I keep adding new configurations in the configurator as I continue to research and decide whether I want a MINI (increase my gas mileage by 50%, have fun, be frustrated with all the design quirks) or a Pruis (double my gas mileage, more space, no lumbar support in the seats, ride higher), and I'm also going back and forth between Nightfire Red and Lightning Blue. I'm thinking of doing the striping, but with the Sport Stripes and the Roof Stripes, not the Bonnet Stripes. But if I go with Lightning Blue, there is no blue in the roof stripes. Would that be possible, and if so, how?

 

you would more than likely have to do it after you get the car at a local vinyl shop. you can ask the dealer to do it, but at least where i live they just sub contract it. might as well get it done myself. i have the same issue because my mini is MY/B so i wanted to get sports stripes in body color on my roof.

 

Think through your priorities. The only real similarities between your two options are they have 4 wheels. Yes the Prius is green and made by Toyota, but it does not return any driving fun, except when passing a gas station.

What do you want the car for?? I have never seen stripes on any Prius--hood, trunk or roof!

 

The Prius is an appliance.

 

Check with your dealer. They can probably add whatever stripes you want before you pick up the car. That's what I'm having done. I'm getting black viper stripes on the bonnet, dark silver stripes on the roof, and black stripes on the boot. The stripes will go from bumper to bumper with no break...all for around $300.

 

Aftermarket has a much better selection for less $, but you have to DIY it unless you find someone local who does that type of work.

 

here in South FL we can get it all done for a little less than that. the dealer doesnt have this done themselves they subcontract it out. your best bet may be to go to the people doing it for the dealer directly and may end up saving some money. i live in Miami, FL so there are tons of shops that i can have custom make them for me and they will add them for me. if its more cost effective to have the dealer do it then i say go for it!

 

I'm getting mine done as a package deal, stripes and window tint. It'll be ready for me when I pick it up. BTW, my dealer is in Kansas City and I live in St. Louis. This will save me the hassle of picking up the car and then having to drop it back off at a detail shop for a day or more while they do the work. "The Dude (aka El Dude'erino)" will be finished when I pick him up.

 

The dealer does only sell red, black and white sport stripes, but you can have them custom made to match the color of your MINI at a local vinyl place. That's what we did for my dad's MY/B....

 

Sweet cars!!

Whether the dealer is doing it or subcontracting it out to a detail shop; I'm only working through the dealer. They'll have it ready for me when I pick it up. If there are additional charges, they can't be much. The quote I got from the dealer's "detail manager" are very reasonable. He tells me they can do anything I want to the car. I sent him pictures of what I wanted and he said they'd get it done. I'll pay a little extra for the convenience of not having to take it back in to the shop right after I pick it up.

 

Thanks! We had the dealer do it all as well....told them what we wanted and they had a vinyl shop come to the dealer and install all the stripes there. I just had the stripes on my CR/B finished, so now they go all the way down the car like the MY/B

 

I'm sure that's what my dealer does too. I really like the look of continuous stripes. Very sharp!!

 

I do too, but I think I like blue better than red, at least right now. Thanks for the thoughts.

One other thought: should I buy a MINI, what will stripes do to the resale value or interest, likely 5 or 10 years from now?

 

I would get the stripes from Aesthetic Creations - your color/size options are pretty much limitless and the vinyl is tougher and of much better quality than OEM. I have their sport stripes on my car from floor to floor and will be getting a custom roof graphic from them as well. See my gallery for pics.