My 78-year-old dad just bought a Toyota Prius. Why do you ask is this news? Well, my dad is about as conservative as they come. He believes coal is the next miracle fuel. He believes Nuclear energy is our future. He doesn't buy into "alternative" energy. In short, he's the last person on the planet that I would have expected to buy a Prius. (He is also selling a diesel Ford F250 to buy the Prius but obviously will be using the Prius differently) The thing that shocks me the most though is that my dad has only owned one foreign car in his life - a Peugeot. Other than that, it's been Ford, GM, or Chrysler products. His test drive involved riding around in my 2002 Prius and watching my mom get in and out of our car easily. Now, if my dad, who has always tried to buy American, decides to buy a Prius, don't you think the US car companies are in trouble? (Then again, maybe this is the challenge they need to finally get back in gear...)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mattleb @ Jun 21 2006, 05:03 PM) [snapback]274952[/snapback]</div> GM will just respond by saying your dad is getting senile. George
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mardikes @ Jun 21 2006, 08:10 PM) [snapback]274954[/snapback]</div> And I respond by saying GM is getting senile... :lol:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mattleb @ Jun 21 2006, 05:03 PM) [snapback]274952[/snapback]</div> There are three reasons why the 'Big 3' is losing market share: 1) Americans are not smart enough to realize Detroit sells a quality product at a reasonable cost. 2) Americans are not patriotic enough to buy American cars. 3) The liberal media. That your father purchased a Toyota is an inidication his intelligence is declining with age and should see a doctor, he is no longer patriotic and should be reported to the Dept. of Homeland Security, or (gasp) he has come under the influence of the liberal media....set all his radio presets to talk radio immediately and hope his condition is not contageous.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(j24816 @ Jun 21 2006, 05:25 PM) [snapback]274960[/snapback]</div> Actually, he read an article in Kiplinger's about the tax credits. Not exactly "liberal".
I drove to Rochester NY afew weeks ago to visit some old family friends who knew me before I was born. Uncle has only ever bought 3 NEW cars in his life- 2 Saturns and a '06 Camry for his wife. They were both very impressed with MY Prius! (ps- they are close to the same age as your father)
mattleb, my dad is a few years younger than yours, and he's fascinated by my Prius. I think if it was just a little taller, he'd be sold. He has a bit of trouble getting in, cause he's tall and thanks to his age, doesn't bend as well as he used to. I think if I could ever get him to DRIVE the Prius, he'd be sold. Hope your dad enjoys his car for many years.
Think about it. Currently, they're target is to bring out innovative products. That's fine by me. I think the Caliber's rear speakers are cool, so is its grooved glovebox for cans. The problem is... the materials. The rear speakers that fold down from the tailgate are so flimsy. They look more like "My First Boombox" than a car's stereo.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mattleb @ Jun 21 2006, 08:03 PM) [snapback]274952[/snapback]</div> If not, they are doomed as doomed can be. I mean, I often think of Tucker, the man and the auto, when I think of today's auto industry. He was ahead of his day, and tried to get Detroit to notice. Now, once again, Detroit is behind the times, and seems determined to stay that way. Yes, Ford had the HyEscape, and Chevy has one coming out, but I think that they have a long way to go. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mardikes @ Jun 21 2006, 08:10 PM) [snapback]274954[/snapback]</div> THAT was genuinely funny, and yet, sad, since it's so true.
my dad is jealous of my prius. He can't buy one though because he's an exec at a "different" car company. I'm not revealing names
Of course everybody knows that Toyota is a Japanese company. However, some do not know that Toyota manufactures most of their cars here in the U.S. which means that American workers are benefiting from the sale of Toyota cars. What are the two models not made in the U.S.? One of them is the new FJ Cruiser, and the other is the Prius.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mardikes @ Jun 21 2006, 05:10 PM) [snapback]274954[/snapback]</div> Nah, GM won't, but Malorn probably will!
my grandfather (72 years old) is fascinated by my prius too- he thinks it's the coolest idea. anytime he hears anything on the news about it, he tells me about it when i call. and when other relatives go on about how it was such a bad idea, a bad purchase, not worth the money, we'll replace the battery every 3 years, etc he tells em the straight facts. i've never seen him get so worked up over someone not liking a car... :lol:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mattleb @ Jun 21 2006, 07:03 PM) [snapback]274952[/snapback]</div> Are you my long lost brother kidnapped by gypsies? The only difference between your Dad and my Dad is my Dad has never owned a foreign car and hasn't bought a Prius....yet. They still have their Caddy but my mother is increasingly unpleased with it. My Dad, who has owned Caddys for 40 years, says he will never buy another one. My Dad says the next car he'll buy is a Lexus. I'm trying to talk them into the highest package Camry Hybrid. (I know my Mom likes my Prius.)
The US companies will figure out the Hybrid deal, and start building them...about the time Toyota, Honda, etc. are into fuel cells, hydrogen, or whatever energy flavor of the week is cutting edge. It seems US companies would rather follow, than innovate.
