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Toyota Prius vs Hummer H3 ? ( Yea, a serious question ... )

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by Ray66, May 24, 2012.

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  1. Ray66

    Ray66 New Member

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    I understand and realize asking this question on a Prius dominated Forum is like asking for what I get ..... Well, here I go anyway.

    How many of you purchased a SUV or Hummer H3 for safety and confidence reasons? Or to * feel * like your safe? ... Higher up, looking down and the imposing image of the Hummer that says " Don't f__k with me." The last few months, after re-locating to Miami and it's agressive drivers and two verbal threats while driving my little green Prius ... I don't know why, but people think I am some kind of squirrel lover, tree hugger wimp of a man. That said, my former residence north of So. Florida, a place where Americans actually speak the American language called English, people respected others and obeyed traffic signals. I've never lived in a place before where people jay walk at all hours wanting to be killed, or at a stop light and some Bum approaches my Prius window demanding a cigarette, and after I said no, he calls me an donkey. That said, I was forced to arm myself ( CCW permit ), and thinking ( yes, don't kill me Prius Lovers ) about buying a Hummer H3 Alpha V8. My Toyota Prius gets great mileage, at least 40 MPG city. Hummer H3s get around 18 city. However, being high up off the ground and a feeling of more protected, I feel I am forced to move to a SUV, for the feeling of confidence living in a major metro area like So. Florida where angry immigrants rule the roads and highways. I like the Hummer H3 Alpha but not sure if it's worth the hassle and extra $ to sell my Prius ( or trade in ) and buy the H3. My buddy wants to sell me his H3 for cheap and I can afford it ... just not sure if it's wise to make the change with gas prices looming in on $5 gallon.

    Please advise ....

    Thanks

     
    #1 Ray66, May 24, 2012
  2. Ray66

    Ray66 New Member

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    I forgot to add that So. Florida is Hit & Run Capital of the world. And because of the high influx of immigrants, and many people don't have auto or health insurance, and are illegal. Just in the past year, I've seen or heard of at least 12 Hit and Runs, and I reside in a wealthy area of So. Florida. I love my Prius to death ... Starts every time and 40+ MPG city, but I also value my life and the lives of my passengers and/or family, and want to be protected if some drunk illegal immigrant t-bones me after picking up my kids at school. That said, which would you rather be, the hammer or the nail ... ? My Dad was hit from behind, in his 2011 Tundra Extended Cab 1/2 ton Truck - he felt a little budge, while the crash dummies behind him suffered serious injuries from the head on collision., and they were driving a small hybrid Honda.
     
    #2 Ray66, May 24, 2012
  3. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    I HIHGLY doubt the an H3 Alpha V8 would get "around 18 city" considering per Compare Side-by-Side, its EPA rating is 13 city/16 highway, 14 mpg combined.

    From Follow-Up Test: 2008 Hummer H3 Alpha
    From 2006-2010 Hummer H3: Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive
    -- this isn't the V8 engine

    2008 Hummer H3 Alpha Review - Four Wheeler Magazine
    It also was one of the lowest test scorers at Best & worst cars, top cars and lowest scorers, overall and slow (Best & worst cars review, best & worst acceleration).

    When CR tested the H3 (Car Model Review - Consumer Reports, you'll need a subscription), with the 06 4WD w/3.5L 5 cylinder, 4-speed auto, they got 10 city/20 highway, 14 mpg overall.

    If you "must" buy an SUV, how about the ones at The most fuel-efficient SUVs. For non-SUVs, how about some vehicles from http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/02/the-most-fuel-efficient-cars/index.htm and http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...-fuel-economy/best-and-worst-fuel-economy.htm like the '12 HyCam?
     
    #3 cwerdna, May 24, 2012
  4. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    Why don't you just buy an International CXT? Some guys I know who work there got to take one out for a little testing a while back and they have a few stories about how easy it was to intimidate all the people who buy SUVs to feel safe (pull up next to person at stoplight, roll down window, look down at SUV driver, watch them cower). It's actually pretty funny.

    Oh yeah, here's what happens to you when you hit a REAL truck (in this case a school bus):
    [​IMG]
     
    #4 a_gray_prius, May 24, 2012
  5. Ray66

    Ray66 New Member

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    Unfortunately, it's about feeling safe and secure.

    I have 2 buddies that drive Black H3 Alpha Hummers, and they never get hassled. Bums at intersections stay away, and people don't tailgate them, and both can see all around on the Freeway. He's even been hit by smaller cars, and he barely feels it.

