Hating the Prius

I live in Victoria BC so the winters here are not severe as they can be in other parts of Canada (the reason we retired here from Ontario 8 years ago!). Therefore given that the temperature seldom dips below freezing in the winter nor climbs into sweating temperatures in summer, here have been my calculated gas savings since buying my 2009 Prius in Oct of 2009. I purchased a 2003 PT Cruiser GT new in 2003 when we moved here and sold it for the Prius.

I am using today's cost of gasoline in Victoria for these calculations. Gas is $1.169 per litre which translates to $5.31 per Imp Gallon (approx $4.25 per US Gallon).

On the Prius I have averaged 5.1 litres per 100 Km (using Fuelly, see my signature below) which is 55 Imp MPG (approx 44 US MPG) since I bought it. I have put 11600 miles on it in 15 months of ownership. That's an average of 773 miles per month.

I averaged 18 Imp. MPG (approx. 14.4 US MPG) over 37600 miles of ownership on the PT Cruiser, 2003 to 2009. That's an average of 522 miles per month.

If I were to still have the PT Cruiser now, this month's average gas would have cost me (773 miles ÷ 18 MPG x $5.27/gal) $226.31.
With the same mileage on the Prius, this month's average gas is costing me (773 miles ÷ 55 MPG x $5.27/gal) $74.07, a savings of $152.24

Each month I calculate the savings like this and put the difference into a separate bank account. Over 15 months I have accumulated $1875.00 which I will use for Prius repairs (none yet) and upgrades (added heated seats, vent shades and block heater). When I sell the car, anything left over will go towards the new car cost.

One very valid reason for my buying a Prius - or any hybrid car for that matter.

 

I can remember every comment that every person I have met has said about my car, good and bad. Thats how f*****g polarizing this car is. If any one is interested, I'll gladly write the list.

 

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5003/5362469001_8b3d63e6f1_z.jpg

 

Sometimes it takes a simple calculation. I drove an Explorer before buying my Prius. Got about 16MPG. I now get about 50 MPG in my Prius. So, here's something most people can understand (this requires some math):

Assume the price of gas is $3/gallon. My Prius gets better than 3 times the gas mileage as my Explorer (or other cars as you've all posted). So, the relationship is that when they pay $3/gallon, we pay $1/gallon. That one bothers my friends.

Mike

 

Every time the price of gas goes up, the hatred meter will climb upwards. Is it better to be able to afford to drive where you need to go, or is it better to make everyone else happy? I prefer the former option.

 

Now that is funny

 

I don't know about you guys, but I've about had it with people who hate on the Prius.

Most of them know nothing about the car or how it operates! Someone even said "Yeah, and how many nuclear plants does it take to charge the piece of s***?"

All I could say back to him was "Wow, your user name says it all" (His user name is Hill0Billy). Then I said "It's not worth my time trying to educate you about the car. You can't educate those who don't want to be educated."

 

+1!

 

I figure someone has to represent the 3rd gen Prius.



Even though I did it, I do not recommend it. The car sucked (I should say the traction control sucked) and it was way too harsh on it. If not for that, I probably would finish 2nd or 3rd.

 

I SO want to do that! I'm considering entering a couple of autox's this year just to see what the Gen III is capable of on a closed course. I won the STL area CSP class in my Miata 3 years straight, but that car was purpose built for autox. I'm really curious how the Prius would handle. I'm guessing not horribly well based on the braking and traction control systems. But still, it would be a HELLUVA lot of fun to lay the smack down on some Subi driving Prius h8rs. LOL

 

All you have to say is ...

I go to the gas station after 400 miles and pump in 8 gallons or about $24 or $26 to refill the tank

It's a very good car that's easy on the wallet too, plus the ladies dig it

 

Here in Cali the Prius is the official state car.
What I really like about owning a hybrid (Honda Civic hybrid before the Gen III) is that no one knows whether you are rich or average because the car may be viewed by people as statement about your environmental views rather than your socio-economic status.

 

I have never experienced the so called "prius hate". Every time I talk to someone about my car (including a policeman, a race car driver and a Porsche driver) they are all amazed and interested in it.
why do they hate it? I can't wrap my mind around it. Is it cause because for them its ugly? I've seen much uglier cars driver by teens

 

Unless these other people either paid for your car or pay for your gas fill-ups, they don't get a voice in how and why you choose to drive the car you do. Or, start charging $$$ to answer that question. People will either pay up or stop asking altogether.

And if it REALLY bothers you (or anyone else here) remove the Prius badge and the Hybrid badge and let the car look like a generic Toyota hatchback with just the Toyo badge insignia. Without the badge telling people that it's a Prius, I doubt most people would realize it on their own (unless they happen to drive a Prius as well).

 

I would have removed the Hybrid badges, if not for that hole in the metal underneath.

 

Already tried that too. It's not going to win any trophies, but it won't finish last given the right condition either. It is fun to see people's faces when they see themselves finishing behind a Prius. Here is a tip. If you are going to go, pick the wettest day possible. If you have good tires, the traction control should shut up and you should be able to squeeze a good finish with it. The CVT and the low power is great for rain.

Here are some problems with the Prius running at the limit.
#1 Traction control can't be turned off
#2 Rear end is very twitchy at the limit
#3 Runs out of steam at like 45mph
#4 Steering is too slow, cant get through slow tight turns
#5 Blind spot is too much, especially on tight left handers.
#6 Body roll

On the other hand, the center console is great as you can grab onto it while the car is leaning hard from side to side. Things also move so slow that you have time to think about different lines and what is for dinner.

Car was also on Pocono Raceway for a few laps, I just couldn't resist.

 

I believe the numero uno reason some people will 'ewwww' the Prius is ...

the overall shape of the car. Now, I'm not hating, just stating what I think is true. What they see is the overall shape, the silhouette of the car. We know that Kammback shape is for supreme function - one of the lowest Cd's of any road car.

They see - an egg, a computer mouse, a jelly bean, a 'different' looking car.

But, the Prius could be a surprising thing to those who'd just give it a try. Some may have a epiphany when they drive a Prius for the first time. It is still Thee most fuel efficient car one can buy in North Am (I'm not even going to compare to a Volt).

Maybe try this tactic for poo-pooers - advise them to spend some time looking at climate change on the governing authority websites - the EPA, NOAA, IPCC. the authorities say it's happening and most likely due to our burning fossil fuels. Make your own decision. And then there's the importing of oil from middle East.

 

All the above said, I think it is very good these 2 cars are coming along this year - the Prius v and Lexus CT200h.

Prius v is more mainstream looking than reg prius, of course. Many don't want that sloped down looking rear of regular Prius. But, they'll get the Prius drive train! And 40 MPG is not bad at all (I'll be interested to see the curb weight).

OTOH, the Lexus CT200h will appeal to those looking for a sporting ride but are into hybrids. I think the CT will do alright. At least I sure hope so. I don't see too many Audi A3's or Mazda3 hatchbacks, so it's tough to tell how the CT will do. But, the car makes quite a bit of sense for those who must have some sport and luxury.

 

I've never been one to drive cars very hard. I saved that for sport bikes - they are so much cheaper to wring out.






btw, that FZ1 at top was a great bike. Could do anything as good the low-bars repli racers on the street ... without the backache

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