genuine curiosity: why do all you like the Prius so much (i promise, not a troll thread.)

I, for one, am very much looking forward to iraqiswhack's response to everyone's postings. It takes some degree of guts to post a question like his--and it sure stimulated a lot of interesting reading on a slow and snowy Sunday. We have to thank him for that.

So iraqiswhack, how about it? Have you changed your opinions at all about the Prius? Or is it still an all-Audi world for you?

 

iraqiswhack,

by far, the #1 driving benefit of a Gen2 Prius is outstanding, stupendous fuel economy. I have refilled the tank 4 times. Driven mostly city with about 1/3 miles highway. Here is the average fuel economy based on miles driven divided by fuel pumped in to refill -

#1 - 58.53 mpg
#2 - 55.3
#3 - 49.51
#4 - 59.59 mpg

note - the averages vary a lot due to the bladder inside the fuel tank and variance in fuel nozzle shutoff.

... for a lifetime average of -> 55.73 mpg

my in-car display is also showing 55 to 56 mpg average.

No hypermiling here, just driving with flow of traffic. Try to be smooth though.

Is the Prius a sports car? No
Is it virtually perfect? No

Does it have a smooth, fairly cushy, reasonably quiet ride? Yes

Do I like rolling through parking lots, or cruising over 30 mph on battery alone? Yes

So, bring on more electric drive capability and decrease the smelly gas consumption.

 

we got the car with the long haul in mind- lowest operating cost over time. the car itself is pretty cool, and at the time we bought it wasn't exactly a common sight on local roads. the concept is vastly different from any other car we had driven.

we'll get a fun weekend toy someday. it's not for lack of want now, but for now it's more important to masterfully manipulate the finances than to have more than we really need on several fronts.

 

Granted, I got mine when everyone had them. I had wanted one since I got my license in 2006 but I couldn't afford one back then and my parent's weren't going to shell out $23,000+ for a first car.

 

Only one more question/request and I'll shut up...POST A PICTURE! I want to see this :rockon::rockon:

 

I must say, good job on making it look good and not overdoing it like a lot of cars i've seen. It looks completely stock, even with the larger wheels/tires. No large park benches out back:mod:

 

Perhaps unintentionally, you've explained why you came here, fresh from Iraq. In 1972, I was in the Marine Corps on Okinawa Japan and Richard Nixon was President. I had just turned 22 and at last could vote, absentee. I made sure to get my ballot and return it in plenty of time to vote for George McGovern. I knew Nixon was not going to get us out of Vietnam and the Marines had no business being there or sending me to Okinawa. So I'm of two minds about your posting:

• Iraq tour - you've paid your dues, burn up as much fuel as you can
• Iraq tour - burning up fuel led to Iraq

In 1972 before going to Okinawa, I drove a '72 VW microBus with a 1.5 L engine, same size as my 03 Prius. On a good day, I could get about 55 hp, which was enough to push that bus, a one bed room, and cruse down the highway at 60 mph and get about 28 MPG. Today, my Prius has a little less space, a little more peak power and can even sleep one:


Good Prius friend Hobbit has mods for his NHW20 enough to call it 'Hotel Prius.' It comes from seeking utility, functionality, and getting more from less.

Knock on wood, you'll not have to go back although bin Laden remains a free man. But your time in the service may end soon enough that it won't be an issue. Just remember that every time you fill your tank, it writes another ticket back to Iraq.

Bob Wilson

 

Because the superfluous entertainment you derive from riding your car is killing the world.

The question is why you and many other people can not understand that just because you like and can do it doesn't mean you should it if it hurts other people.

 

Why do I have a Prius? It gets good gas mileage in a practical package. That is what I like about it.

What don't I like? The economy car interior and uncomfortable seats. The poor and floaty handling. The handling will get fixed when the tires and stock suspension wears out just like on my Jetta. (The Jetta got bilstein struts, neuspeed springs, and all new bushings and bearings at 110k miles and runs on Falken ZE-512's)

I used to want a M3 but not anymore. Why? I realized street cars are slow. Even highly tuned and purpose built cars. You see I started riding motorcycles when I was 18 and by the time I was your age had a Yamaha FJ1200. 155mph and a 0-60 time quicker than a corvette all for $3000.

