Why do people want me to "justify" such a purchase?

Off hand, I suspect that is exactly what they want to hear.

 

Mmm, I hope you don't think I'm one of the people who has been giving you a hard time . My comments are always designed to be constructive. Anyway, I've had /lots/ of people criticize my decision to convert my car saying that it's not economically feasible or viable. But I simply point out exactly what you said--people drop far more money on far less useful / beneficial things such as leather seats, sun roofs and modified exhausts. Those things don't even have the ability to pay themselves off over time.

Additionally, I bought my car as an insurance salvage from AutoBeYours in professionally restored condition--so it was actually cheaper for me to buy my car and add in the PICC conversion system than it was to buy a brand new car with all the bells and whistles (mine is a fully loaded package that I got for less than half the original retail value). I also tell people that .

Incidentally I would highly recommend you check out AutoBeYours (www.autobeyours.com) before making your decision about buying a new car / system since an insurance rebuild car can make things significantly more affordable (and I can vouch for the work they do--I haven't had any problems with my car since I got it and Steve Woodruff over there is always very helpful if I have questions).

EDIT: Looks like AutoBeYours is selling a PICC converted 2008 with 20k miles loaded Prius for $23k. Might want to check it out?

Andrew

 

How is the PICC working out, Andrew ?

 

@Adric,

Not bad at all--good price and looks like a good car =). I think both Hymotion and PICC have installers somewhere around your location but I can't be sure. I'm afraid I don't know if Plugin Supply has an installer around you. You might try contacting the various conversion companies to see if you can arrange a test drive with a local installer?...

@Sage,

Personally I really like the PICC system because it allows me to drive the car like a normal gas car and still get well over 100 MPG on trips under 25 miles--with the option of longer range modes for long trips and such. All I have to do is drive (and remember to plug the car in), everything else is automatic and seamless.

I certainly can't say the system is for everyone given the cost but I've been very happy with it as it's done exactly what it's suppose to thus far. I just plug the car in every night and it takes care of the rest.

Andrew

 

Hmmm, I was pretty sure that PICC at least had something / someone out in that area. I guess you can try calling them and see what they recommend. I don't think they'd let you install it yourself for warranty / liability reasons but they may send someone out to you to assist in the installation.

Andrew

 

You are wording it wrong, tell them "For the same reason a dog licks it's -----" Exact same message, but they are less likely to continue questioning you.

 

with any alternative power product, naive people assume your going to make your money back and then some. they are all naysayers who think we just have to continue down the fossil fuel path. you think ford and edison and einstein didn't get the same questions? why did we go to the moon? a million reasons and no reason at all.naysayers, where would we be without them?

 

At least i don't have that problem, at $7 a gallon I KNOW a PHEV will save me money.

 

Don't do it. It's your choice and every one has to accept it.

 

Ask them to justify their SUV purchase. You win, 99.99999999% of the time.

 

You don't have to be the recipient of the questions in these discussions. Ask them some questions that make them have to think. Examples:

1. I'm getting ready for $5/gallon gas. How much does gas have to cost to get you thinking differently? (They will not be ready for that.)

2. Because I cannot buy an Electric Vehicle yet. (That will cause them to hesitate for a second, usually.)

3. I'm doubling the life of the car, so that's a real spreadsheet changer.

Be clever. You have so much ammunition.

 

You know, I had overlooked this brilliant observation. I had done a spreadsheet cost comparison http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-prius-phv-plug-in/83135-anticipated-price-2012-phv-prius-8.html and found that the price of gasoline was really the only factor concerning payback. It would have to get to around $4 or $5 for a reasonable payback period.

BUT, if you can make a 10-year car last into a 20-year car, that really does swing the spreadsheet. Of course, the savings payback wouldn't start kicking in until after 10 years of use, at which time you'd be buying a new battery instead of a new car.

As an aside, the best transportation value has been the 1985 Honda Rebel I bought back in 1986. I went 90K miles, and really saved the price of a car, and that gets added to the very low maintenance cost, didn't have to have expensive insurance for a low-priced motorcycle, and of course 70 mpg fuel usage. (The downside of course would be rain, snow, sleet, ice and COLD if you're up north.)

 

Anyone find it strange that gearheads are not questioned if they saved enough time to justify their speed mods?

 

Tell them you're doing it because you're serious about your patriotism and you decided that those little yellow magnets weren't enough any more. :usa2: If they continue, you can add that you can afford it, and you think your country is worth spending money on.

 

Many people are still ignorant about the nature of a stock Prius. I was semi-bragging about my mileage on a trip to Denver, and my sister-in-law asked how much my electrical bill had gone up.

I imagine it would be impossible to explain a factory PHEV, and an aftermarket one would be just impossible.

 

You're one of the lucky ones. After replacing the Camry with a 2010 Prius, the wife was asked by her close friend why she did not worry about the risk of death from "those cars". You can't explain the sanity, she can't explain the insanity.