Just bought my first Prius last week!

Congrats and :welcome:

 

I think it's because what excites people about the Prius is the technology, the mileage and the quiet, smooth ride when the engine's off. Many people aren't interested in those things: they may focus on comfort, luxury, power, handling, space or other utility.

But, in truth, I think that most people aren't that interested in cars. Enthusing to them is just going to make them want to run away.

Good decision not to care about the doubters and deniers. If they ever ride in the car they'll see the numbers displayed. Then you can say, humbly, "But it does over-report up to 6%, so it might only be <still a large number>". (Your 50.5 is probably between 47 and 48, but that's still pretty good, especially breaking in at this time of year). Those who simply deny it are hard to convince since they don't want to hear the truth. They'll always come up with something else.

But many owners here have reported that they've "converted" people by getting them to experience the car.

There's a market research statistic called "consideration". That's the percentage of people who would even consider purchasing something. Just getting consideration is a huge barrier due to preconception, ignorance and image. In 2006 a market research company* found 45% hybrid consideration if gas rose to $3.75. Earlier this year it was 93% if gas rose to $4.50. The number of buyers is small, but the Prius has proved hybrid technology itself to enough people that the remaining (and legitimate) barrier is cost.

So, you might find people ask you about it if they're considering one. Just try to temper your enthusiasm.

* the infamous CNW

 

Enjoy the car and the mileage. Lots of info here. The more you learn the better you will do in driving the car. Have fun with it.

 

Welcome to Prius!

The Prius is very popular here in the San Francisco area. I just put my 2010 Prius on Craigslist, and I got swamped with buyers. Gas prices are well over $4/gallon here and expected to hit $5 this summer.

Maybe it's not as exciting as a new Audi TT or a Mustang. It's a smart, economical car. My lifetime, actual mileage is over 48 MPG, so it really does work! You've found the place where people ARE excited about Prius, we're happy to have you and we hope you stick around. You can learn everything there is to know about your car here, from mileage techniques to maintenance to repairs, radio upgrades, and everything else.

Why don't you start with a visit to www.fuelly.com and set up a mileage tracker account? I have an iPhone, and I keep a Shortcut to Fuelly on my home screen. This takes me straight to the "add fuel up" screen every time I get gas. Enter gallons, enter miles on the trip odo, reset the trip odometer, and you're all set! I showed Fuelly to buyers; it was one thing that convinced them to buy my car. Along with the maintenance records, it proves that the car was well cared for and likely to last. Since Prius needs oil changes at 10,000 intervals (although I changed at 5,000 intervals), maintenance is very easy.

 

Welcome and congrats! Let the fun begin.

 

Somebody needs to make a bumper sticker for us that reads: "It's a Prius thing. You wouldn't understand."

I think it's too bad people aren't more knowledgeable about the Prius-- Most people have been fed years of anti-Prius falsehoods like "a hummer is more green" and that a Prius needs to have its battery changed for $5000 every few years.

The truths that most people don't know about the Prius, aside from the fuel economy, is the fact that the Prius is more reliable and needs much less maintenance than normal cars (no need for a brake job until well after 150,000 miles, no timing belt, starter motor or alternator to break down and go bad, and a bulletproof transmission that has no gear-shifting wear-and-tear).

Do all you can to spread the gospel, and enjoy your Prius as much as we all do ours! :thumb:

 

Well, plus there is the whole problem of some groups just dissing the Prius or not caring about the Prius. We do have a few threads where CNN, for instance and some other reviewers stating the Prius is rather 'boring'.

Of course, a lot of the reviewers are the type that like power cars or cars that give them a thrill. The Prius isn't really designed to be a 'thriller' and with the gas engine tending to sound loud when you do put in a strain on it, more so than a real power car would, I am supposing there are people with very high expectation downplaying the economic power of the Prius.

I played with the Chevy Volt and noticed the 'slight' speed difference, even though it is a 2 second difference and the fact the Volt is pushed Electrically with an ICE to be a generator for recharging on the fly. I found it funny that the Volt had a Global Warming Scale of 10, but a Smog Score of 6, listening to the dealer to 'ignore that' and the Prius has a 10 and 8.

 

I saw a Prius v with a bumper sticker that said, My Prius is bigger than yours

 

Congrats.. red is nice. And ignore the haters, just enjoy your car and smile.

@Keichi.. the CARB approved Volts will also be 10/8.. the non-carb ones were 10/6. And FYI Prius varies by state. In my state prius is 10/7.

 

Congratulations on your new Prius. As the weather gets warmer you will see the Mpg rise due to the hybrid battery functioning better in warmer temperatures. Enjoy!

 

I got mine last Saturday - a Model II. I traded a Volvo station wagon, a very reliable car. Before that I owned a Camry station wagon - a lemon. So I was a little concerned about buying another Toyota, but everyone told me that the Prius is very reliable. I looked forward to doubling my gas mileage, but didn't understand the fascination with maximizing efficiency. Now I do, after four days of ownership, and two 56 mile round trips to work, I'm averaging 56 miles/gallon. One gallon/work day, very nice. I'm completely caught up in finding ways to increase the mpg. I just hope this turns out to be a reliable car.

 

Mechanically, the Prius is much simpler than your Volvo, so in that respect it will be much more reliable than your Volvo. Your Prius has all of 27 moving parts (permanently engaged gears) in its transmission, no gear-shifting wear-and-tear, versus 100+ in your Volvo. And unlike your Volvo, the Prius has no timing belt, alternator or starter motor to wear out.

It's the electronics in the Prius that is complicated. As long as the electronics hold up and you keep the car well-maintained, it wouldn't be unusual to have the Prius remain trouble free even well after its hybrid system warranty (10 years / 150,000 miles in CARB states) expires.

I think you will be pleased.

 

Susabelle14, living in a Washington Suburb myself (Ellicott City, MD) and commuting to DC everyday, I am seeing more and more and more Prii parked around Capitol Hill, and on my commute. There are one or two parked every block along my route. I think we are making in-roads. So I think you are in a good crowd.

No need to worry about others' opinion of your car, just be prepared to like it more and more. I have had very few minor problems in the 2 years and 42K miles I have on mine, and am still averaging 49 indicated, even with new Michelin tires that are not low rolling resistance.

I know out your way they are still very much into SUV's. Oh well, if someone doesn't like what I am stating about my car, I just ask them what they like most about their car, and that gives me some insight - not that you should get an Insight (or Unsight-ly): they have lots of problems. Anyway... Welcome, and enjoy the benefits.

 

" So far I absolutely love my car !! "

That all that really matters.