Outrage over friends and family reactions to a "near purchase"

Maybe you should wait for the Mississippi-made Prius, which will make some sort of noise below 20 mph (idling Ferrari?).

 

I'm happy for you. I really hope you end up with one and then stick it in nose of your "friends." Rub it in their face when gas climbs back to 2007 levels. I know that is not the most mature way of breaking Prius stereotypes. Others have mentioned more effective means centered around education and tolerance. But damn it!!! The I-told-you-so-method is so much more satisfying in light of the ribbing you got.

 

One word = Propaganda

/aka Faux News

 

I never got the "gay" taunt, but I do get the "tiny hippy car" thing, though in a good-natured way, from pals and such. Most of them chill out after a ride. There are so many rampant untruths about this car out there that when naysayers take a drive and realize it's a perfectly nice car that just happens to get stellar mpg they change their tune.

Good luck with your future purchase, we are extremely happy with ours and as gas prices continue to climb you'll get less and less flack for it as people realize they are behind the curve.

 

I'm glad to see the OP is going to get to try one for a day. Hopefully that will get his wife and friends to see some of the nicer features of the Prius. Probably not enough to change their opinions, though, a lot of people get their car opinions hijacked by their social circles and the prejudices that develop from uninformed attitudes.

Vic

 

Years ago a republican from MN bought a Prius but did not want to be labeled as a 'hippy' so he put a sticker on the car illustrating a kid peeing on 'OPEC.' Worked for him, apparently he received lots of smiles and hand waves.

The larger point here is to find a way to let the Prius fit in to local culture, and not appear to be a criticism on wheels. Good luck, Coach!

 

The guys never said anything to me and only showed curiosity and wanted specs., etc On the other hand, the ladies just kill me when they say "Oh you car is sooo cute." I just HATE that. I drive an advanced, technologically sophisticated tool, but it is not cute.

 

Looking forward to reading the new thread in regards to this.

 

One tip: Don't try to show off or prove to your friends and family all the good attributes of the Prius. Just try it out for yourself and if it fits what you want and need, then buy it! If it doesn't work out and you don't buy it, either way you've made an informed decision.

Anyone taking bets on which way he goes?

 

I think that's an important thing to remember.

If they don't like the Prius, they can look for something else.

I wonder if they've considered a Smart.

I don't bet on sports.

 

Man, thats a whole bunch of rednecks there.

 

Don't worry, I'm pretty sure he was talking about purchasing a Prius or not.

 

Questions I'm always asked about the Prius:

1. What's the mileage you get?
2. Where do you plug it in? (long explanation required).
3. Isn't it awful small? (I have to explain it's a MID-SIZE, Accord/Altima-class car, I can carry four people and a Costco run with ease ).
4. Aren't you afraid you'll drain the battery? (another long explaination of HSD required).
5. Aren't you afraid of how much it'll cost to replace the battery - I've heard it's THOUSANDS...(no they almost never get replaced - unless I wreck the car, then I'll have bigger problems anyway).

The styling of the Gen 3 is ANYTHING but feminine. There was a certain softness to the Gen 2 that I've always considered kind of nice and bland, but the Gen 3 is wedgy with neat creases and edges that speak to a certain tough aerodynamicism.

I compare them as "Bar of soap" and "Doorstop."

I'm glad you got the extended test drive. Definitely take your partner out and let her drive it for a while. I had to do this to convince me AND my wife that this was the right car for us (we were also considering the Altima 2.5SE, which is the same size, same amenities, same cost, same comfort - 2/3 the mileage. Duh...).

 

I agree with all of this, I get the same questions. I also agree that the Gen2's were very soft looking, I like the wedgier Gen3's with the extra creases and detailing much better.

 

Take her to a gas station...and tell her a fill-up is less than $30, and good for 500+ miles.

 

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I'm an anthropogenic GW denier with a Prius from TX, so I certainly don't fit the mold.