Jealous Non-Hybrid Owners

They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery, but this might take it a little far.

A guy I work with owns an H2 (or does the H2 own him?), and he changed his license plate to "11 MPG" because mine is "51 MPG".

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Hopeful Future Prius Owner @ Sep 7 2006, 10:16 PM) [snapback]316146[/snapback]</div>

They make lotsa different cars for lotsa different tastes. Just like a new Z06 Corvette. The dealers are marking them up from $5,000 to $20,000 over the hefty sticker price of $77,000 and selling them as fast as they can. But I never hear anyone who owns a 2007 Z06 asking "Do you think those Prius owners are jealous because they have to buy a cheap hybrid to make ends meet..."

For crying out loud. These are just cars, and owning this hybrid or that SUV doesn't a person make.

Buy what you want, enjoy it, but don't assume the guy in a 1986 Camry wishes for one second he had your car or mine. That person just might be happier in the 'ol '86 than you think.

 

I get comments like, "I wish I had one of those," or "I'd like one of those," or "I'd buy one if I could afford it."

I sometimes have curious people asking me about it. When I got mine in January of 2004 (and gas was cheaper) and I told people that I was only getting 29 to 30 mpg (bitterly-cold North Dakota winters, and a short commute after 5 minutes to warm the cabin) the usual comment from drivers of conventional cars was, "Wow, that's still great!"

I've never encountered anger or negativism from people envious of my car.

I did once peek at another car chat board, linked to from here for some reason or other, and saw great anger against the Prius. But I've never encountered that in real life.

 

My husband is jealous of my Prius, mostly because it's mine and not his. I think sometimes he thinks that I love Max more than I love him, but that's just not true...I don't think... :wub:

He was all proud of himself last month when he drove his (2004 V6 Accord) really economically and patiently and announced that for an entire tank he achieved 24.3mpg. His bubble was burst shortly thereafter when I blurted out that I was getting just over 48mpg on my current tank by driving normally. He went back to driving normally and is getting in the low-low 20's for mileage.

I do let him drive my car when he promises not to lower my mpgs, and he loves it!! Mostly because it's so tech-y (he's really into high-tech stuff), and has things his car doesn't have...updated navi, backup camera, bluetooth integration, rear seats that fold all the way down. He says he wants to trade in the Accord for a Prius. I think that would be a wise decision. We'll see.

 

I am jealous of my wife's Prius, but I don't say anything nasty. In fact, I am trying to be extra nice so she'll let me drive it

Alan

 

I'm jealous of my husband because he get's to drive the Prius more than I get to. <_<

 

I'm jealous of anyone here who has more than one Prius!

 

I'm jealous of girls because they get to wear dresses!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Presto @ Sep 8 2006, 01:31 PM) [snapback]316553[/snapback]</div>

Honeychile...you can HAVE ALL OF my dresses...skirts...pantyhose...uncomfortable shoes...etc., etc., etc. ad infinitum...I got me a Pri. What more do I need? (Minds out of the gutter, friends!)

(But maybe you do need to start a NEW thread about the dress thing, Presto... )

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Hopeful Future Prius Owner @ Sep 7 2006, 10:16 PM) [snapback]316146[/snapback]</div>

Umm, actually yes. I had someone who I thought was a friend try to tell me, it doesn't get nearly the MPG as claimed! the battery costs almost 10K to replace! gas is going down to $1.00 and I would REALLY save money then! etc... I have not idea what got into him. I was very surprised and nothing I said made any difference. Oh well I guess he will get over it but maybe not.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Randy G. @ Sep 8 2006, 04:31 AM) [snapback]316227[/snapback]</div>

Amen!

Remember that thread from the "student" that was trying to profile the typical Prius lover... and assumed we are all smarter than other car buyers. I was tempted to caution people not to confuse inflated heads with intelligence. Chances are, the guy in the SUV next to you at the gas pump doesn't give a rip about what you are driving. But how many Prius owners get a holier-than-thou feeling when they are next to a hummer in a gas station? How many Prius owners think SUV owners are self centered jerks - hey I have seen the comments in other threads... you "Pri-litists" are out there.

As for comments about my Prius. A guy in a gas station sarcastically (but it was polite sarcasm) said, "I thought those things never needed gas." Friends and family that ask about the car always bring up the obligatory questions about battery replacement. They seem pleasantly suprised to hear why I expect the batteries to last as long as the rest of the car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Proco @ Sep 8 2006, 01:23 PM) [snapback]316547[/snapback]</div>

Me too!!!

I had to replace our second car (My car) a '95 Monte Carlo. It served me well but was getting old and I'm giving it to my Grand-son-in-law. Not having the wherewithall for a second Prius, I had to settle for a 2003 Nissan Sentra. Hey! I know, but what are you gonna do! I got a good deal at least that's what the salesman told me. :blink:

My wife promised me I would still get to drive the Prius. I thanked her and promptly reminded her whose name was on the title. Heh heh ... me! So I can say I let her drive my Prius even though it's hers.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Curtis SAC @ Sep 8 2006, 05:10 PM) [snapback]316678[/snapback]</div>

I'd reply: "It doesn't. I'm buying this to use for lighting the barbeque grill."

Or: "It doesn't. I just carry some gas around to help out stranded motorists."

I would not say: "it doesn't. I belong to Earth First! and I use this gas to torch SUV's."

Or maybe I'd say, with a deep sigh: "Yeah, that's what I thought too, but it turns out I have to add gas two or three times a year, and I'm really disappointed about that."

 

I see more envy than jealousy. My friends are curious and they see the special features of the car so they know it is more than just environmental and low gas mileage .

 

I would have to say that the most numerous group I come across is the " I am interested, I don't get it, and could I do better next time I get a car" group. They are looking, thinking, investigating but are not going to switch horses until the one they are riding gets old and tired.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Sep 8 2006, 08:28 PM) [snapback]316741[/snapback]</div>

I just made the jump from an '04 Matrix XR (which I still like) to a Prius ('04 Tideland Pearl #7 if you care) and after my first 100 miles in the Prius I can tell you with complete confidence that the Prius is faster and feels stronger. I say challenge him to a race and you can leave him in your wake (or lack of) and shut him up.