Just picked up my Silver 2006, Option Package #4 last night, and now I'm chomping at the bit to get the mods to make it my own, maximize the mpg, and most importantly, have fun. I've been looking here at some of the mods (EV kit, iPod integration) and accessories (sunshades and sharkfin antenna), but I wanted to know what mods you have on your Prius and why you got them. What else do I need to give me the most out of my Prius? Andy
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AZTriGuy @ Jul 14 2006, 04:23 PM) [snapback]286373[/snapback]</div> Body side molding is a must IMHO. http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=18837&st=0
My list is in my signature. The first two I got were the most important to me: tinted windows (makes a HUGE difference with the bright SoCal sun) and integrated XM satellite radio. The display hood for the mfd screen is also a great help too, for when the sun is shining right at the screen, it shades it so you can still see it real well.
Should have added the tint, that's going in next week. Here in AZ, that is certainly a must have as well. I had forgotten about the MFD hood, I'll have to see how the sun affects the display over the next week or two and see if I'm going to need that. I don't listen to XM anyway, I'm pretty much 100% iPod tunes and podcasts, but I want that integration into the MFD. As soon as it's ready for 2006 models, I'm soooo there... sl7vk, I like the look of those side mouldings, I didn't see any mention of cost? Can't be much, but they certainly add a flare to the presentation. I could tell my wife they protect against door dings and she might let me add them in She already says I'm too much of a geek wanting to do the iPod integration, but oh well, if the shoe fits . . .
I'd suggest the BT Stiffening Plate (now on sale through Sunday from PriusChat, search for Danny's post) and new tires. Lots of discussions here about both. Congratulations!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AZTriGuy @ Jul 14 2006, 04:57 PM) [snapback]286398[/snapback]</div> $120 through http://www.metrotpn.com/ProductCollection....CollectionID=25 those guys. The sight of those giant doors with no ding protectors freaked me out every time I parked the car. 120 is cheap for not having to worry (as much) about those things!
Most of my add-ons are trivial. All-weather mats for sand in the summer and snow in the winter. Cargo mat for keeping the original carpeting clean. It also makes cleaning the cargo area easier since I can remove the mat and dust it off. The EV mod for the times when I want the engine off or I know the engine should be off if it was in S4. The silverstars because I wanted whiter lighter (slightly brighter but easier to see things when they're white rather than yellow.) VVT-i emblem is just an emblem for our engine. It's on other Toyota cars (roughly where the HYBRID emblem goes) sport pedals - unnecessary really but they do make the accelerator pedal larger and make it less mundane when you see the black pedals and black dash and black rubber mats. In short, I'd recommend some sort of cargo mat (carpet or rubber), possibly the BT Stiffening Plate, new set of tyres (see if the dealer will exchange or upgrade [pay the difference] the tyres if they're <50 miles), get mudguards to protect the lower body from splashes and stones. Definitely get some sort of sunshade for the windshield because the dashboard (and ultimately the MFD) heat up quite quickly.
I've noticed that seat covers weren't mentioned. Wet Okole and GT Seat Covers are very popular, but there are other makers.
My two mods are the EV switch and the CAN-View. (That last, sadly, is not available for the 2006). I would not have thought of a tire upgrade as a "mod" if Bill Merchant had not mentioned it, but you can (and I did) get much better tires than the OEM ones. I think it's worth it.
