Why do you drive a Prius?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DustinWS6 @ Apr 19 2007, 05:03 PM) [snapback]426375[/snapback]</div>

If it didn't,
I did see some of those fake balls you could hang on the rear of it..LOL

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DustinWS6 @ Apr 19 2007, 06:30 PM) [snapback]426348[/snapback]</div>

I drive enough for work that the overall cost of car+fuel will have been less after about five years of ownership than for anything else even mid-level. If you drive only to church on Sundays or will accept a bargain-basement econo-box then the same won't hold true for you.

Many (I don't know about "most") here are, umm, strident environmentalists and would probably like to see Hummer drivers rounded up and herded into re-education camps where they would be forced to view Al Gore's movie until they all suffocate from holding their breath to avoid exhaling any more "greenhouse gases."

I'm not very fond of inhaling NOx and SOx, so low-emission is nice, but I didn't buy mine to save polar bears or polar ice caps. Reducing dependence on imported oil doesn't hurt, either.

SUV's and other larger personal vehicles can serve a legitimate purpose (our other vehicle is an Envoy XUV), but I do have to confess to a little smugness at how much more cheaply my vehicle gets me from point A to point B.

A Prius will not replace a sports car, but something interesting occurred to me recently. In my early 20's, I spent quite a bit of time and money "optimising" cars with my friends to make them more powerful, and it was indeed fun. However, those optimisations spent most of the time (when NOT driving with the accelerator floored) doing NOTHING. The Prius is also optimised, not for raw power, but for efficiency, and those optimisations operate all the time.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ethereal @ Apr 19 2007, 06:13 PM) [snapback]426396[/snapback]</div>

The key for me is all of what's been mentioned, put together.

1. Fuel Efficiency- good for the wallet, good for the planet (even if you don't care, it certainly doesn't HURT!), good for energy independence/national security, etc.

2. Roomy- I see everyone around here driving a Pontiac Vibe. Almost the exact same size/design, which they bought for leg room and hauling space. Only mine gets way better mpg.

3. Looks & driving- for me, both are excellent. No, I've never owned an SUV or sports car (although I have driven some). From other middle-of-the-road sedans and hatchbacks, the Prius was a step up in handling and horsepower. (that's not scientific, it's just my feeling).

My point is, unless you are dying for a car that can outrace everything on the road, which as Ethereal mentioned you can't do in everyday commute situations anyways, or you need a large vehicle for a large family or business cargo, then the Prius is the way to go.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DustinWS6 @ Apr 19 2007, 07:21 PM) [snapback]426399[/snapback]</div>

No, I just wouldn't be able to appreciate the things that make it special most of the time, because they wouldn't be in play.

The Saturn V's a helluva impressive machine, but a poor choice for daily transportation.

 

I had a 1990 Probe (acquired new) that gave signs of being on its last legs. When I started looking, the Prius was not even on my list. I kept seeing favorable reviews related to the gas mileage, fit and finish, dependability, and interior room for the Prius. Several years of top rankings by a consumer magazine (C.R.) did not hurt, particularly that it was the top model in owner satisfaction. Several reviews did remark that it was a "dull" drive, but I decided I should at least check it out.

I investigated it, looked it over a few times, read the sites (including this one), test drove it, and stopped looking at anything else.

Compared to the Probe, the Prius handled well enough (though not near as well in cornering), and was lively when it needed to be. While not a sports car, the "dull" drive was undeserved. I saw it could actually fit two adults in the back without contortions, and like the Probe (hatchback), could carry a bit of cargo when needed. On the test drives, I did take both a base and touring model through some hills, curves, and other tests. Not a lot of difference, but I had a slight preference for the feel of the Touring model. The salesman reported figures near sticker MPG when I asked about "real MPG", but I didn't bite based on what I'd read, expecting to get something in the 40's. I was not influenced towards purchase by the green aspects of the car, seeing those only as a bonus. I was impressed by the technology (I'm a SW engineer). I was not particularly impressed with the looks, but found them pleasant.

I originally was going for a package 3, but after running though the Navigation examples of the web, elected to go with package 5.

Thus I ended up the owner of a 2007 silver Prius Touring edition, the third week of March. (Incidentally, my instincts about the end of life of the Probe were precise. I backed it out of the garage and parked it in the driveway to prep it for sale on the day I picked up the Prius. That was the last time it ever started.)

Since then I have played with the tech features, pulse and glide, and other ways to use the unique characteristics of a hybrid. I enjoy showing off the voice response, the navigation, the hybrid system, and the engineering that went into the car. In some aspects, it is like having an elaborate toy.

It didn't hurt my opinion that the first tank of gas averaged 48 MPG in below freezing weather when starting in the morning and around 40s at night on a 15 minute one-way daily commute in traffic, with one 120 mile freeway round trip (including a snowstorm) thrown in.

