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Toyota Prius Paint Quality?

38 messages,  Last post on May 08, 2012 at 1:37 PM

You are in the Toyota Prius Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Exterior, Hatchback, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 4

#1 of 38 Quality of paint? by lightgear

Aug 30, 2007 (11:54 am)

I have heard a few rumblings in some reviews about the quality of the paint on the current generation Prius. Is this just some picky consumers who can't find anything else to complain about, or is there actually an issue with the paint?
 
Check out the first review on this page.
http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Reviews-c5251-r2542-2007-Prius.html
 
I'm looking buy one in the next couple of weeks and have a few other questions. Is getting the Touring package worth it? It the gas mileage (like the reviewer says) really around 35 in the real world?

#2 of 38 Re: Quality of paint? [lightgear] by stevegold

Aug 30, 2007 (12:34 pm)

Replying to: lightgear (Aug 30, 2007 11:54 am)
I have a Super White 2004. I think the paint is fine. I have the same paint color on my 2007 Highlander Hybrid. In the Prius, I get a minimum of 45mpg sometimes 50 and occasionally even more. Great car.

#3 of 38 Re: Quality of paint? [lightgear] by pathstar1

Aug 31, 2007 (9:21 am)

Replying to: lightgear (Aug 30, 2007 11:54 am)
The paint on mine is just fine. It's not a "fine paint job" as you would expect to find on a Lexus. There is slight orange peel, but you have to align the sun's reflection just right to see it.
 
The touring gives you slightly stiffer suspension, slightly larger rear spoiler, and 16" wheels with nicer tires than the standard model. The wheels are also aluminum, but painted gun metal gray and have full wheel covers. It will also get about 5-10% poorer mileage. It will cost about $200 more than a similarly optioned standard model. You are the only one who can answer the question. Is that worth it to you?
 
Prius gets an average of 45 MPG US in the "real world". Check out greenhybrid.com to see what owners are reporting re mileage. My car started out getting 47 MPG, and is now at 52+, still breaking in at 8000 km. It's a standard model. I'm not looking forward to the "winter fuel economy hit". Also, contrary to the nay-sayers, it is possible to get the now old EPA results without extreme measures. My last two city only tanks returned 4.1 l/100 km, about 60 MPG US or 70 MPG imperial. Exactly as the old EPA figures. Don't expect that however. Getting the revised EPA figures is not hard, but you do have to change your driving habits. Calm and quiet, and let the idiots race by you.
 
Auto testers do not live in the real world. How would they know what the mileage would be there?

#4 of 38 Re: Quality of paint? [lightgear] by eprupis

Aug 31, 2007 (11:20 am)

Replying to: lightgear (Aug 30, 2007 11:54 am)
I have a 2004. Paint is fine but I don't know about newer models. My actual mileage over 48000k is 52+mpg. I think anyone who claims real mileage below 40mpg is breathing too much exhaust.

#5 of 38 Re: Quality of paint? [lightgear] by bshugart

Sep 03, 2007 (9:30 am)

Replying to: lightgear (Aug 30, 2007 11:54 am)
I have a 2007 Prius and experiencing a problem with the paint chipping on the hood. Since I do mostly hiway driving, do not understand what is causing the problem, unless it is the aerodynamics of the vehicle. Have noticed an inordinate amount of bugs on the hood as well. Having to apply touch-up to the chipped paint on a regular basis. Any other 07 owners having this problem??

#6 of 38 Re: Quality of paint? [bshugart] by pathstar1

Sep 06, 2007 (1:14 pm)

Replying to: bshugart (Sep 03, 2007 9:30 am)
Bugs yes. Chips no. Don't follow so close.
 
If it is really bothering you, get the 3M "clearbra" installed. It works well.

#7 of 38 Re: Quality of paint? [pathstar1] by bshugart

Sep 06, 2007 (1:43 pm)

Replying to: pathstar1 (Sep 06, 2007 1:14 pm)
Live in far West Texas...can drive 70 miles without seeing another car, so it is not from following too close. It gets downright lonely driving the roads out here...all blacktopped with 75mph speed limit.

#8 of 38 Stuff in the air by pf_flyer HOST

Sep 06, 2007 (5:01 pm)

Chips from small stones and grit don't have to be caused by following too close. Heck passing a car that's headed in the other direction could do it. They knock stuff up into to the air, you drive through it... ping ping PING!
 
It's been pretty buggy here in central PA lately too. Feel like I need to wash the cars every couple of days!

#9 of 38 Re: Quality of paint? [lightgear] by _ray

Oct 17, 2007 (7:50 pm)

Replying to: lightgear (Aug 30, 2007 11:54 am)
I purchased a new 2006 Prius last year and quickly learned that it had essentially no clearcoat over the base paint. My car is a deep dark red (don't know the name of the color off hand, but it is a pretty color). I tried keeping it cleaned and waxed often at first but let the cleaning slide for about a month or so. When I cleaned it again I found that the dead bugs on the front of the car had permanently etched the paint.
 
I have cats which love to get on my cars. Just the cats walking on my Prius have scratched the paint to the primer.
Someone keyed one side and I took it to a reputable body shop. The owner of the shop stated that they could not paint a layer of clearcoat as thin as what Toyota does. They said the paint is so thin on some of the Toyota cars that have been brought to their shop that they could see the primer under it.
 
Unless Toyota has changed the way they paint their cars and you're committed to getting one, I suggest that you get a light colored car. The scratches in the dark ones sure stand out.
 
I had a 2003 4Runner that had poor paint like my 2006 Prius. There were chips in the paint on the mirrors from bugs. My 2001 Toyota Sequoia has a great paint job - good thick clearcoat - no problem with it.
 
I do recommend a product called Liquid Glass. It seems expensive but one pint (~$22.00) might be enough to apply 10 coatings to an average size car. It isn't a wax but acts like one. It's available at some of the auto parts stores like AutoZone. It's easy to apply and bonds to the paint like a clearcoat. Doesn't yellow or crack and provides protection to the car. It's on my Prius now and I wish I had known about it when I bought my car. The more times the paint is treated, the deeper the color gets.
 
Ray

#10 of 38 rose789clocks by rose789clocks

Oct 24, 2007 (4:15 am)

RE: Bugs on front of car. I do collect alot of bugs on the front of my car, but it isn't a problem for me because I buy a package of baby wipes, & they remove the bugs in record time with little effort.
                                 PS. Dollar store has them for a buck.

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