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Solar roof option on Prius 3?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by DrPepperholik, Apr 25, 2014.

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  1. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    From what I've read here and on the Volt forum it seems to work pretty well when applied to the hood and front bumper.
     
    #21 ny_rob, Apr 28, 2014
  2. DrPepperholik

    DrPepperholik Active Member

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    So the paint protection package is worth it for the front at least. I read somewhere that paint protection was a glorified wax job. Guess it depends on the manufacturer and dealer.

    Are TrueCar prices pretty good? The downside is the closest dealer on TrueCar is so slack about calling and emailing like they don't want my business.
     
    #22 DrPepperholik, Apr 28, 2014
  3. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    The protection being talked about here is a clear film applied to the vehicle, not a glorified wax job. It's usually best to apply it to the front bumper, first bit of the hood and side view mirrors as those are the spots that get most affected by rock chips.

    Protect your vehicle's paint with Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film
     
    #23 Paradox, Apr 28, 2014
  4. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    It's actually a tough polymer film applied over your paint.
    It can be removed and a fresh layer reapplied if needed.
    I haven't read any negative comments here about other than the cost...

    If Toyota had used white plastic for the bumper cover on the BP Prius it's wouldn't be an issue, but that black plastic just really stands out in the sea of white when chipped.
     
    #24 ny_rob, Apr 28, 2014
  5. DrPepperholik

    DrPepperholik Active Member

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    Is it noticeable?

    The price is high. But then again, what's the cost of a paint job repair, especially in the BP. For that paint you're already paying extra, why pay that much more again to fix it.
     
    #25 DrPepperholik, Apr 28, 2014
  6. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    The protection film? No it's not noticeable, especially not on the BP.

    Just the paint is something like $50/pint... you need all three- so $150 just for the paint, then there's the labor so maybe figure $500-$800 for the front bumper and hood....
     
    #26 ny_rob, Apr 28, 2014
  7. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    I don't get it because I trade every 2-4 years. So whatever small rock chips I may get I live with them as the money I would have spent on the film I put into purchasing the new vehicle.

    If you're going to keep it a long time, I'd say it's worth it. The only thing you really see with the film is the edge of it, and that's when up close. You'll see it more on darker colored cars, I think. It looks WAY better than those horrible black leather or fake leather bras people used to (and some still do, eww) put on the front end of their vehicles, lol.

    By the way, I've had several Prius in various colors and Blizzard Pearl was my favorite.
     
    #27 Paradox, Apr 28, 2014
  8. DrPepperholik

    DrPepperholik Active Member

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    The bras, ugh, those were awful looking! I still see them sometimes and I just think "Why??? Why???"

    I am so over buying cars this will be it for me for a while until the hubs needs a new one. His 1995 Passport is still trucking on though. I hate to give up the Mustang but babies and Mustangs don't jive. The husband warned me but my stubbornness got the best of me. He doesn't mind, he likes it when I say he was right. So the Prius will be at least a 5 year car, hopefully longer until I can save enough to pay cash for a Shelby GT500.

    The Prius seems like a very good car that I will love. It'll get great MPG, it's a Toyota so it will last a long time and it's got lots of technology features I like. As a software engineer I like it. I explained to my husband the other night how the hybrid system on the Prius works and how the solar roof panel works and he was impressed too, he's also a software engineer. It appeals to our inner nerd.

    It's the Toyoguard that I read is just a glorified wax job and spray Scotchguard on the fabric.
     
    #28 DrPepperholik, Apr 28, 2014
  9. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Wasn't the premium paint option only $200 or was it $250? I'm pretty sure it wasn't $400 extra.

    SCH-I535
     
    #29 xliderider, Apr 28, 2014
  10. DrPepperholik

    DrPepperholik Active Member

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    It's like $385 or something. It's not a whole lot.
     