It is a bit fidgety in gusty winds (we often get 40 MPH or higher gusts here next to the Rockies), but not any problem to handle. Passing or being passed by semis on the interstate - no problem. There are always improvements that could be made to any vehicle. For me, the seats could be a bit more comfortable, the display could be better with some more tech (Tach, etc.). It took me a week to get use to the "bar" across my view in the rear-view mirror. Overall, nothing that I would report as negative about the car. It took me a few days to adjust to the engine "dying" when I came to a stop - a most pleasant adjustment.

I find the looks growing on me.

I have found that the tech aspects of the car have altered the way I drive. I have become somewhat less aggressive in what I do, and less angry when I encounter dumb driving. Quite an accomplishment for a car!

The Prius may not be for everyone, but despite some initial doubts, I am very satisfied with mine.

I have had more fun with this vehicle than any other one I've driven. That is why I drive a Prius.

 

Hi Dustin...

I drive a Prius because its the most appropriate car for the City/Suburban enviorment I drive in. I may drive on a 6 lane interstate for 40 miles each day, but it rarely I get to do even 65 mph on that road for the complete trip. Today, I was in electric and glide for over 10 miles of that daily travel on the Interstate. Even in my Saturn SL2 it would have been tough to get 20 mpg in that traffic. In the Prius - 56.7 mpg. Priceless!

Also, I made a personal decision when dealing with all the messy maintenance issues with my 1988 Ford Tempo, that A) I would go get a Saturn SL2 when I had the money saved, then when the SL2 wore out I was going to buy a Hybrid. It was an educated guess on my part that Hybrids would happen about then. Then they happened 5 years ahead of my plan.

My linear circuits professor in college gave a presentation on his GM supported Chevy Vega Hybrid project. This was in 1979. A few years after college I heard about the invention of the IGBJT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Junction Transistor). I thought to myself that would be an excellent Hybrid Car switching device. And so it is, the Prius uses these made from special high temperature Semi-Conductor material. Then I heard about NiMh batteries - very usable batteries for hybrid cars. Just about then (1996), I was replacing my Tempo alternator on the side of two-lane country road 10 miles from the nearest town (my brother trucked the new alternator out to me) for the umteenth time, with literally a 1000 Harley Davidson motorcycles passing 2 feet from my head. I kid you not! It was some kinda of charity ride. Enough was enough!

I was nibbling around the websites investigating the Prius when Katrina happened, and Congress passed the $3150 rebate bill. I also for the first time spent over $25 for the weekly SL2 gas consumption. I literally told the gas attendant "Whoa -- Time to buy a Prius". When I first bought the Saturn, I marvelled at getting through a week on less than $10 of gas! The Planets had alligned!

After squeeling the tires out of the demo dealer's (they advertize on PC here) parking lot (they apparently had the traction control turned off on the demo Prius - this takes a scan tool I believe), and experiencing the effectiveness of the HSD on a warm fall day, I was sold. After first of the year I found a Prius 370 miles away that was not claimed yet, and hopped on the train out there. Drove it back. Everything local was sold for six months out! A few months later and $5000 richer with the SL2 sold to somebody who would save allot of gas with it (had a Dodge Intrepid with 200K miles not worth fixing). And 10 months after that Uncle Sam made me $3150 richer. So my out of pocket was only $16850 (including sales tax and transportation). Which is what my out of pocket was in 1999 for the Saturn!

The Prius has outdone the SL2 by a solid 20 mpg in all weather (more like 25 in cooler portion of summer). With gas in the $3.50 range around here last summer, the gas savings have been very good at around $550 dollars ($3.00/ga yearlly average, 12000 miles a year) for the first year. With brake ware savings (stop and go can be tough on brakes!) added in, and not starter or alternator to worry about - the Prius is quite economical for what it is.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DustinWS6 @ Apr 19 2007, 02:04 PM) [snapback]426323[/snapback]</div>

OK, so you're serious? I'll play along for a little while.

I'm not sure I understand the question. Do we not buy cars to drive them? And if we buy a car to drive it, and then we drive it - is it not useful? Help me out here? Millions and millions of people driving their boring cars to work and back every day... Even if I stipulate that the Prius is also boring - now you're driving a boring car that is better for the environment and national security. Would you rather drive even 5,000 miles in a 10-mpg car, or in a 50- mpg car? You don't have to "travel all the time" to enjoy the benefits of using less gas.

I have not chose the Prius as my "mode of transportation." Most of my miles are cover by bicycle. Next most are covered in my fully electric vehicle. The Prius is our secondary vehicle for long-distance driving (rare) and when we need two cars going different directions (rarer). I chose the Prius because there was no option to buy a full-featured Electric Vehicle. The Prius is the best vehicle on the market today for my needs. Enjoyable to drive, roomy, lots of gadgets and good gas mileage. My biggest complaint about the car? It uses petrol. A big step back from the Rav4EV that they began making in 1996.