    A_Gray_Prius: with respect you live in a lovely Chicago suburb where English is spoken daily.

    So. Florida is a Rat Race .... Hit & Run Capital of The World - A Fact, not opinion.

    I love my Prius, but I also want to feel safe and secure. If I lived in rural Georgia, Carolinas or West Coast, or Colorado, the thought of an H3 Alpha would never enter my mind. People in my area advise that people view the Prius as a woman's Car, or a vehicle owned by a person with little confidence. Green types or Tree Huggers, Animal Lovers, etc... The bottom line, I don't like people f__king with me, period. As in running me off the road for no reason or Bums demanding money/cigarettes at interestions, or Hip Hop Ghetto thugs cutting me off for no reson other than apathy and the pleasure of being rude. If I have the choice of being the Nail or the Hammer, I will choose the Hammer.

    Not sure what to do ... I love 40+ MPG city ! ! ! :rockon:
     
    #5 Ray66, May 24, 2012
  6. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    #6 cwerdna, May 24, 2012
  7. Ray66

    Ray66 New Member

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    Good points Cwerdna. Thanks for your opinion. Maybe I should play it safe and stay with the Tried and Trued Prius ... She starts every time, never a problem.
     
    #7 Ray66, May 24, 2012
  8. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Again, there are plenty of vehicles I pointed out in my earlier posts, some of which might not have the image/perception issue that you perceive/are experiencing.

    I've said this before a bunch of times: if my Prius were to be totaled for some reason tomorrow, I'd be replacing it with either a 3rd gen Prius (used '10 or '11) or a new '12 or a '12 HyCam. I do sorta miss having more power (previously having owned a 287 hp 350Z alongside my Prius). My Prius replaced my 255 hp Maxima.
     
    #8 cwerdna, May 24, 2012
  9. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    Move.
     
    #9 hyo silver, May 24, 2012
    1 person likes this.
  10. Chuck.

    Chuck. Former Honda Enzyte Driver

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    I've done plenty of ranting about the yahoos in the Dallas area as you have about your neighbors. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt Miami drivers are even worse, but can't help but believe you are letting the jerks get to you - don't!

    Getting a Prius is a start, but there is another part that could be called spiritual - don't get intimidated....getting a huge guzzler is just caving in to the idiot drivers.

    I'd bet like Dallas, Miami has gearheads in pickups and SUV's that rollover and get fatally ejected because they were not wearing a seatbelt - they felt invincible.

    Getting a Prius gets you halfway there. If you don't let it teach you how drive better, you missed the point.

    It's hard, but once again - don't cave into the jerks.
     
    #10 Chuck., May 24, 2012
  11. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

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    I've never been to Miami, but from your description, the solution is not a "more intimidating" car, but rather a change of residence. You describe a city where your kids are not safe. How many hours out of the 24 would a big car make them safer? Obviously, you had reasons for moving there, but are those reasons really worth your kids' safety?

    You asked for advice. Here's mine: Move back north.

    Full disclosure: I do not like big cities. I hate visiting them, and wild horses could not get me to live in one.
     
    #11 daniel, May 24, 2012
  12. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    I love big cities but Miami is a dump. Move. Try New York, LA, Boston, SF, Seattle, or Austin.
     
    #12 macmaster05, May 24, 2012
  13. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    By the way, you should post this thread in the Main Prius Forum section. You'd get better reaction/advice over there.
     
    #13 macmaster05, May 24, 2012
  14. sdtundra

    sdtundra Senior Member

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    #14 sdtundra, May 24, 2012
  15. Ray66

    Ray66 New Member

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    #15 Ray66, May 24, 2012
  16. Ray66

    Ray66 New Member

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    Which Forum is that ... ? Please ....

    Thanks
     
    #16 Ray66, May 24, 2012
  17. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    #17 macmaster05, May 24, 2012
  18. Ray66

    Ray66 New Member

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    Thank you all for responding ....
     
    #18 Ray66, May 24, 2012
  19. FL_Prius_Driver

    FL_Prius_Driver Senior Member

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    Might want to try tinting the windows before committing to a Hummer. Most folks won't hassle anything they can't see. Might be an off duty cop or something more fearful behind the dark window.
     
    #19 FL_Prius_Driver, May 24, 2012
  20. SlowTurd

    SlowTurd I LIKE PRIUS'S

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    try some cheap stickers first


    [​IMG]
     
    #20 SlowTurd, May 24, 2012
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