I have a 2012 Prius Plug-in (Canadian Technology Package) which I've had for 4 years. I was considering upgrading to a Lexus ES Hybrid or something like that but given that it only has 88xxx km on it, I decided instead to touch up the paint dings and keep it for a while longer. I had just lost a winter tire in the spring to a big bolt, and those tires were on my ancient 15" aluminum rims from my 2004 Prius. Being 15 years old and used lately as winter rims, they were all corroded to Hades, so I decided to get all new ART Replica 95 rims along with 4 new Continental WinterContact SI tires, as well as new front brakes. (The mechanic says the rear brakes should be done next year, so not too bad at almost 90000 km.) Actually, I bought these rims thinking they would be OK for winter but was told after the fact I probably should not have bought these because of the machined face. They're clear-coated but that probably won't last long. They also sell non-machined ones with a similar design for the same price, but they just didn't look as nice to me. Nonetheless, if I take care of them, they should be OK for a few years until I upgrade the car, and they were a decent value. They're from a respected Canadian company called DAI Wheels, they meet VIA/JWL standards, and cost only CAD$99 per wheel (US$74.50). They're hub-centric and guaranteed fitment for Toyota, and even use the same lug nuts. I didn't bother with TPMS though, so I saved a couple of hundred bux there too. Only 15" diameter so not ideal for looks, but at this price I'm not complaining. The tires were a lot cheaper too at the stock 195/65R15, and it didn't hurt that I got clearance ones for a big discount. It's a little early to have my winter wheels on now, but at least I beat the crowds, and the night time temps are already sometimes dropping now to around 12 Celsius, so I'm probably only about 6 weeks early up here.
I favour painted silver rims over machined and clear coated: much easier to touch-up. Really like the Plug-In rims too. The touch up colour (for any and all Prius silver painted rims I think, except the Persona) is Classic Silver Metallic (1F7). I'm a little confused: where on "earth" are you; has the Plug-In Prius ever sold in Canada?
Like the look. Balances the broad body. They look like the newer corolla rims that I have been wanting myself.
Eug When the weather starts getting awful, pack up your rims with paste wax. Don't even bother to buff it out. It doesn't look to good but it adds a nice layer of protection to the clear coat. Add paste inside and out if you feel like going the extra mile. In the spring you can use mineral spirits to remove what hasn't worn off over the winter and/or buff/wipe the machined surfaces.
I'm in Toronto. I bought a 2012 Plug-in that was used as the customer pickup/dropoff vehicle for the local dealership. Before they sold it to me, it had dealership decals all over it, and I had actually seen it driving around the city a couple of times. I only bought it because my 2004 Prius was totalled in a rear-ender, and the new series Prius models hadn't been released yet. I was planning to get a 2016 4th gen Prius, but after the accident I needed a car quick, and that car was on the lot and available with only 29000 km. I decided to give it a shot, since I was able to get them down to a decent price. Yes, fully loaded. I have no use for the headlamp washers though. I have never actually used them, except to test them out. I see on Wikipedia that only 63 of the 2012 Plug-ins were sold in Canada. I knew they were uncommon, but that makes them actually outright rare. No wonder I never see these 2012 models on Autotrader. A total of only 1102 were sold in Canada for that entire series, until the end of 2017 according to Wikipedia. Some people suggested I find some Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Spray Wax, and just regularly wash the wheels and then spray with this stuff, to get maybe a couple more years out of these rims. I'll do that, but I'll probably want to upgrade the entire car anyway in 2-3 years.
I happened to notice a 3rd gen Plug-In model in the lane beside me, a few months back, in Coquitlam. That's the only time I've seen one in the flesh.
Wow that is rare! I feel fortunate then. There’s a couple around here (Magnetic Grey, Clearwater Blue, two silvers, I think I saw a US import Seaglass Pearl and there’s at least one taxi). Hmm I was debating whether to get the 2010 Touring or the 2010 Technology package. The Touring would have had the LED low beams with headlight washers which would be more useful here (we use sand... so it gets muddy in the spring).