 

1.) Hate paying money to people who hate us (Middle Eastern oil suppliers).
2.) I'm also cheap.
3.) Toyota reliability.
4.) Prius much cooler and more fun than you can imagine....
5.) Spacious and well planned.
6.) It does look like a mole crab, but they are cute.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DustinWS6 @ Apr 20 2007, 03:02 AM) [snapback]426596[/snapback]</div>

Its manly that we have gotten a lot of trolls here lately. They either bring up the hummer better than prius report that has been debunked like 1000 times here already or they come in and say why would you pic such a dumb car. Things like that. Typically these people own a gas guzzling truck/suv or have like you a sports car.

So when you came in simply asking basically why we have a prius. We saw this and saw the type of car you have and assumed you just wanted to stir up trouble but instead you are just trying to understand the car and or the people who drive it.

So what you see no problem with caused us to all out our guard up. Simply a point of view thing but why dwell on it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DustinWS6 @ Apr 19 2007, 03:04 PM) [snapback]426323[/snapback]</div>

How many times have you driven one before forming this opinion that they are boring to drive? You must not know about the features like the In-Dash Video Game and Role Playing Games: 1. Sneak up on Pedestrians, 2. Make the Blind Man Jump.

How is it useful? Well, it got me to work on time today, so I didn't get fired. This has allowed me to keep up on my mortgage payments so you won't see me standing at the bottom of any offramps.

The styling of Prius is truely unique. If you don't like it, Please do us all a favor and don't buy one.

 

reason 1) drive the carpool lane - saves 15-20 min each way.
reason 2) saves ~$200 gas per month - over bimmer and 4runner

(we probably would not have bought w/o hov lane benefit.)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ACD @ Apr 19 2007, 07:07 PM) [snapback]426385[/snapback]</div>

What a 'fantastic' name (and quite appropiate)...wish I had thought of that!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DustinWS6 @ Apr 19 2007, 11:02 PM) [snapback]426596[/snapback]</div>

Here's an eye-opener for you:
Some people (me, for example) care about other things as much, if not more, than saving money. There are far more important reasons to be driving a cleaner car. Gas mileage is great. But what of the fact that it burns so much cleaner (and is even cleaner when parked)? We don't pay at the pump what our gas costs us. We pay through our taxes and national debt, and national insecurity. We're doomed if every decision is made at the pocketbook level - without regard to the bigger picture - and without playing on a level, unsubsidized field. Gasoline is hugely subsidized. We're quickly running out of the time we have left of making our transportation decisions based on how cool our cars look, or how many multiples of the speed limit they can achieve.

Think a bit beyond what you pay at the pump. Think what burning gasoline costs us as a society. How it forms our national policy. How it kills people directly and indirectly. I'm getting all dramatic here, I realize - but this stuff is important. Way more important than the price of gas.

I'd have tried something without a demand as the one and only line you began with. How about mention WHY you are interested in this information. You began the same way many trolls do: Give me info, but I'll supply nothing but ridicule in return. You have since come back and explained yourself a bit, but it still doesn't mean you started off in the best fashion. Put the shoe on the other foot and see how your question sounds in regard to something that you enjoy and are familiar with. Seems a bit rude, yes?

 

this whole offset-the-cost argument gets old. the automatic trans, sport package, turbo, upscale wheels or whatever else you buy in premium doesn't pay you back anything, period. you wanna justify saving the $900 difference for an automatic to someone who doesn't have the first idea how to drive manual and no desire to learn?

our buying process was simple. we liked the prius. we liked some other cars. we decided we liked the prius most. we bought the prius. end of story.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priussoris @ Apr 19 2007, 05:56 PM) [snapback]426317[/snapback]</div>

I know what you mean, I'm currently driving a 2004 Jeep Gran Cherokee that I got when my Dad passed away last year. I finally got fed up with putting over $50 of gas a week in the tank and getting 15 mpg at best. Gas isn't gonna go down anytime soon, so I decided to go hybrid. I pick up my new Prius tomorrow, I'm so excited!!

I agree with an earlier post that I prefer not to keep buying a product that supports my enemies that wish to bring our country to our knees. Too bad there's not a totally electric version, I'd buy it.

I kept on seeing a Prius on my way to work everyday and liked it's looks and the idea of changing to a high MPG vehicle. Especially as the price of gas kept going up and up. When my husband and I actually test drove one, I was sold on it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DustinWS6 @ Apr 20 2007, 12:02 AM) [snapback]426596[/snapback]</div>

What cheaper cars come equipped with all the features that the Prius offers? In case that you are not familiar with the car, I will list some my favorites to you, GPS navigation system, Bluetooth, voice activation, key less entry and start, HID headlights, backup camera, tire pressure monitoring, fully automatic climate control system and an in dash six CD changer.