Thinking of getting a Prime, but question the front bumper. It looks fragile, and I see damage on some on the street. Design seems less robust than that of the Std Prius. Is this an issue, and is there a thread on this?
There's been several reports of the translucent "smoked" plastic zone getting a star-style fracture, when hit by rocks or whatever. I think a lot of owners just live with it? "Street" price for that piece seems to be around $375: 2017-2018 Toyota Prius Prime Grille Assembly 53101-47041 | OEMPartWorld A few more links: Grille Assembly - Toyota (53101-47041) | Toyota Parts 5310147041 - Grille. Grille, Radiator. Interior, Body, Hood - Genuine Toyota Part
Most of the damage to our 06 Prius seems to be at the corners of the bumpers, and the Prime’s front corner seems to be just sheet metal and a light fixture. Looks scary IMO.
Yes, the bumper is fragile. Be careful not to hit it on curbs or curbstones in a parking lot. iPhone ? Pro
I really have to muzzle/restrain myself, but what a crazy world, when we're talking about fragile bumpers.
To be exact, what fragile is not a bumper. It is a front grill assembly and other plastic covers mostly for cosmetics. I am sure the actual bumper underneath is strong enough to pass safety codes.
Jalopnik link, pray it doesn't blow up... From the comments: Jason what are you drinking because I want some too? I don’t know, but it’s in a Mrs. Buttersworth bottle and it burns as it goes down.
Hey, I just found out from the Jalponik article you posted a link. Those flapping rubber hanging from the rear hatch is actually a bumper protector. lol I saw one of those flapping "rubber mat" other day on a car front of me at an intersection and thought that they must have dropped a cargo mat while they are loading stuff in the back and lackly it had belts holding them.
Cosmetics and aerodynamics. What we keep calling "bumpers" in this thread are "bumper covers" or fairings; the actual bumpers are Styrofoam and aluminum bar. Doing it this way has its advantages, which is why everyone does it this way now. Lower drag, less mass, more opportunity for stylists. That Jalopnik article has a point, but at the same time: paint itself is there only to protect the metal underneath. Yet, there is a whole industry based on protecting the stuff that's there to protect the metal, and most enthusiasts obsess over having pristine paint (and bumper covers). Is that a failure too, and we should all move on from painting our cars?
Maybe if owners stop repairing these "opportunities for stylists", and the manufacturers get tired of seeing their "flagship vehicles" looking like ragamuffins? A bumper with moxie | PriusChat
That's what I've started doing. Three years ago a raccoon that was crossing the highway turned back at the last moment and directly into my bumper; I stitched up the bumper cover with zip ties. Not wasting hundreds of dollars on something that functions just the same whether it looks pretty or not.
The guy who did that zip tie treatment eventually got around to a proper repair, or it was replaced, not sure which. I was disappointed.
Maybe, but designing in a bit of sheet metal at the corners where a proper bumper should be would lead to a traffic ticket if “bumper” damage leads to broken turn-signal or running lights, IMO
The facades, both front and rear, are divorced from the "actual bumpers", nebulously attached to the car with a mix of clips, M6 bolts and plastic fasteners. Typically black plastic with body color paint, any love-tap takes off the paint, possibly dimples or cracks it. Any greater impact, the various fasteners give way, leaving the car looking like it has a broken jaw.
