What do you say to Prius Bashers?

"We are wealthy enough that gas would have to get alot more expensive before I'd worry about it, but I do drive a civic during the week just because it makes sense. "

Okay, kudos for the common sense Civic/Grand Am commuters, instead of the full-size truck. I see that WAY too much around here. An actual work truck is far and few between, doing the job it was built for.

But...that is the mentality...use it 'cause you can afford it. THAT is what will drain our resources faster than we can replenish them...oops, already happening.

I know, I know, it's a free market and capitalism and all that, but where and when do we realize it's not a sustainable system? Not even close. My opinion.

Cheers,
Curt.

 

Even some fairly intelligent friends get caught up in the spin from the folks who have attempted for several years now to bad mouth the Prius into non-existence. For those willing to listen I let them look and ride, only a couple of people have driven my car. Real experience with a Prius is the best way to learn the truth.

 

As difficult as it is to argue with someone who has already made up their mind, I try to be polite and refute their misinformation. To those who say I should have budgeted another $5000 to replace the batteries next week, I say they're guaranteed for eight years and are expected to last the life of the car. If and when they do need replacing, there will be something better and cheaper. To those who say it's too slow and doesn't handle, I offer them a ride and make sure they smack their head on the side window at least once. Fortunately, the standard Klingon response 'then die in ignorance' is seldom necessary.

 

I guess I'd consider myself lucky for living in Los Angeles, because I have yet to meet someone ignorant about the good qualities of my car. Most of the questions I get from strangers are inquiries about the technology, mileage, etc. They seem to be at that stage where they are deciding whether to get one, instead of bashing its owners.

Regarding the OP, I guess the only nice thing is to either smile and walk away - and that would take some huge balls. Maybe you can add, I'm glad you are happy with your purchase before walking away.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(peanutmac @ Jun 5 2006, 03:11 AM) [snapback]265879[/snapback]</div>

I don't think I would argue with someone who drives an Escalade- that's what Tony Soprano drives.

 

If their clothes are clean: "Let me take you for a ride in it and see what you think".

If not: "Them fifty dollar fillups gettin' on yore nerves, boy?"

 

I've heard that a more realistic replacement cost of the battery pack is $3000. I have a 2004 Prius. With an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty on the hybrid system (including battery), it's likely I'll trade it before I'd need to purchase a new one out of warranty. It's also likely that the cost of a new battery pack will decline as the technology becomes more mainstream.

That said, over the 8-year warranty period, you will save far more than $3000 over the cost of gas for an Escalade. And let's not forget the warm fuzzies we get from snubbing our noses at OPEC (and Exxon-Mobil), not to mention reducing greenhouse gases (over your Excalade-driving friend).

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(airpolgas @ Jun 5 2006, 11:02 AM) [snapback]266065[/snapback]</div>

 

this is why i'm a bit of a misanthrope--too many ignorant people out there who have to have an opinion on something they know nothing about.

i had this problem more before i actually bought the car--when i was a wee lister. i had a hard time defending myself, becuase no matter how much research i did, i hadn't driven the prius, and always felt like i was on the defensive, sounding like an idealistic little girl. and then i got my car...

screw people, i love getting in the argument now, i'm totally unrepressed and unabashed.

the "it's so expensive remark", is particularly fun to shoot down. i love listing off all the goodies you have in addition to the superior mileage, super low emissions, tax credit, etc.

but the one that raises my ire the most, is "i'm not impressed, it might be good for city driving, but it doesn't go fast enough for the freeway."

i can't tell you how many people say this, without ever having driven in a prius and experiencing its celerity.

in fact, i often get better mileage one the freeway. sure, i like to keep my speed at 65, but when i
have a naysayer in the car i will show them the ease at which it could attain and maintain 80. i tell them it is now their duty, anytime they hear someone say that the prius can't go fast or gets bad mileage on the freeway, to pass on their expierence or i won't be their friend


christine

 

"Misanthrope"? "Celerity"? Christine, you rock!

 

What an awesome post finman... I made it my latest background pic!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(finman @ Jun 5 2006, 11:02 AM) [snapback]265958[/snapback]</div>

In regards to SUV drivers... I think I can competently say that most don't use them because they need them, but for ego and pride purpsoses... I know because I used to be one myself.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mirza @ Jun 5 2006, 11:49 AM) [snapback]266108[/snapback]</div>

My wife and I are in the market for a replacement to our Explorer, and the current choices are Sienna or Sequoia. If I stay with the SUV, it will definitely be a Toyota. I'm a Toyota whore! :lol:

 

If someone mentions the Prius "paying for itself," or anything related to fuel savings vs. the price of the car, I have a simple answer:

"I've never said anything about the Prius paying for itself. I'm using the money I don't give to the oil companies to buy things for myself!" Maybe a new computer, a nicer vacation, things like that. I'm saving over $1000/year on fuel. I don't expect to wait 30 years to "pay off" the Prius; I'm using the money now.

 

My 2001 Prius records show 22 cents per mile total cost of ownership, assuming I sell it tomorrow at a typical market price (that is not the plan!). Owners of the new Prius model are in even a better position, because their cars have depreciated even more slowly. Maint costs will be somewhat higher for Prius who do not DIY, or who say Yes to whatever the shop offers.

As the average cost of cars is 56 cents per mile (from AAA and the Bureau of transportation statistics), this is a pretty cheap ride. The pollution output is low also. If hybrid vehcles satisfy your transportation needs (size and load), then it is a pretty safe bet they will save you money overall.

Not everyone tracks all the costs to develop a total cost of ownership, but it would be great to hear from others who do. Maybe this deserves its own thread?

The big scary HV batteries sell new in the $1000-$2000 range, depending on where one looks. Used ones are less, because unfortunately Prius are getting crashed out of the fleet faster than they fail on their own.

