Benefits of Prius Ownership?

hi - I'm Karin too!

anyways, I think there is a comparing utility at fueleconomy.gov that should do exactly what you want to show you emisions.

Because i'm feeling useful tonight, heres the stats:

2005 Toyota Prius: 3.5 tons of greenhouse gases per year
2004 Toyota Camry: between 7.0 and 8.1 tons per year (varies with engine)
1995 Toyota Corolla - between 6.3 and 6.9 tons per year (again w/ engine)

So yay - you'd be cutting your emissions about in half - likely better, because the corolla is a 10 year old vehicle

 

Everyone knows the primary reason for having a Prius is because it's a Chick Magnet.

 

http://www.aceee.org/transportation/hybtaxcred.htm
http://www.hybridcars.com/corporate-incentives.html

 

Lord, hang it up man. You can feel smug while I laugh at you.

Really, I just do not understand this attitude...at all. Plenty of people on this board have SUVs (not me actually, but I did).

But, there you go. HGOC. Pretty much says it all.

 

While it was tongue-in-cheek, I think you have a good point Tony.

Not that I think that I am superior to SUV driving persons, but the perk of having only of the most sophisticated cars on the road today, not to mention the cleanest and one of the most fuel efficient. I will admit that it is priceless the shock on people's face when I saw I get between 55 and 60 mpg! Right or wrong, SUV's have become symbolic of American wastefulness in many people's minds (myself included) and I do feel good that I am not contributing to that in my Prius when I see the multiple SUV's with 1 passenger, or for that matter, multiple Hummers.

How much is it worth for someone to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem?

(I'm not saying every SUV owner is part of the problem)

 

Well, I still don't get it. Why would you feel smug that your wife fills up her gas tank more?
I guess the difference between me and *most* people here is I am a CAR guy, not a Green guy. I think the Prius is great and I'm glad we have one. I am all for helping the environment, but it just so happens that cars are a hobby for me. The Prius (at this point) isn't really a hobby car (ok, I should qualify that, it isn't a performance hobby car).

I like to read about all cars, and I do, but my interest is performance cars. I don't feel smug that I can out accelerate a Prius (or anything for that matter), I just enjoy my car and respect that you do the same.

 

So, lets say you have two cars. Lets also say you are fortunate enough to afford a boat, or jetskis or whatever. Lets say you and your spouse both work.
None of the above statements are uncommon.
You gotta tow that boat, right? So, you have an SUV that allows you to take your family, perhaps some friends and your boat to the lake.
If you can't afford another car, your going to be driving that SUV to work, and likely by yourself.

While I agree that there are way more SUVs on the road than fit the above scenario, there are a lot that do. We had SUVs for years, and it was quite handy. Used it mostly for getting plants for the garden and going to the dump. Also managed to pack it pretty full for beach weeks. I'm not really sure how we'll do that now.

 

I'm interested in the Prius for the gas savings, reduced emissions, and the "gee whiz" factor! From reading many of the posts it sounds like a computer on wheels, I think the Prius will make a great hobby!

I own two SUVs, a 1983 Land Cruiser wagon (before there were "SUVs") and a 2004 4runner. The Land Cruiser has served me well as a camping/family/daily driver for 22 years, but at 200K miles and 10 mpg I'm looking to retire it.

The 4runner is my new camping-mobile, can tow a camping trailer, and it's also got the size and comfort I like for trips. I'm not crazy about the 16 mpg I'm getting, but after two years we've only put 10000 miles on it.

The Prius will fit right in as my new daily commuter car. I've been carpooling for a couple of years now, which has helped a lot with gas costs (and stress level!), the Prius will make that even sweeter

I feel adding the Prius will help average out the mileage and emissions of the 4runner.

 

And there you have it. People enjoy their vehicles for different reasons. You have some sort of *world goodness* attached to your car, and the Hummer owner enjoys having a big, cool looking truck. Again, both of you enjoy your vehicles, you just seem to hate them.

Smug? I do not know, self indulgent, sure. I don't have a problem with that.

 

That's fine. No issue whatsoever. But, and its a big but, there are many on the other side of this. I do not find toys to be wastes of time or money pits. They help me and my family relax and enjoy our time together.

It seems to me that you just feel superior. I guess that's ok, I just find it rude. You condemn what millions do because it doesn't fit your ideal or further your goals (apparently retiring early, good luck with that, I plan on it as well).

I do my best to leave this alone now as we are at an impass.

 

Getting back on topic...

You're supporting hybrid technology. That was a significant reason we bought our '05. As hybrid engines become more common and accepted, the better our world gets. (For whatever definition of "better" you care to use.)

Enjoy!

 

I just wanted to make a point here. I've never fully understood why people buy into this philosophy of rushing to retirement, and doing everything you can for it. First off, you may be dead, secondly, you can't really enjoy jetski's, snowmobiles, etc. when you're 65, but more importantly, most people I know who have retired, wish they could go back to work, or open up their own business because they're flat out bored, which is more difficult at those ages. Also, many of those toys are cheaper than you think, you don't need a Yamaha Raptor to enjoy 4-wheeling, a $1,000 or less, Blaster will do. Likewise with jetski's, so on and so fourth...

"Retirement" is just as much an advertising tool for financial firms as commercials for SUV's are for their respective manufacturers. Just like the adds that scare old folks about loosing the big homes they spent most of their lives paying for. The reality is, a big home when you're old is a burden. I know too many retiree's that simply sold their homes and picked up a spartan 1 bedroom condo, or studio, for which to remain for the rest of their lives... Intentionally, and they love it because it's simple and easy to maintain.

Now, I'm not saying f-it-all and not plan for a rainy day, but more amongst the lines of not sacrificing too much of a today for a tomorrow.

I have absolutely "0" plans to actually "retire", and when the time comes, all I want is a small studio apartment somewhere warm, preferably paid for by the State.