How did you first end up at PriusChat?

I wound up here after my Mazda was totaled, looking for a replacement, Prius was on my list, but Fit was my first choice. The day we went to look at the three on my list, the Toyota dealer was the closest so we stopped there and after a drive, we were hooked. There is more helpful info here than any other site I've joined, maybe that's because there's so much to learn about the Prius. I now have a C-Max Energi and I can't find a forum anywhere for the C-Max with activity like I find here. Still have the Prius.

 

Now you’re on a roll.....


iPad ?

 

We got our first Prius (two of them, actually) just over three years ago. Todd at Tampa Hybrids recommended the site. I would pop in now and then for some research but didn't join until a year ago. My first thread was the day I got the PiP last Dec. 26. What an amazing storehouse of information this is, here!

 

Nope, just channeling Gertrude Stein, without the Alice B. Toklas brownies (alas, I live in Texas).

 

This is back nearly 50 years, the good ol' days:

'58 Volkwagen Beetle Owner's Manual | PriusChat

 

Well you'll never be a lone Star on here!

 

For me it started around July of 2015. I knew by years end that I needed car payments for a business write off or I was going to owe a lot in taxes. I also wanted something with excellent gas mileage. So, I "googled" Prius, and I saw the Priuschat link. I read a lot of the site and really came to like the people in the site. The modders blew my mind. Never thought I would see a Prius tricked out! All my questions were answered about the Prius by just reading through the site. So, I bought mine a new 2015 model at the end of August 2015, officialy joined Priuschat and went to my first Priuschat get together back in June.

 

'i took a left at greenland.'

 

Still love your picture!!

 

Does that mean the Lexus has been sold ?

 

Not yet, still working on it.

 

Why am I still here?

Maybe I don't have good answer for that.
I feel my now many years of participation in Prius Chat, and my years of owning a Prius, still leaves me with more knowledge about Prius than the average person.
Most of the questions asked by Newbies...are questions I feel often are more opinion based that actual tangible fact based. I feel I can give good answers to many questions...or at least good opinions. If it's something more technical, or needing the advice of experience...this forum is not in short supply of people able to give that advice and knowledge. I'll step aside and let those regulars lead in those threads.
But as things progress, my familiarity and knowledge lessens. I have no experience outside of what I read here, with the Prime, and the latest generation Prius.

Why am I still here?
Maybe ultimately why I visit any forum or discussion site. I find the conversation relaxing. It's become habit to check in at Prius Chat and see what new news may be coming from Prius Owners, or Toyota.

I do feel some of my participation is naturally starting to limit itself. I can't really give hands on opinions about owning a 4th Gen Prius.
But there is still Freds House of Pancakes.....plenty of Prius conversation I still feel confident in joining.

It does seem there is less conversation than there use to be about Toyota or the automobile industry as a whole. Or maybe most of that has been dominated by the emergence of Tesla.

I like efficiency. It's what drew me to Hybrids and Prius. Even though I no longer own one, I still champion Prius, and alternate automobiles.
This is a great place to keep your finger on the pulse of news in that arena.

Although, I now often feel like Steve McQueen at the end of the Movie Papillon, floating on the sea of Prius Chat holding on to a loosely strapped together make shift raft and saying to to the Prius Chat Blue Sky...." Hey You Bastards! I'm Still Here!".

 

What brought me to PC? Had a friend with a 2007 that got my initial interest. Rode as a passenger a couple times and observed the various functions. Then I got a job with a daily 140 mile commute, so I found a used 2008 to drive. Joined PC the same day and studied the Gen II thread for a week. Three years later traded it in just shy of the 200K mark on a 2011. Still driving that, currently a little over 150K. Came for the troubleshooting, stayed for the friendship.

 

Actually there is no wrong answer as the question was to suggest introspection which may be a good thing.

Prius technology does not remain fixed but changes over time and there are multiple implementations. In my case, I avoid following models that I don't own because I can too easily go down a wrong, technical path.

So recently I was asked to consult on a Gen-2 problem and since I'm in the area, it makes sense. It won't be the first time I've done a 'house call'. But a house call is different from posting a theory, speculation, removed from the reality of the hardware and software being 'in my hands' even if not mine. But this is my practice and no moral imperative for others.

There is a lot to learn at PriusChat just reading the various threads, ask @bisco. There is also a chance to offer another point of view including the short comings, ask @cycledrum. Then there is the legacy of Prius owner surveys that we may be brighter than the average bear, well off, and mostly harmless, ask @tochatihu.

One reason I asked 'Why are you still here?' was to find out if the new ride, communities might have a problem. When I visited Fred's TDI Club, I noticed they had clueful minority but a much larger population of 'chip on shoulder' owners. It is like reading the commercial 'automotive press' more or less.

So think of the question as chance to 'contemplate' without any judgement right or wrong. Just a chance to think about whether time spent at PriusChat has value and what it might be.

Bob Wilson

 

I decided one day to start shopping for a sedan in 2014 - something to use for commuting/business. Initially I was seriously considering a Cadillac XTS (aka "Old man's car"). For whatever reason, it suddenly occurred to me that spending over 60K on a gas guzzler was not what I wanted to do.

Having readjusted my criteria, I eventually arrived at the Toyota site and started to consider an Avalon hybrid. As I started researching the Avalon, I noticed the Prius. It seemed like a really decent vehicle for the money, and more in line with what I really needed. After locating a model with the options I wanted in a nearby dealer, then taking a test drive, I bought it.

Fast forward to me reading through my manual, and several question coming to mind, lead me to search online for answers. That's when I found PRIUSchat. I saw how well laid-out and active this site was, and decided to join. I introduced myself and joined the family.

 

But the past? Pretty much remains static.
Which means I feel pretty confident answering most questions about Gen 2 Prius.

And since the answer to nearly EVERY question is "Check Your 12 Volt Battery". It's pretty easy.

 

You have to compete with @bisco though.

 

I thought the "ask @bisco " was the title of a phone in TV show. You just never know with these multifaceted PC members!

 

I got here shortly after purchasing our first used Prius a couple of years ago. I was searching for a little more information about the car as an owner and I didn't want to wait until I ran into a problem and then find a good place to ask. Having been a member of a good Nissan forum (our previous car) I knew what a good forum community can mean to an owner. I'm still here, obviously, because I'm still learning about the car and I really like the community here.
owner
Even though I'm no longer a Nissan owner I am still an active member over there, too. They have a much better "non-car" section than we have here. I don't venture into the car sections as often any more but we have some great discussions among people of varying opinions in the political section without anyone getting petty or insulting. With specialized areas for discussing music, science, home repairs, etc. it's more than just a car site.

I do venture into the car area from time to time over there but it's usually
1. to comment about the particular Nissan I used to own, or
2. a reference about the Prius is warranted. There are still a ton of misconceptions and lack of information about the Prii on other car sites.