I have decided its time!! I have had my Prius since October and I have decided to pay a body shop to pull the spoiler and fill the holes.<br><br>the trunk has a very nice design and the angle of the back window to the trunk is disturbed by the big ugly spoiler

Sure you want to upset the air in the rear of the car and possibly lower the value of the FIRST Prius to enter our shores? Just curious.<br><br>-Michael

Just courious as to why it is so important to see where you have been instead of where you are going?

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation Prius in Japan had no spoilers. Just look at www.toyota.co.jp and navigate the best you can through the japanese. <br><br>When this car came to the states they threw on a spoiler because this country likes cheap accessories.<br><br>This car is only $20,000, I think by the time I sell it, the value will be the same as yours, or any other $20,000 Japanese compact car. I am keeping this model for a long time, not because its the first Prius or because of its technology. I am keeping this car because its cheep, gets good gas milage, and the design is modern with the exception of the spoiler. <br><br>So for me to enjoy my Prius for the next 6-8 years, I am axing the spoiler NOW!

Just a thought...<br><br>I recall seeing something that the spoiler was put on the car because it gave it a few extra mpg. (It may have been in an early post from priusman or ee of ee.)

Actually, one of the Toyota people who post to this list explained that the spoiler gives a measurable improvement in fuel economy. So it's not just a cheap accessory to appeal to American philistines...<br><br>Too bad Yahoo! Clubs doesn't have a search engine or you could find that post quickly.<br><br>--gc

Message 2106 details the history on the u.s. spoiler. Note there's only been 2 generations of the car til now the '98-'00MY cars built from 12/97 til 3/00 and the current generation 01MY car which had a SOP (start of production) in may '00.

I recall reading a message from someone who did remove the spoiler and found that it had no affect on mileage. The author of the message even supplied instructions on how to do it yourself. Unfortunately, the message appeared a few months ago and I can't find it. <br><br>The message indicated that mileage was not affected at freeway speeds by the spoiler removal. This contradicts other messages indicating that the spoiler was added by Toyota to improve mileage in freeway driving.<br><br>I am also thinking of removing the spoiler, but I'm not sure I want to pay a body shop to plug the holes.<br><br>G.

Yes, a few months ago, someone claimed that removing the spoiler didn't affect mileage. However, Priusman (or ee_of_ee) stated here that according to the chief engineer the spoiler improves mileage by one or two mpg. I submit...unless you have a wind-tunnel in your garage you're not going to be able to measure any effect of the spoiler. I'm leaving it on.<br><br>The best argument I've heard to remove the rear spoiler is to improve vision when backing up. If you're seriously concerned about running over your kid's bicycle, by all means remove the spoiler.

Funny, I bought the car because of it's high technology, low emissions and cool innovations! $40 grand (actual cost for Toyota to build) would have still been a bargain! Mileage? Mid 40s avg mpg is not THAT far ahead of many gasoline-only cars already getting upwards of 40+ on the highway. I can only assume the freshest automotive design in 50 years doesn't pull that much weight in your neck of the woods. Yep, I think I'll trust Toyota engineering and keep the original equipment spoiler intact on my Super White. After all, a stock 1964 1/2 Mustang holds more value today than one with any kind of modifications. <br><br>-Michael<br><br>p.s. Am I the only Prius owner having no problems whatsoever seeing out of the back window? I mean, this is NO Camry!

In Message 3941 busterbo2001 asked:<br>&gt; p.s. Am I the only Prius owner having no <br>&gt; problems whatsoever seeing out of the back <br>&gt; window? <br>I don't have any problems either. I might remove the rear headrests to see better but it's not bad at all right now.<br><br>Bill Powell<br>(Prius: Just Drive It!)

When in Dallas, as I was in the bumper to bumper traffic, I would leave me a fair amount of space between me and the car in front of me. Then keeping one eye on the rear view mirror, the other on the car before me.... <br><br>I have saved my car with this about 20 times... the car driver mis-judges the distance, I hear screeching tires... see the panic in their face... and just as it looks like I will get hit... I move up 5+ feet.... They miss me by a foot... maybe less<br><br>I have gotten the finger twice because of this.. and don't know why. But I have, "knock on wood", not been rear ended... now with this said.. monday I will get hit in Austin.<br><br>So I like a good, clear view out the rear of the car, Even have the side mirrors set to see the cars next to me in the other lanes to remove the "Blind Spot".

The original statement was that the spoiler improved efficiency by 2-3 mpg. Recently I spoke with a Toyota Prius engineer and he said the same; on the other hand, he admitted that he'd not seen any data. If he can get it, I will report on it. I have repeated the experiment twice now, and would have readily detected a 3 mpg change. A 1 to 2 mpg change would be hard to verify, but I have seen no change at all.<br><br>Driving "hard" or "sportily" vs. "conservatively" or "thoughtfully" makes a very noticeable 4 to 5 mpg change.<br><br>These tests take a long time as I do each for at least three full tanks of gas and I drive less than 10,000 miles per year. For example, three tanks with the spoiler on, then three with it off and so forth.

I cover the holes with adhesive-backed semi rigid plastic that matches the color of my car (white) when the spoiler is off. The tape is almost unnoticeable. It is easy to reinstall the spoiler for that like-new look. Two clips, two bolts, and some double-sided tape.