge i will take off is the cheesy dealership emblems..

 

Midpack,

2006s - 2008s most definitely do have two holes (not in a horizontal
line) under the badges.They are not exactly "pin holes" either, more
like 3/16" in diameter.

Have not seen any definitive reports on the '09 (probably do, it's the
same bodywork as the '08) or the '10... who knows?

One of the lucky Gen IIIers will have to screw up their courage, pry
one up (but not necessarily off) and take a look-see.

As you noted, there already is a report that the Prius and HSD badges
on the Gen III's rear lift gate have positioning holes:

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ed-my-2010-prius-today-look-what-i-found.html

I wonder why Mother Toyota feels it necessary to take such
pre-emptive, draconian measures...

What, they're worried someone will mistake a Honda Insight II
for a Gen II/III Prius? Honda should be so lucky!

 

I just did and the holes are not symetrical from one side to the other. The passgr side holes are further forward +/- 3 inches and angle up toward the frt. Drvr side angles up toward the rear.

 

Is it really worth potentially damaging the finish/paint for such a tiny thing though? Seems like minutae to me....

 

hell yes!

 

I agree. Nothing at all would be best, but the worst case should have been decals that have no weight or aerodynamic drag as compared to the thick badges Toyota decided to use.

 

I started to pull mine off, but when I saw the holes, I stuck it back on. I kinda cracked the emblem and have a feeling that the seal isn't quite the same. I was thinking of purchasing a new emblem and sticking it on so that I have a nice seal.

 

I took mine off and put sidemarker turn signals on. You want one of mine? Which side did you f'up?

 

Thanks for the offer. I messed up the driver's side. It's cracked and the seal must be messed up now. I'll just buy another and stick it on a little later.

 

Feel free to do whatever you makes you happy with your Prius. My opinion is I grew up in the 70's, 80's and it continues to an extent even today, but we've had a history where automobiles proudly badged number of cylinders -V8 or total size of the ICE, 289, 324... for me, it's not really about advertising that The Prius is a hybrid but more about promoting change. I'm glad to have lived to an age where an automobile can badge proudly that it is a hybrid. Do most people know The Prius is a hybrid? Sure, but most people knew the 67 Mustang was a V8.

I know I'm sounding a little "south parkenian" but for me, the hybrid badges stay. Why not? IMO unless you are modifying for a totally badgeless look what's wrong with a little hybrid badging? We've had decades of automobiles proudly proclaiming gas guzzling abilities, hybrids have a long way to go to catch up.

Bottom line though, whatever makes you happy. But I wouldn't define it as overkill. Oh and despite some very minimal almost uncountable advantage to drag a decal might have over a physical badge, my vote is give me the actual badge. Decals as badging remind me of early Hyundais or Kia's, nothing IMO ages worse, or looks cheaper than an automobile that badges itself with stickers.