One might contrast this with conventional automatic transmissions, which support an Entire Industry devoted to fluid changes, flushes, nostrums, rebuilding and replacement.

Future potential fuel price increases will impact hybrid vehicles the least of all. Things look pretty good in Prius-land.

I only used the word "nostrums" because "celerity" was used earlier.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(peanutmac @ Jun 5 2006, 03:11 AM) [snapback]265879[/snapback]</div>

You know i have alot of people at work that have dissed my '06. So i did this and DIED, fell over dead laughing, when i saw there faces...

I went to the EPA's website and looked up the fuel eco and specs of the 06 prius. The epa's website can be kinda hard to navigate bty. I printed it out, and on it, it states how much it cost to drive 25 miles, how much its a year to pay in gas... etc... its pretty nifty... how many tons of CO2...

then i would look up the cars they drove and print it out... when you see 700$ in gas and 2500$ in gas between the 2, you really cant argue... i did it to a co-worker that drove a truck that got like 13 mpg... then i asked him how much he payed in taxes, and told him when he could ansewer that 3k of his tax dollars to drive my car...

...the buck stopped there...

 

I usually say, "Now Darell... you be nice! You own one now, my friend!"

I've said this several times in other threads, and I read the same experiences here. Nobody had a problem with me buying a Honda Civic and getting 38mpg. Why do so many people have a problem with me buying a Prius - a MUCH more "uprade" vehicle than the Civic - for about $10k more and getting 50mpg and much lower emissions?

The answer is actually quite simple. And it is what I run into on a daily (hourly?) basis with EV discussions. Ready for it?


Ignorance.

 

Well first of all they have NO idea what the batteries will cost in 7 years. Secondly, they Prius is holding it's value very well as a used car, thirdly, Toyota has not had to replace batteries in any of the prius' built when they were out of warranty. Plus they are providing an 8 year 100,000 mile warranty on them. So in eight years when your batteries MAY need replacing there will be so many Hybrids on the market and improvements and cost reductions in batteries that they may be very inexpensive to replace. Toyota also has their batteries built in Modules so you can replace a weak module not the entire set of Batteries.

There is also a possible savings on your insurance as well. I sold a 1999 Lexus GS 300 and bought a 2006 Prius and my insruance actually dropped $100.00 for the year.

I would simply tell them there is NO way to calculate the cost at this time and that toyota has a well thought out design to miotigate such costs.

The Warranty
Building and selling more Hybrids thus driving the special components cost (batteries) Down
The history of no Prius since they were first intorduced in Japan in 1997 ever needing new hybrid batteries out of warranty.

Then offer to compare operating costs (including resale values )with them on their luxury cars at the end of several years.
Sorry couldn't resist it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cuzican @ Jun 5 2006, 11:20 AM) [snapback]265964[/snapback]</div>

It sounds to me like you've got a truck for precisely the reason they made trucks, and you don't waste it on unecessary town driving. Personally, I only feel like hassling people I know with big trucks and SUVs who buy them solely for looks. Most of 'em drive them all the time, and never for any actual hauling, they just think it makes them seem like 'bigger people'. I don't have much respect for anything people do to seem like a 'bigger person', come to think.

As for SUVs for kids, I'm from a very large family and most of my family members are also having large families, and they all drive minivans. They may not be considered as sexy as an SUV, but I feel much more comfortable with my young nieces, nephews and cousins in the minivans...

 

I I have never had the experiences as some of you described. Most people I meet are more intrigued by the technology than offended by it. Most of my fishing and hunting buddies would like to see the technology put in trucks or SUVs (and no the HiHy is not a true off-road vehicle). They all like the concept but do not see the point in spending $30K for a car that will not pull a trailer or a boat. I cannot argue with that logic. If I could only have one vehicle, I would have had to go with my SUV. Thankfully, I have both. I use the Prius for all of my day to day driving (saving me $$$) and use the SUV for my weekend excursions.

I have yet to see a Prius towing a boat, although I am sure someone will post a picture.

I say no reason lowering your self to there level. If they want to pick a fight then they can argue with someone else.

We live in America, they have a right to there opinion and so do I. I know most conservative commentators (Hannity, Snow, Limbaugh, etc.) disagree with the notion that (environmental extremists push) the hybrid agenda is the answer to oil prices, etc. I for one disagree with that theory entirely (like most conservative commentators). If we had put policies into place 20-30 years ago, that would have implemented more emphasis on oil independence and increased refinery capacity then we would not be in the situation we are now. Have you not noticed that every time Iran stirs the pot politically the price of oil goes up? Seems to me the Pres. of Iran is not as nuts (although he is certifiable) as the media make him out to be. Our adversaries (yes we are the infidels) have the power to control the amount of oil being produced and our own lack of preparation has not allowed us to keep up with our growing demand (was not the last refinery built in the 70’s?). Driving a Prius saves me $$ now. That is why I like it; however, I know most Americans cannot afford the technology. Besides, you should have the choice to drive whatever vehicle you want and not be raped at the pump every time you buy fuel. That is what Hannity, Snow, and O’Reilly think. It is in some part to the environmental extremist’s credit that we have hybrid technology today; it is largely due to their close-minded legislation (that has been passed over the last 3 decades) that has prevented us from becoming more energy independent.

Geoff

 

Don't take this the wrong way... I'm posing an honest question for honest answers.

Can you give some examples where environmental lesgislation has prevented us from becoming more energy independent (aside from drilling)?

In defense of environmentalists, we can thank environmental legislation (the reduction/elimination of cfc's harmful to the stratospheric ozone layer) for helping to alleviate the depletion of the ozone layer.



<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chinook-hybrid @ Jun 5 2006, 08:24 PM) [snapback]266331[/snapback]</div>