Just wanted to share what I’ve noticed. The paint on newer cars, not just Toyotas, seems way worse than before. Meanwhile, the prices keep going up. If you want good paint protection now, you have to spend more on things like ceramic coating or paint film. Maybe I’m just unlucky with my new Toyota, but the paint sure doesn’t feel like what it used to be ten years ago.
Quick history of my Toyota cars:
1995 Tacoma (gave it away at 225K miles)
1999 Tacoma PreRunner (gave it away at 350K miles)
2005 Camry LE (still have it, stays outside)
2025 Prius LE (main car, stays in garage)
Here’s the weird part — I’ve already used more touch-up paint on this 2025 Prius than I ever did across all those other cars put together. And of course, the basic warranty doesn’t help at all with paint issues. With my older Toyotas, I didn’t even think of paying for any extra coating. A little care and waxing did the job fine. Paint chips were super rare.
Now with this new Prius? I’ve already fixed five paint chips. And I barely drive it. It stays in my garage most of the time. And I don’t use the freeway much either. This new eco-friendly paint just doesn’t hold up. The chips are showing up not just on the hood, but on the sides where little rocks hit from the tires.
I told my neighbor — who also just got a 2025 Camry LE from the same dealership — and he thought I was overthinking. But when I showed him the paint chips on his car, he was surprised. He thought they were just dirt. But no, they were small chips showing the grey primer underneath. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. He also tried to ask the dealership about it, but they said the same thing — cosmetic damage isn’t covered.
Here’s the wildest part. Right before I got the keys to my new Prius, a guy at the dealership who was detailing it told me: “Buy some touch-up paint. You’ll need it.” That kind of honesty was helpful but also kind of sad. Anyway, just something to think about if you’re getting a new Toyota.
They’re out here repainting some old cars for free like they did with the Tacoma frame recall. Me, I just accept that cars used outside won’t stay perfect.
Haris said:
They’re out here repainting some old cars for free like they did with the Tacoma frame recall. Me, I just accept that cars used outside won’t stay perfect.
Mine stays in the living room so it never gets a scratch
Haris said:
They’re out here repainting some old cars for free like they did with the Tacoma frame recall. Me, I just accept that cars used outside won’t stay perfect.
Totally fair — cars are meant to be used. But my issue is that my brand new Prius has taken more paint damage in just half a year than all my older Toyotas put together. And I’ve actually treated this car better than the others.
Cassian said: @LyamGenesis
My 2017 Prius has it bad too. The clear coat on the roof peeled fast. I heard they mixed the white paint wrong too on some models.
Seems like this is happening with a lot of brands now: