1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Prius c fragile exterior?

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by Bhobski, Aug 22, 2015.

  1. Bhobski

    Bhobski New Member

    Joined:
    May 26, 2015
    4
    0
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    I just got a Prius C a couple of months ago and I can't help but notice how thin feeling the exterior body panels are... I notice it when I washed the car and the roof kinda dented in and popped out very easy (I wasn't washing very hard). I'm sure this is to save weight but is this something to really watch out for?
     
    #1 Bhobski, Aug 22, 2015
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,693
    39,238
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Yup, you don't want to put any localized weight on the roof: it will dimple. "Bumpers" too, they're really just fairings, very vulnerable. Watch too when rolling into parking stalls: wheel stops can snag underbody or lower edge of "bumper". And parallel parking: be cautious, real easy to chew up the wheel covers and/or alloy rims.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Aug 22, 2015
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,166
    50,060
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome! i put a cup of coffee up there to free my hand and open the door when i first got mine, and now there's a permanent indentation.:(
    on the plus side, it's been more stable when i put my coffee there since then. be careful!(y)
     
    #3 bisco, Aug 22, 2015
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,693
    39,238
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    We had a surfboard belted down on our reg 3rd gen, no issues. But maybe the trick is to have a large area. And Prius c could have reduced metal gauge even more?
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Aug 22, 2015
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,166
    50,060
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    maybe they went to aluminium, or carbon?
     
    #5 bisco, Aug 22, 2015
  6. Bhobski

    Bhobski New Member

    Joined:
    May 26, 2015
    4
    0
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    eek! Ok thanks
     
    #6 Bhobski, Aug 22, 2015
  7. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2006
    7,028
    1,116
    0
    Location:
    South Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I don't believe the roof is aluminum. Every manufacturer is looking for thinner, lighter cheaper.
     
    #7 JimN, Aug 22, 2015
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,166
    50,060
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    they should dismantle a toyota.;)
     
    #8 bisco, Aug 22, 2015
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,693
    39,238
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Check with a magnet. I kinda doubt it. Hood and hatch are aluminum tho, at least on reg prius.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Aug 22, 2015
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,166
    50,060
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i don't suppose carbon fibre 'dents'?
     
    #10 bisco, Aug 22, 2015
  11. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,921
    3,144
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Nope, but it will crack when it fails.
     
    #11 xliderider, Aug 22, 2015
  12. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2013
    5,884
    3,486
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    You must of slammed the roof with your coffee cup??
     
    #12 orenji, Aug 22, 2015
    Fahfoofnik likes this.
  13. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2013
    5,884
    3,486
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I have noticed if you go into a carwash with blowers to dry the car, the roof will pop in and out from the blowers. No more blowers for me. :(
     
    #13 orenji, Aug 22, 2015
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,166
    50,060
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i have a major stainless steel travel mug.;)
     
    #14 bisco, Aug 22, 2015
    ewaboy and orenji like this.
  15. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2013
    5,884
    3,486
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    64 oz??? ;)
     
    #15 orenji, Aug 22, 2015
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,166
    50,060
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    you betcha!:p
     
    #16 bisco, Aug 22, 2015
    orenji likes this.
  17. kingnba6

    kingnba6 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2013
    1,018
    242
    0
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    Ive put 2 Gallons on paint on the top of the C and nothing happened to it yet. The rear bumper however is very flexible.
     
    #17 kingnba6, Aug 23, 2015
  18. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2013
    5,884
    3,486
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    What color is your roof now? :p
     
    #18 orenji, Aug 24, 2015
    coyote303 likes this.
  19. Oldwolf

    Oldwolf Prius Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2011
    820
    110
    0
    Location:
    NC
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Four
    [​IMG]
     
    #19 Oldwolf, Aug 25, 2015
    ftl likes this.
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,166
    50,060
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i've heard of wrapping the roof, but paint?
     
    #20 bisco, Aug 25, 2015
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)