Hi merchant9,

I can fully appreciate your concerns as purchasing a car is a very significant investment, more so in Malaysia due to the high cost. The problem with asking for opinions on any model of car is the same wherever you go: ask ten people their opinion, and you will likely end up with 11 different answers

My decision to go for the Prius C was based on several factors:

1. It's a Toyota, and they have a decent reputation.
2. It's (at the moment, anyway) CBU, so hopefully it is better assembled.
3. Were it not for the government incentive, this is essentially a RM150K+ car (in Malaysia, anyway.) Malaysia may be quite unique at the moment in that we're the only country where a hybrid is cheaper than the non-hybrid model.
4. All of the glowing reports from the many happy owners around the world (and yes, I read all the negative ones as well.)
5. All of the performance figures were acceptable to me.
6. 7 airbags! Woo!

As for your questions on upgrades, it is important to remember the Prius C is a relatively new car, and as such the availability of upgrades and bolt-on goodies are a bit limited locally. As it is the second highest selling car in Japan, the market there is booming with accessories, it will just take a little time to reach our shores. I am more than happy to wait.

To answer your questions as best as I can:

1. Tinting options are the same as any car in Malaysia, from utter rubbish to ohmygodthatsexpensive.

2. I've only seen one company advertising leather interior upgrades, and at the time they did not list the Prius C.

3. I've seen Prius C body kits advertised between RM1600 to over 6K, but cannot comment on quality of the product.

4. Many report that the OEM DVD-AVN option from Toyota is problematic (it is the same model used on several different Toyota models, not specific to the Prius C) and I feel it is overpriced.

As far as warranty is concerned, according to the sales assistant I spoke with, just about any change/addition can void the warranty. Changing the rims would void the suspension warranty, installing window visors would void the door warranty... You get the idea. It seems that the general practice is to either have them installed by the service centre or to remove them when servicing the car or claiming any warranty. Naturally that isn't always going to be possible/practical, and some things don't effect the warranty (I doubt adding floor mats is going to effect the chassis warranty!)

Anyway, enough rambling. I hope you will be happy with whatever car you choose. Good luck!

Good sharing!!

An add on, Prius C has VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) which Vios and Camry don't have. Yes, ALL Camry spec also don't have. Only Honda Accord highest spec has it. VSC/ESP/VSA is a mandatory equipment for new car in US now.

Paultan: ESP is a must!

Did u install it at Kajang? I ordered from one mudah seller from Kajang, same price. But my car still not here.. so cant see the effect.

Last time I only tried 60KM, then went to pump fuel, didn't dare to go further   

no offence guys, i still like the ori PC...haha... i have the feeling of install the 3m sound proof but it will void warranty right?

did a crazy thing today with my pc, i drove it until no petrol!

985KM full tank! i think should be able to achive above 1000km, with this tank of petrol, that's few days i stucked in traffic jam for total 5 hours due to smart tunel closure, and some days i did not drive in a econimic ways. so next time i will try 1k.

when pc out of petrol, the battery will still work, until the battery left 2 bars, your car will show "power on" means the car in accessories mode. that moment when i pressed the pedal but the car no longer got power, it only can drive slow with the battery support. lucky the petrol station just 500meter away from my stop  points. i switch on my emergency light, and i notice i cannot lock my car.... it need me to total switch off the car in order to lock it. for safety reason, i have to let the car unlock and walk to the petrol station.

i remember someone said need to fill in at least 4 litre in order for the car to start, but i only fill in less than 1.5 liters, my car back alive.

from my testing, from the car start last petrol bar warning beep until the car stop, i drove 12xkm. so guys, take note ya... i can said im lucky for this crazy work....

do u guys wax your PC? hmm i have a offer from my car washing shop, some kind of wax, can last for 3 months, at least. Even you use chemical to wash your car, still can last few times. cost about RM120. polish before this can get better result. product from US. what u guys think, shud i try it? heard this before?

New car no need to wax la , just do paint sealant will do .

do u guys wax your PC? hmm i have a offer from my car washing shop, some kind of wax, can last for 3 months, at least. Even you use chemical to wash your car, still can last few times. cost about RM120. polish before this can get better result. product from US. what u guys think, shud i try it? heard this before?

I brought my car to car wash, the person said new car no need sealant wor

do u guys wax your PC? hmm i have a offer from my car washing shop, some kind of wax, can last for 3 months, at least. Even you use chemical to wash your car, still can last few times. cost about RM120. polish before this can get better result. product from US. what u guys think, shud i try it? heard this before?