Anyone buy the Prius not just for the MPG?

I wish there was the ability for multiple choice. No one factor led my to decide on the Prius. Granted I wanted to purchase a more fuel effecient car to drive around the city but the Prius appealed to the enviromental conscious side of me as well as the tech side. Beside that I like the unique styling of the Prius; it stands out from other smaller cars.

 

I did not answer the question because none of your choices fit for me. I bought DH his Prius for Christmas 2003 because I was enthralled with the technology and his car was getting to the point where things were going to need major $$ issues in the near future. But I didn't seriously think about getting one for me until I saw the Gen II body style - I love hatchbacks. It was love at first sight - the best of both worlds. That's when I decided what my Corolla would be replaced with as soon as I could afford one.

 

Like a number of responders, I am not answering the poll because there were many features that I like. I have commented on this on other threads - my main decision points were safety, room for 4 adults, with the driving seat all the way back, and my wife approved the style. Eco friendly - bonus , mpg - bonus , great techy stuff - definite bonus , being different from the herd - bonus .

Now if you had a couple of other options such as other and all of the above, then I would have voted.

 

Contrary to other people replying, I voted, knowing full well that this is not a scientific study and the results are not being published. It's all in good fun.

I picked "car of the future" because that pretty much encapsulates all the things I love about it... the tech, the emissions, MPG, style... and I also happen to "just like it."

I can see where some people would say it's "funny looking," but I think it's pretty cool. Not a cluttered design like a lot of other cars, even the Camry now, I really dislike the new styling, but the Prius is so clean and simple... you see one approaching head-on and it looks like a little UFO, and from the side it looks kinda sporty.

 

My wife just plain liked the car. We were originally were looking at a Matrix and the dealer just happened to have one on the lot. A quick test drive, the technology and the rebates ($3100 fed and $1500 state of Oregon) hooked me. After a year and a half I still think it's a great ride.

-m

 

we really do need a "select all that apply"

but i did not answer simply because my #1 reason is not listed.

1. Its a Toyota: by the time the Gen 2 came around i had been pretty much a 100% Toyota convert for nearly two decades. i knew that version 2 would be done right simply because that is what they do best, that is why they are #1

al the other selections listed are a close 2nd for sure.

 

I agree with everything that's been said so far,
high tech,mileage and low polluter....but

the overall major factor for me was ....

I feel that we must change from supporting
destructive, one directional technologies to supporting clean
competent technologies which consider the environment and quality of life.
---to me the prius was a step forward in that toyota took a risk
producing this product, i wanted to personally support their investment and motivation in this
area...for better results in the future.

Froley

 

Like those above, I had several criteria.

1. It had to be about the same cost as my previous car ($20,000)

2. It had to get good mileage.

3. It had to be an automatic.

4. It had to be able to carry people, haul cargo. I was looking for a four door.

I think the things that sold the Prius above and beyond this list was the hatchback and the low emissions. Other cars could meet 1-4 but not the low emissions AND the hatchback. And none of the cars that could match the Prius for mileage and low emissions could meet all of the other criteria. The Insight came closest but failed the people/cargo test.

 

I love this car! I bought it for several reasons one of them was because I just like it. others include its green, it gets good gas mileage, its new tech or was, and at the time not many people had one.

 

This car's features literally has me screaming all over it.

Just a bit about me
1. I am a techie -
I have been dabbling with computers all my life, and playing computer games, and even though i go to a non-techie industry, whenever colleagues need a new PC set up or need info about a new mp3 player, they look for me.

2. I am green -
In the chinese tradition, it is customary to serve Shark's Fins at wedding dinners (the elders will think it is inappropriate if you cannot afford this delicacy for your wedding) But for my wedding, i insisted that "No Sharks will be harmed in the production of the wedding". So sharks' fins weren't served at my wedding, and i really hope to put across a message to my guests (unfortunately not all heed). Well, they have their choice.

So, driving a prius will tell all these about me. Its high tech, its green, its tomorrow's technology today and on top of that it looks damn cool.

 

I needed a car because my Cavalier Z24 convertible was t-boned and totalled in an accident where my head hit the side window. So, although I had loved my snug, zippy little convertible, I definitely wanted side air bags for safety, but wanted an overall good, safe, reliable car.

I started out looking at small cars like the Scion and the Corolla, but they felt like the rubber-band was going to break before I could accellerate onto the highway, and the driver's side window just seemed TOO close. The dealer had me test drive a Camry - it was ok, but more money than I wanted to pay. He had a used Prius and I test-drove that, and I was hooked - it was peppier than the Camry, was HUGE inside, and got great mileage.

I didn't think I'd be able to get a Prius because they had been in such short supply (this was April, 2006), but I started calling and emailing dealers, and within a few days I had my choice of 3 in accepaable packages and colors (I didn't want silver - they're 'invisible' and it was a silver car that t-boned me, and I didn't really want black because it gets too hot in the summer). I drove mu Prius home 8 days after my accident, 6 days after my first trip to a dealer.

The roominess, reliablity and safety were my most important considerations, but the MPG, environmental considerations and 'high tech' stuff were all plusses!

 

One of my many personality quirks is a dislike of too many options, since that only gives me more ways to screw up.

In the case of the Prius, I was forced into getting a new-to-me vehicle in early 2005. Since I was doing well at the time, I thought I'd spoil myself with a new car (instead of used, which all my previous vehicles had been). Being past my roaring 20s, and aware that I'd spend most of my time commuting and road-tripping, I was shopping for high MPG. Also, the care before my previous car was a hatchback, and I really appreciated the extra utility that body style could offer.

At the time -- early 2005 -- putting those requirements together got me to the Prius as the only option. I wouldn't have minded something a bit smaller, but the Insight was too much (and it was already showing signs of corporate neglect). As others said, I had expected to have to get onto waiting lists, but a local dealer had a car that was 99% of what I was looking for, so I got it.

Very happy with the wee beastie so far, and expect to have it in the family for another 5+ years.

More rationalization and discussion: http://tkil.livejournal.com/tag/prius