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Body side moldings or not?

Discussion in 'Prime Accessories and Modifications' started by Starburst, Mar 29, 2021.

?

Do I need Body Side Moldings on a Prime?

  1. Yes, they are worth it. Get the car with the moldings.

    3 vote(s)
    33.3%

  2. No, get the car you think looks better.

    6 vote(s)
    66.7%
  1. Starburst

    Starburst Junior Member

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    I’m a 2015 Prius Five owner and I’m about to purchase a 2021 Prius Prime Limited. I’ve got it narrowed down to 2 cars, from different dealerships (also different states), same color combinations, one has body side moldings and one doesn’t. Almost every car I have ever driven has had them. Trouble is, I don’t like the way they look on a Prime (in pictures. We have very limited inventory here and I haven’t seen them in person). I’m wondering if I will regret if I don’t get the one with the moldings? I’m also buying out of state, remotely so I can’t compare in person. The one without the moldings has door edge guards. Pricing is very similar with the one with the moldings priced a little less, and shipping will be cheaper.
     
    #1 Starburst, Mar 29, 2021
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The body side mouldings are a dealer-installed accessory so if you miss having them, you can always get them installed later.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Mar 29, 2021
    Starburst likes this.
  3. SeattleBebop1

    SeattleBebop1 Active Member

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    Congrats on your good taste! No, the molding looks stupid on a Prime in person. Visually, it messes up the sleek, shark-like lines.

    I don't have the molding *and* I have the door edge guards instead. Now I can't recommend you pay extra, but mine came with the illuminated door sills. Metal as heck. Love 'em.
     
    #3 SeattleBebop1, Mar 29, 2021
    Merkey and Starburst like this.
  4. Starburst

    Starburst Junior Member

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    The car I am looking at without the moldings comes with door edge guards. I like the illuminated door sills too. Did you install them yourself?
     
    #4 Starburst, Mar 29, 2021
  5. Dennis_MA

    Dennis_MA Active Member

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    It is a personal choice. I got them because at the time, my office parking lot was quite crowded and there were some people who where not careful when opening their doors. I negotiated them as part of the deal when I got my Prime. I also had them on my 2017 Prime and 2012 Prius.
     
    #5 Dennis_MA, Mar 29, 2021
  6. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    If you don't like it, why pay for it. Yeah, as said above, it is an easy stick-on molding you can always add later. If you DIY, it will be half of the price of what TOYOTA charges on a new car.
     
    #6 Salamander_King, Mar 29, 2021
  7. Starburst

    Starburst Junior Member

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    I hate car dealers. Pretty much decided I want the car without the moldings. It will wind up being a few hundred bucks more than the car that has the moldings, and shipping will cost more as it is several hundred miles further away. Asked for a price sheet on Friday and info on shipping. It’s a mom and pop type dealership, from what I gather, was promised the info on Saturday (didn’t get it) then this morning. Told the guy I need it today as this is my only day off to do the deal. Still nothing.
    I might go with the car with the moldings. I’ve been researching this for almost 3 months. Trouble is, I’ve caught the guy in a few untruths (he quoted me $74 for tag and registration and it took several times to get the correct number. I knew it was several hundred dollars more. He also told me I would have to come there to do the deal. It’s a really good price but idk if it is going to stick or if I will get many more added fees.
    Decisions, decisions.
     
    #7 Starburst, Mar 29, 2021
  8. potatoesLOL

    potatoesLOL Active Member

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    Personally I would skip the moldings. They are visually jarring and break up the design lines
     
    #8 potatoesLOL, Mar 30, 2021
  9. E-GINO

    E-GINO Active Member

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    Moldings are a bless... they are the only barrier against serial others-car-door harassers,a harmful species unfortunately spread all over the globe.
     
    #9 E-GINO, Mar 31, 2021
    Starburst likes this.
  10. pghyndman

    pghyndman Active Member

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    Perhaps, if door curvatures/protuberances on an adjacent vehicle align properly with the moldings. There are other real world parking lot "uh-ohs" to also contend with, notably shopping carts and the like. They likely will prevent some mishaps and, if ya' like the style, then go for it!.
     
    #10 pghyndman, Mar 31, 2021
  11. Tickwood

    Tickwood Active Member

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    Adding them is the first thing I do when I get a new car. to me they look good.
     
    #11 Tickwood, Mar 31, 2021
    Teddy2021 likes this.
  12. Teddy2021

    Teddy2021 Junior Member

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    Does anyone have a recommendation for a good aftermarket side moldings?
    I see some on ebay, but they are meant for the older 2010-2015 Prius' and I'm not sure if they will fit on the 2021 Primes.
     
    #12 Teddy2021, Apr 1, 2021
  13. SeattleBebop1

    SeattleBebop1 Active Member

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    No, I'm not really that mechanically inclined! But someone on the forum has posted detailed instructions on how to do it. The cost from the dealership is pretty expensive.
     
    #13 SeattleBebop1, Apr 1, 2021
  14. Potorap

    Potorap Active Member

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    Would you happen to know who it was that had detailed instructions? I have a new molding that I want to install. Thank you.
     
    #14 Potorap, May 20, 2021
  15. Koolfreak

    Koolfreak Junior Member

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    I installed mine myself... and I love it!!!
     

    Attached Files:

    #15 Koolfreak, May 25, 2021
    dtsexpert, SeattleBebop1 and xliderider like this.
  16. SeattleBebop1

    SeattleBebop1 Active Member

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    Illuminated Door Sill install on Gen4 Prius | PriusChat
    I don't know if the instructions would work for your generation, though?
     
    #16 SeattleBebop1, Jun 11, 2021
  17. dtsexpert

    dtsexpert Member

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    Is it EOM or after-market?
    Look great.
     
    #17 dtsexpert, Jun 11, 2021
  18. Graz

    Graz Member

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    I attached some on my '05. They are still on and look great. Best thing I can tell you is that I have no idea if the protected my car at all.

    Via Prius Chat for Android
     
    #18 Graz, Jun 17, 2021
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