Arguments for superiority of hybrids

Just what I have read here. Talk to GrumpyCabbie about the steering.

 

Have them estimate what fuel prices are going to do, by year, and compute monthly costs. That did it for me.

 

Not all hybrids are 'superior. That's why the original Accord hybrid died. That's why Gen II honda insight sales are tepid. Same with the massive land barge lexus hybrids. "Superior" is in the eye of the beholder ... based on their creature comfort needs, versus budget.
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Not too hard, show them your gas receipts and take them for a ride. That's what I did yesterday and now, may have a couple of friends that are converts.

 

Well it did beat my V10 PU for TOC...which is why I bought the Prius. Actually in this extreme example, the Prius TOC was less than the gas alone for the paid off truck. Some of us need more than one type vehicle though.

 

I am trading in my 2007 Prius for a 2014 Prius. I have liked my Prius for the past seven years, or of course I wouldn't be getting another one. But when looking at a car, the fact that it is a hybrid (i.e. good gas mileage and low emissions) is just one part of the car. I think one has to look at the overall car - hybrid vs. non-hybrid, how it drives, how comfortable is it, how roomy is it, reliability, price, features, etc. So for me, while the hybrid is a big part of a Prius (or any hybrid car for that matter) there are many other considerations too. Just the fact that it was a hybrid wasn't enough. For me, the Prius pretty much ticks all the boxes of what I look for in a car. When talking to others about a hybrid car, there is much more to talk about than just the fact that it is a hybrid.

 

Um, yeah, hybrids are superior .... that's why they have 3% market share of all cars, light trucks and SUV sales any given month ...

Oh brother. A lot of people just don't want a Prius. They don't like the shape of it and many certainly don't like the Star Trek type interior. IMO, Toyota took it too far going for the oddball interior that is so different than most other sedans on the market. Obviously in Japan they've been been all hot for the Prius interior, not as much here in US.

Far as Camry, Fusion hybrids and all .... customter look at the higher price tag, then mosey to the trunk to find it much smaller, then walk away.

Consumers look for the best value in a vehicle, and gasoline tends not be a major expense for many, so they buy conventionals.

Good luck trying to make the general public all scared about global warming and make 'em think they should buy a hybrid to help save the planet. Doesn't work for most people.

 

You're entitled as is everyone, to your own opinion about vehicle ownership, and what priorities to apply to vehicle ownership.

But the truth I believe is, you won't win over a Non-Hybrid driver, if you approach them with the attitude that your Hybrid, Prius or otherwise is simply a more enlightened choice and then clearly insult them by suggesting they aren't thinking intelligently about "what a car is".

Yes, I personally think a Prius...and/or a hybrid is a great choice for numerous reasons.

But perhaps because for most of my life I have been a regular ICE vehicle owner and operator, and since I also realize that we still are existing in an energy economy, any argument advanced personally by me for the "superiority" of a Prius or Hybrid only paints me as the superficial "smug" stereotype of a Prius Owner that I think is invalid. I'm NOT going to play that role.

If anyone asks, friends or otherwise, I'll let The Prius speak for itself. In other words?
I'm not saying it's superior to anything else...BUT...

I bet it gets better gas mileage than your vehicle.
I bet it's quieter.
I bet it's smoother and more refined in operation.

Being a Prius? My guess is in 5 years I will have had less maintenance issues with it, than you potentially have had with your vehicle.

If the individual wants to come to their own conclusion that this makes my Prius superior to whatever they are choosing to drive? Then good for them.

But....if they want to jump in their v-8 Diesel Ram Pick-Up and go pull a log cabin out of a stream? Good for them.

Superiority is in the eye of the beholder.

 

nutdriver...before someone less polite than myself gets a hold of you, please take a deep breath and relax. The way you express your superior stance against anything not hybrid is what continues to reflect bad toward influencing people to make positive consideration of alternative vehicles. Hybrid owners are still trying to recover from the South Park "Smug Alert" episode, let alone the whole Green Peace, Liberal, MSNBC associations. People have argued countless times over the pros and cons of owning a hybrid, but anyone who comes off condescending, and quite frankly rude as you have, will loose regardless what side they take. Whether you think the hybrid is superior really doesn't matter if no one wants to listen to you. You will find a hybrid friendly following on this site, but life is not one sided. Who are you to dictate why I or anyone else should or should not buy a hybrid. Remember the old saying you catch more flies with honey?

My intent here is not to offend or otherwise step on you, just some friendly advice.

 

Until you change the public's perception of hybrid owners it going to be an uphill battle.

 

Nudriver, your attitude is not going to win anyone over.
If someone doesn't care about saving money on gas or on being kinder to the environment there's very little other reason to buy a hybrid.

Many people here talk of the benefits of the Prius rather than hybrids for a couple of reasons.
First this is a Prius chat forum so most people are more familiar with the Prius than another hybrid.
Second, if you're trying to form a pro argument, typically you want to use the best example. And in my opinion Prius is one of the best examples available.

One tactic you may want to try is to not ask them how much a gallon of gas costs. Instead ask them how much money they spend in the year on gasoline.
If they drive 12,000 miles a year, and get 24 miles per gallon, that's 500 gallons of gas a year. It adds up to pretty respectable numbers.

Or, you can attack their $10,000 more expensive argument. Make sure to compare cars with equal room, options, etc. While there may be a difference in price it isn't $10,000.

 

The Prius is the poster child of hybrids.

 

Prius really shines not only around town, but also on the interstate in stop and go traffic! When traffic is moving on the interstate, cruise control is used and fuel consumption is good. I used the well engineered Prius for a DD, carrying passengers, dogs, lumber, bricks, paint, plumbing, electrical supplies.

The only down fall is I have to remember for heavier, bulkier items: use the truck.

I get reminded of that from my better half.

DBCassidy

 

...it takes more resources to make a hybrid so more cost.
If you drive a hybrid enough, you are presumably saving enough fuel to offset the extra rare earths, etc. It's a judgement call at best.

Many people all sides tend to judge the Prius in particular wins as an overall efficiency vehicle if you drive it enough. Most everyone agrees with energy efficiency: repubs, dems, liberals, conservatives, consumers, companies, we all like better efficiency.

It's only when we start discussing who we think the energy source winners and losers should be that we start getting into serious disagreements.

 

$.08 a mile is a pretty solid argument.

 

So much for being nice.

 

Saw a bumper sticker on a big pickup with big tires the other day: "Sucking gas and hauling nice person." Couldn't see the driver, but it was most likely a 20-something man on the smaller end of the height spectrum. I'm thinking this is not a person I want to discuss the merits of hybrids with.