    #30 DrPepperholik, Apr 28, 2014
  11. randommonks

    randommonks Member

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    I have the 3M clear bra on my dark blue Prius and, like Paradox said, it's only noticeable up close and around the edges on the hood. I'd also advise getting it inside the door handle areas to prevent fingernail scratches.
     
    #31 randommonks, Apr 28, 2014
  12. DrPepperholik

    DrPepperholik Active Member

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    Is the inside of the door handles the "door cups" that is on the pricing sheets?
     
    #32 DrPepperholik, Apr 28, 2014
  13. randommonks

    randommonks Member

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    Yes I believe that's what they call it.
     
    #33 randommonks, Apr 28, 2014
  14. DrPepperholik

    DrPepperholik Active Member

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    You can wash it like normal? No need to be extra gentle around the edges? And the film doesn't peel up over time, like a band aid?
     
    #34 DrPepperholik, Apr 28, 2014
  15. randommonks

    randommonks Member

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    From what the original dealership told me, the 3M is warrantied for the life of the car. I had them redo the hood panel since it was coming up around the edges but once they replaced the film, I haven't noticed any faults. I did manage to put a light but long scratch along the edge of the 3M when I was trying to clean out some pollen along the top of it with my fingernail but that was more my own stupidity than anything else. I've read you can wash and wax the car like normal with the film on and my car's been run through the dealership's car wash a couple of times in the 5 months I've had it without any peeling or discoloration.

    My salesperson did try to convince me to remove the bra because he said that it would yellow and discolor with time. I called him crazy in my head and am enjoying the protection from dings.
     
    #35 randommonks, Apr 28, 2014
  16. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    The film gets washed & waxed just like the rest of the car. You do want to be careful around the edges. If you wax up from the car to the film the edge is going to catch the wax. Wax from the film down to the car. If you press your fingernail hard enough against the film it will leave a mark.

    Get it applied to as much as the car as you can afford. Covering the full hood looks better than just doing the first 1/3. If you aren't applying a rubber strip across the top of the rear bumper cover then put the film there as well.

    Here's their website:

    VentureShield™ paint protection film
     
    #36 JimN, Apr 29, 2014
  17. DrPepperholik

    DrPepperholik Active Member

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    So the dealer called me yesterday to say they are trying to meet sales goals this month and asked what it'd take to earn my business this month. I asked my husband and we threw a crazy number out of $21,000 for a Prius Three with solar roof. I knew they wouldn't bite but I figured if they could come down from their online price of $24,600 something then it'd be nice. They didn't bite. She said

    "There is no way I can get there on that Prius. The MSRP is $29,417.00 I have Reduced it Down to my best Deal at $24,569.00. If you are still in the $21,000.00 Price Range we need to consider less options and an instock unit."

    Since their inventory consists of 17 Priuses in stock, 3 are Prius Fours and the rest are Prius Twos I will not be choosing an instock unit as she suggests. I think they just want to get rid of their inventory, right? Are the Threes not that popular? I want a Three with solar roof, not a Four since for some reason they feel it's necessary to charge $3,000 for the the solar roof option because they bundle it with all kinds of navigation stuff, I don't need/want that. However, there is a Four with solar roof at a dealer 30 miles from me but the True Car and Consumer Reports prices are at $28,000 when I'd like to stay at $24,000.
     
    #37 DrPepperholik, Apr 30, 2014
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yes, she will make a bester deal on inventory than bringing in a special car for you. and 5k off is a pretty sweet deal!
     
    #38 bisco, Apr 30, 2014
  19. DrPepperholik

    DrPepperholik Active Member

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    It is! I would pay that for the special car for me but they don't seem interested. I did make an offer for it at $23,400 to see if they'd bite and alas they did not. I'm sure they'll push their inventory on me but I don't want their inventory.
     
    #39 DrPepperholik, Apr 30, 2014
  20. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    You have zero leverage when not buying off their lot- asking them to bring in a car and discount it is not in their best interest.

    Where is the car you want located? They must have an internet sales department...
     
    #40 ny_rob, Apr 30, 2014
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