Do you use the cargo cover much?

Yes, I find the cargo cover very useful. It's great for keeping stuff hidden from view, it's handy for rear seat passengers to toss their jackets onto, and it will help keep anything stored there from flying around the car in an accident. It's too bad it didn't come with the car, but I'd say if you can pick one up for not much money, you probably won't regret it.

 

I use mine all of the time. The only time I don't use it is when I put something in the back area that is too tall to allow me to close the cover. If you can get one in good condition on eBay for a fraction of the cost new, I'd go for it.

If you don't have the original OEM mats, I'd get those too, including the one for the back cargo area.

 

These days, I use mine all the time --- the cover is almost always on (not rolled up). The only time it isn't in use is when I'm hauling stuff with the backseats folded down. I highly recommend getting one. It turns the cargo area into a trunk of sorts.

However, years ago, in the 1970s and 1980s, when petty crime was pretty rampant in US cities, people would hardly ever use their cargo covers when their cars were parked on city streets --- they feared that this would tempt a thief to break the car windows to see what valuables may be hidden underneath. Similarly, people would leave the glove department doors open so thieves could see that there was nothing of value there. And pull-out radios/cassette players were also popular then. Car owners would pull out the radio/cassette player whenever they left the car, and frequently have a yellow sign stuck on the car window with suction cups, saying "NO RADIO ON BOARD". And forget about leaving a baby car seat in the car overnight. It would not be there in the morning, and one of your car windows would be broken, and worst of all, you would feel as if someone had violated your child.

 

Mine is stored in the compartment under the floor, in the slot designed for it. The cargo area looks empty now, so there's less chance of someone breaking a window to steal whatever they think is under the cover.
It's not really empty though, the stuff I carry all the time is under the floor too.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(debrasnell @ Oct 16 2007, 12:15 AM) [snapback]526185[/snapback]</div>

Yes! It hides my stuff, keeps the sun off of groceries, and I like it. If you can get one on eBay at 1/4 the cost go for it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lowlander @ Oct 16 2007, 01:46 AM) [snapback]526217[/snapback]</div>

Debra,

As I said before, I use my cargo cover all the time and would definitely get one even if I had to pay retail price. Getting it for a fraction of the retail price on ebay is a bargain (tho shipping would add to that).

But reading lowlander's quote above reminds me: Could it be that you actually have a cargo cover and it's stored in the compartment under the floor?

 

I use it as if it were a . . . cover over the trunk.

Rarely have I had it rolled up. It keeps things out of the sun, but more than that it keeps down interior noise and adds to the general tidiness of the car. If I didn't have it, I'd buy one from the dealer in a second. If I could get one gently used on eBay, I'd jump at it. Just be certain it is the same interior color!

 

I have an extra reflective sunshield that I lay on top of the cover, which further helps keep heat down on sunny days.

 

By keeping the cover closed you also reduce the space the heater and air conditioner need to heat and cool. I know it isn't a lot but every little bit helps. Anything else I have to say has been said above.

 

I've used mine frequently. I'd definitely get the cover from ebay. It's good to have even if you don't use it regularly. It'll add to your Prius' resale value should you ever - God forbid - decide to sell your car.

 

Once a week we travel about 70 miles (round trip) to grocery shop at a fav store. We take a cold bag for some of the groceries and the cargo cover is great at keeping the summer heat off of the cold bag -- particularly if we stop several more times. I'd go for it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Oct 16 2007, 07:41 AM) [snapback]526271[/snapback]</div>

X2.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lowlander @ Oct 15 2007, 11:46 PM) [snapback]526217[/snapback]</div>

I put mine under the floor and haven't pulled it out since. Once it goes down there, it will probably never come out again. I might just put it back up just so I start using it again!

 

Debra,

So were you the high bidder on the cover yesterday? (I thought I saw a bisque one for which bidding ended last night).

If so, how much?

If not, I think there is still a bisque one and a gray one up for auction with about 4 days remaining.

 

Best use of the cargo cover -

Solar clothes dryer, after visiting the beach -