Stealth mode is great! Running up behind people who "stroll" down the middle of the road at Walmart is just a laugh. I have gotta start filming it!! It also works for wildlife. Unfortunately, I startled a buzzard while it was enjoying a roadside snack. It jumped right out in front of me...and WHAM. Prius 1, Buzzard 0. I wonder if buzzards get angels wings? After I arrived at my destination, I found out my smiley grill was broken with a piece of chrome missing! That dang buzzard musta' ate it!!!? I took it to my dealer who groaned and said it would cost a fortune to fix. Oh great. Well, here are my questions: #1. What IS the smiley grill called? #2. Can't just the chrome part be replaced? (And therefore costing just a little less than a fortune?) #3. If it can be replaced, then where is the best place to get it? I really appreciate your help.
Toyota calls it the front bumper moulding - it is a subcomponent of the front bumper cover. I'm not sure if you can get it from Toyota, but there is an aftermarket chrome part that is designed to cover the original one. If the damage isn't too bad, you might be able to replace the original one. Sigma Auto Parts carries aftermarket JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) parts for the Prius. They have a chrome version and a Modellista black version on the page below: Toyota Prius 2004 ~ 2009 NHW20 Exterior Accessories :: Sigma Automotive
Wow! Thanks for the informative reply! I ordered a new one this morning and will see how it works out. Thanks!!!
Well...technically it was a vulture and not a buzzard. Not sure why we call them that. They look exactly like the image below. And look! What is that in his mouth?