By the time I was 24 I had a Kawasaki ZX-7rr. That bike was even quicker and would run 80 mph in 1st gear! I also did lots of stupid stuff on that bike pretending that the TN back roads were a race track.

Then my brother started racing and I did some endurance races with him. I quickly found out that: 1) I wasn't nearly as quick as I thought and 2) coming off a bike at speed is better done at a racetrack were there aren't trees and guardrails to hit.

I'm now 30 and have a BMW R1150R and a classic '72 Kawasaki KZ400. The BMW is way more comfortable than the ZX-7 and I can take my wife. It is still quicker than 90% of cars though I don't ride more than ~ 60% on the streets anymore.

In 10 years I've learned that:
1) Cars are transportation
2) Motorcycles are fun
3) Racing is to be done on racetracks

 

Re: adrenaline. Boy, the stupid things I have done on a bicycle. I'm lucky to be alive. Now that I am old, going out on the trails is about all my heart can handle.

 

We bought a Prius because we needed a second car for running errands around town. I also make an 8 hour round trip drive to see my family about every 4-5 weeks. We both work from home, so commuting isn't an issue. We bought the Prius because it met all of our needs PLUS it is fun to drive, we love how it looks, drives/handles perfectly fine for our driving needs, is better for the environment, and supports 'green' technology. Price-wise, the Prius actually came in well below what we had planned to spend on a 2d car. Our other vehicle is a mini-van, which we need for the dogs.

I'm 34, married with 12 dogs. Our 'thrills' and 'hobbies' don't come from our cars....they are pretty much just practical choices for us. The fact that I love the Prius and it makes me smile every time I see it/drive it is a huge bonus. I'm averaging 51.3 MPG, which is beyond my expectations when we bought the car.

The only thing I don't like about it is I wish the seat went back a little further, though that's a trade off in driving a smaller car than what I'm used to (the mini-van and before that a Jeep Liberty).

 

I thought I wanted a car with gobs of power. I had a Nissan Spec-V, previously. It was fun to drop down a gear and punch it through the corners. I was directed to the Prius by a good friend who's parents owned a gen 1. I really didn't want to give up manual, power, and handling. When I test drove the Prius, i knew it was going to be the car for me. It was bursting with technology, and I figured I could make the car into something I really love.

After I took delivery, I started my upgrades, almost immediately. The sound system got done first. Then the handling upgrades began; Struts, springs, braces and more braces. My Prius gobbles up the corners, with some room to go beyond the limits, thanks to stability control. This is my everything car. My daily driver, my excursion vehicle, and my fun vehicle, which I drive A LOT. Best of all, it costs less than half to maintain and fuel this vehicle, compared to my last car.

 

I don't like the Prius for reasons that more seasoned PC posters know all too well, but I do enjoy Prius Chat.

 

I started my own company, as fun as it was to pull up in a red Supra with the top off and when you could hear me coming from miles it seemed to put off some customers.

When you show up in a reliable but still technology advance machine that can hold 3 clients and myself comfortably as well as carry equipment in the trunk it a bit more professional but still a fun conversational piece. Also to avoid having higher "trip fees" having a car that doesnt require premium at every fill up is a plus.

 

OK, to start with, I'm a car guy.
My passion is collector cars.
I have a 66 and 67 Dodge Coronet Convertibles
I have a 66 and 73 T-Bird
A 77 Lincoln Continental Mark V
A 96 Indy Ram
And 4 Corvairs

I lovce to go to car shows, cruise nights, and sometimes vacations in my collector cars. I would love to drive them everywhere, but it is not practical.

The Prius, to me, is transportation.
But.........
I don't drive anything I am not passionate about to some degree.
Its the mileage, a car I am comrfortable in driving.
Can take it on vacations as needed, and suits my daily driver needs.
It also satisfies the techno geek in me.
Has a decent stereo, and gets great gas mileage.
And I don't have to screw around with it too much.............

 

So far in 74,000 miles, I've found no reason not to like the Prius. It does everything it was advertised to do, and more. Most trouble free car and well thought out car I've ever owned.

 

I like the Prius because its quiet. Its smooth. The only jerk you feel is when the gas engine comes on. Otherwise, its like driving a golf cart with truckloads of power (compared to golf carts).

Its spooky to be parked at a red light in a busy city and hear damn near everything going on outside because you don't have the constant hum of a gas engine going. Also, the lack of vibration makes it a very nice ride.