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

10 Day Old Prius Keyed!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by DetroitFlyer, Jul 2, 2009.

  1. DetroitFlyer

    DetroitFlyer New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2009
    18
    1
    0
    Location:
    Canton, MI
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    OK, I live in metro-Detroit. So, my 10 day old, ribbon blue Prius was keyed in my driveway. It was keyed around the Prius emblem on the back of the car. It will cost me slightly over $300.00 to have it repaired. At the body shop, the owner told me he gets about three Toyotas a month in that have been keyed.

    This is my first Toyota. Is this a common thing in other parts of the country, or does it only happen here in Detroit? I just cannot believe that someone would damage private property in this manner. Suffice it say, the Prius is now safely in the garage and our Jeep sits in the driveway.... Sad state of affairs if you ask me.
     
  2. ILoveMyYoshi

    ILoveMyYoshi Happy Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2009
    64
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    That stinks!!! I say set up a camera and catch the punks!
     
  3. neterizon

    neterizon New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2009
    14
    1
    0
    Location:
    Northern Virgina
    Model:
    IV
    I think a lot of it has to do with politics. I have sure read it in the newspapers more than once.

    Both Prii and Hummers get keyed because of their political symbols.

    I'm hoping that my new Prius (still on order) will never have to face the same crossfire.
     
  4. syncmacd

    syncmacd Waxing is Relaxing

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2009
    80
    15
    1
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    That sucks! Here in California it's the Hummers that get keyed. It's still wrong to key any car, Hummers included. Karma will come back to haunt them...
     
  5. DetPrius

    DetPrius Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2009
    545
    92
    0
    Location:
    Southeast Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Sorry to hear about your new Prius having been keyed. I also live in Metro Detroit and am waiting for my Blue Ribbon 2010 to arrive and I have thought about this too. There are destinations that I will avoid taking my Prius if at all possible. At home it will always be in the garage. It may be another reason I consider longer term plans to move out of here.

    Do those that do this realize around here that will accelerate rust due to road salt, which will result in a replacement being purchased sooner? They may be helping sell more Toyotas!
     
  6. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2008
    1,483
    137
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Owning a Japanese car in Detroit is dangerous, especially with all the plant closing.
     
  7. MaggieMay

    MaggieMay Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2009
    534
    68
    0
    Location:
    Gloucester, MA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    No excuses. No matter your geography or politics, it's just plain wrong. I'm so sorry. :mad:
     
    4 people like this.
  8. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2004
    15,140
    611
    0
    Location:
    South Puget Sound, WA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Nissan LEAF
    Model:
    Persona
    bummer about your Pri man!!... but i think the area does have a lot to do with it. when we did the PC Reveal in Detroit, was there 3 days and did not see one single Pri (except for Wayne's which doesn't count since he was one of the invitees)

    now, i live in an area that has embraced alternative fuels and green living big time... so i guess its time to say that a few days ago, someone egged my car.

    oh well, what can you do?
     
  9. mr.whit

    mr.whit Member

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2006
    117
    12
    11
    Location:
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Sorry to here about your Prius... But I glad to see someone else from Michigan. I am still waiting for my 10.
     
  10. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2007
    5,051
    485
    97
    Location:
    Flushing, NY
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Sorry that you got keyed DetroitFlyer.

    I don't think it's necessarily a Detroit thing, anti-Japanese thing or class thing.

    My Prius got keyed once in Manhattan and once on Long Island.

    My brother's Kia Rondo got keyed in the wealthiest school district on Long Island.

    If anything, I think it's more of a kids' thing -- vandalism for fun.
     
  11. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2006
    7,028
    1,116
    0
    Location:
    South Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    It's just your local scum. Unfortunately scum is everywhere but some places are scummier than others. The hatch is aluminum.
     
  12. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2003
    5,341
    920
    251
    Location:
    Surprise, AZ (Phoenix)
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    Sorry to hear about that :( Any pics to share your pain?
     
  13. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

    Joined:
    May 22, 2009
    9,083
    5,798
    0
    Location:
    Undisclosed Location
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I suppose unless you are able to catch and talk to the person or people responsible you never really will know the flawed motivation. However, a friend of mine lived in an apartment complex inwhich 2-3 people individually owned Prius. All parked outside. One day he came out and the people who owned The Prius's were all outside and upset. Somebody had come by and keyed and vandalized ONLY the Prius's.

    So I think sometimes The Prius can unfortunately and unfairly be a target. As Maggie pointed out, there never is a good reason for what is a mindless crime of vandalism in any case.
     
  14. nickire

    nickire New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2009
    8
    2
    0
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Sorry to hear about your damage--it stinks to have to cough up the $ due to some miscreant's immature behavior. Even worse that is it brand new and tainted already. I have had mine on order since Sept, and just picked it up last night. I spent many hours over the last year mentally debating the pros and cons of "stealthing" the car to avoid such "specialized" treatment that seems, in part, to be aimed more frequently at these vehicles.
    I was disappointed to read in this forum that the major rear emblems are secured via through-hole mounting. That shot down my idea of badge removal. I did consider badging it with a Chevy Volt tag if I could find one, just to see if
     
  15. nickire

    nickire New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2009
    8
    2
    0
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    sorry--bad keystroke. I was curious if a domestic nameplate would prevent any such attacks. One would never really know, however, without a "control" vehicle parked next to the rebadged car at all times....and while interesting, it seems like just a bit too much work....
    I do seem to notice a disproportionate number of Prius with door dings compared to the general populace. Either a result of thinner skinned panels or intentional malice. Several friends who now own 2007 & 2008's have several door dings, where in the preceeding 10 years of car ownership have had none. Since parking and driving habits have not changed, it does make you wonder.....
     
  16. djasonw

    djasonw Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2004
    952
    116
    0
    Location:
    Coconut Creek, FL
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I think it is definitely the luck of the draw but with respect to Detroit which is really hurting right now I can assure you it definitely plays a part. I've had my car for 5 years now and have not been keyed yet and I live in the NYC Metro area. I certainly do feel your pain. I would probably wait a little while before you get that key mark fixed. The perp may be waiting for you to fix it so he can strike again and cause you more grief.
     
  17. rfruth

    rfruth Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2008
    394
    8
    24
    Location:
    Houston, Tx
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    It's a low blow when someone resorts to damaging someone else's property - if they have a problem there are better ways of dealing with it rather than the chicken shet method - agree don't run out & get it fixed right away :(