VF, the problem is, that it will be difficult to really 'sway' a person on something like that. If they aren't going to focus on the clean part or the gas issue, it isn't going to be a 'seller' in general. As much as you might not want to go with the waste that the Challenger might bring with gas and carbon foot print, the old statement is that there will always be regrets. All you can do is just put a voice of reason, but in the end, it still is his decision. As much as it pains you, the importance is that once all is said and done, let it go. You may not like the decision, but in the end, it is his decision. The one thing you can stress is, "It's your decision, hon... I told you my opinion and my feelings." And if he bites back at saying, "Why didn't you talk me out of it?" later on, you calmly point out you did. The thing to note it is about hubris... Everyone has to learn from their own decisions, both good and bad. While you may not like his decision, it isn't "world ending" and it can be 'fixed' later. The best thing is just let him understand it himself after all is said and done.
I never meant to suggest that your relationship isn't real or concrete. But you used the phrase "Practically Married". To me? That's like saying "Semi-Pregnant"... You may be insulted...but the truth is whether your relationship is close, distant, solid, or unsolid...the truth is you are NOT married. And even if you think there are no appreciable personal differences, there are "legal" differences. Especially when you are talking vehicles bought with "Boyfriends" money...and "Boyfriends" inheritance. And every Boyfriend/Girlfriend think their relationship is golden and will last forever...until that day it doesn't. Am I familar with the intimate and personal parameters of your relationship? No. Do I want to be? No. Do I need to be? No. But if your Boyfriend can decide he'd rather have a Charger than a Prius? You can write a fictional story line that leads to him someday dating a "Brittany" instead of a "Vegan Flower". Hey, it happens. Also if I'm reading NOT so much between the lines, it certainly seems you have philosophical and tangible conflicts and differences already. I mean if you need a 40+ post thread to try to help you convince your boyfriend of something....that perhaps you shouldn't even be trying to convince him of in the first place? I'm going to go out on a limb and say you aren't matched on 40 layers of compatibility. I'm sure I've further insulted you. But I sincerely wish you luck, and harmonious resolution and existence... But when you ask for open advice? When you define yourself as someone who "doesn't like to lose"...and then further use phrases like "He Played The Money Card".... Well?- Invite me to your wedding...I'd love to tie some tin cans to the back of that Charger.....If I write small enough I think I can put "Just Married" on the small rear window.....
Why not try to find some middle ground? The Focus, Elantra, etc. may be a good compromise in the situation. They're between on MPG and also between on the power/fun/looks aspects. Typically when you have people at 2 opposite ends of a spectrum, the middle ground is a good end point. If you want to go really extreme, ALL cars are wasteful and create pollution into the environment. Good old man-power (or woman-power) is the best option in that regard.
Don't worry VF. You have to remember that in his 3 years and 3000 posts, The Electric Me has never owned a Prius. He isn't one of us.
Thank you MacMaster05. We were just talking in the bedroom before we got up to leave and he's already having doubts about even purchasing the car. From the car shark to the down payment he's already finding ways to stall. I know my man and he's done this with other big things before. Hope that the test drive today will push him towards the prius.
Yeah, but Vegan Flower and her Boyfriend don't own a Prius either... At least I own a Fit and not a Dodge Charger....If I'm not one of you..what does that make a Dodge Charger driver? My Fit at least has an instantaneous MPG gauge....and a similar body style to the Prius c.... The Dodge Charger? Has The Duke Boys sliding over the hood to escape Sheriff Hogg... I can pulse and glide with my Fit....You are legally obligated to try and jump a river with a Dodge Charger.
LOL, I am new here so I won't dare. But looking at his stats, I guess I can see now why he has no friends. Most with 3,000+ posts seem to have at least one... Just joking around so don't hold it against me!
Great idea! Now where could VeganFlower go to find a bunch of guys who own Priuses? Hmmmm? I bet if she found such a place, the Prius guys would be on her like white on rice!
Friends? I don't need no stinkin friends! No behind the scenes allegiances...no secret handshakes... Who do I trust? I trust me! What you lookin' at? You are all scared. You know why? You don't have the guts to be what you wanna be. You need people like me. You need people like me so you can point your hybrid fingers and say, "That's the bad guy." So... what that make you? Good? You're not good. You just know how to hide, how to lie. Me, I don't have that problem. Me, I always tell the truth. Even when I lie. So say good night to the Honda Fit Driving bad guy! Come on. The last time you gonna see a bad guy like this again, let me tell you. Come on. Make way for the bad guy. There's a bad guy comin' through! Better get out of his way!
Lemme derail this thread a little further. Electric I think your confusing the Charger with the Challenger. The Charger is a four door and the Challenger is a Coupe. Posted from my iPhone via the Tapatalk app.
I probably am....I knew I should of watched more Dukes of Hazzard...so much to learn from that series...
OT but, you are wrong about manuals. Manuals are more efficient, whatever the ratings say. Automatics are tuned to the cycles, but in the real world the higher inherent efficiency and the ability to choose the gearing makes manuals better. Automatics would be closer if more of them were automated manuals, but Americans generally prefer the smoother slushbox or CVT. The only reason a manual would be less efficient is because it's geared for boy racers. The 90% are paying twice over: first a large profit margin on the transmission and then with extra gas every mile. :focus: OP: Don't kid yourself: until you're married you are just two people who are currently pooling money. If you both really wanted to get married you could do it any time. Marriage is cheap: it's just big weddings that are expensive. So he can get what he wants with it, BUT, you can remind him that his money (after tax of course) needs to pay not just for the car, but the TCO. Or at least the difference in TCO. If that's a potential issue, I'd suggest crunching numbers with him to make sure that you'll not be paying for his toy. If you were married it'd be different: you could tell him to stop being such a spendthrift.
After reading through the 56 posts...... Veganflower - I understand why you are "sensitive" about the marriage thing. One doesn't need to be married to have a solid, longterm relationship. I've known more than one couple that are happily together with nothing more than a relationship or even an engagement ring with no plans of actually HAVING a wedding. But, I will also state that theElectricMe has a point. Simply put, if your boyfriend buys a car, and 3 months from now, you two are no longer a couple, he's is going to keep the car. There is no legally binding contract like a marriage in place (unless you qualify as domestic partners). This is why he should get the car he wants. He will have to live with it. I applaud you for trying encourage him in getting a car that minimizes his environmental impact AND minimizes expenses. Hopefully, he'll see that a car is more an appliance that gets you from point A to point B rather than an extension of his personality (as car advertisers would try to convince you).
Ditto, there! I'm friendless (and Priusless) still. But mine is *supposed* to be crossing the ocean soon.
Manuals are only as efficient as the driver in question. However, those who take the time to learn manual, will also be able to shift at more appropriate times, often times doing better with fuel efficiency. Car fanatics find manual drive a bit more fun as they have control when there is torque. I will say with the Prius CVT and having an old Automatic, I was used to when the gears change, the CVT, you don't feel the transitions at all, so it is often times hard to tell when you need to give the system a chance to shift, as CVT don't shift.
If you are hot and will start to eat meat I will marry you. he will buy the charger and regret it soon enough and loose 5 to 7 grand when he trades it in on the prius. because it sucks up so much gas and you are pissed every time you get in the car.
