I continue to be concerned about "dings" when the my car is parked in a lot. Toyota's response follows. Any suggestions for an alternative? Toyota's Response: "Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. We appreciate the opportunity to address your inquiry. We apologize, body side moldings is not an available option on the 2004 Prius. However, we do understand your concern and have documented your comments at our National Headquarters under file 200401080440. It is through communications such as yours that we become aware of the reactions and expectations of our customers. " National Customer Relations
There are lots of aftermarket bodyside moldings available. They might be a bit tricky to install but I think any body shop would do it for a reasonable fee.
I was concerned too, so I got clear 15" wide film side panels put on the doors. There is a very faint line visible, but it is much less obvious than ding bars would be and I think it fits the esthetics of the car better. The work was done by a local window tinting company and the cost was about $525. The doors look great after 3 months. Unfortunately I've managed to put a scratch in the paint by the hatchback door and another on the rear fender. Both are from loading stuff and getting klutsy.
I saw an ad in a MotorWeek magazine last summer for magnetic stick on side molding that looked like real factory molding. You can stick it on for parking and take it off or leave it on for driving. I have been uanble to find that ad or find the product anywhere on the net. Does anybody know wher to find that stuff? Please e-mail me directly ([email protected]) if you know where to get it. Thanks!
Body side mouldings and bumper corner protectors appear in UK Prius brochures in the accessory section. I have scans of the relevant pages but can't seem to post them. I don't however vouch for their availability as I've just been told that mudflaps are not available in UK yet and it may be Summer before they appear.
Original Toyota 2004 Prius body mouldings are available in Switzerland. [Broken External Image]:http://fr.toyota.ch/media/chde/images/showroom/prius/accessories/zube_prius_seitenschutz.jpg CHF 140 = USD 106.90 [Broken External Image]:http://fr.toyota.ch/media/chde/imag...ries/zube_prius_stossstangen-schutzleiste.jpg CHF99 = USD 75.60 Current Fx rate CHF 1.31 = USD 1
Mike N, I think that magnetic strip you mentioned is a "DingGuard". Go to www.dingguard.com. BTW, that little strip of rubber for the bumper edges in the message above for $70+, about $6.99 will buy the same thing from an Auto Parts store.
the ding guards are $39.95 for a pair and according to the website each is custom made for your make and model of car... although there was no color choices so i guess the magnetic strips are black. they also have free shipping.
I don't think you can drive with them on. I saw no such claim on their webste. I think you get 2 strips, one for each side of the car. The strip will span the side of the car such that you couldn't open the front doors. I'm not sure what would happen to the strip if you opened a rear door.
Not so much fun if it's pouring rain, or if it's 30 degrees below zero. There are not many things that Toyota got wrong on the Prius, but the absense of door-ding guards is one of them. What were they thinking???
about 3 months ago on PC there was a post on using side moldings and the poster gave a url to a company that did colour matched side mouldings try a search on that.
