Prius is a "no sell" to most, why ???

Hi Dorf,

There are few things going on. One is the funded Hybrid bashing widely published in the media. Even Rush Limbaugh and George Will have bashed the Prius using this false information as the source.

Second, is the basic fear of the new. While not exactly new technology (the basics of the Toyota Hybrid System were patented in the 70's by TRW), the Prius was the first to bring this technology to market.

Third is the Prius is said to be an eco-car. To many who accept the propaganda from car companies, its not possible to make a reasonable performing car that is any better than what has been produced for 30 years. And that there MUST be some compromise. And that compromise people see as status failing. SO, they go out and buy an Acura or Infinity.

 

An interesting theory on status failing, Donee. As for lack of enthusiasm of many people to the Prius, it must be a combination of listening to your neighbor, fellow workers, Rush etc. I think that each person that actually test drove a Prius would have positive thoughts about it. Although I heard a story of an older couple that bought a Prius and then traded it in for a car that didn't give such a harsh ride. Then many people just are not into technology, like the couple mentioned. Many people are actually not into facts and/or reality, so they believe anything they hear. Especially if, they are already predispossed to this negative opinion, ie: Prius. Anyway I'm overjoyed that people like this exist, that allows people like us to benefit more from less demand. I am totally amazed also that customers have not been flocking to dealerships and sucking up all the Prii. As they say, "To each his own"

 

Fact is there are hundreds of models and variations on the market, there is no perfect car for everyone.
If I didn't have another car to tow a trailer now and then, no Prius.
The Prius suits more people than realise it but that's how it is.

Don't let it bother you, what other people think of you (or your choices) is none of your business.

 

For most of the folks that I've spoken to about owning a Prius, the dominant
mindset seems to be a reluctance to, as they see it, complicate their life
with a new unfathomable technology. It is not an actively negative point of
view, it seems more to do with being comfortable with what is familiar. You
could call it being stuck in the past.

The HV battery remains a source of suspicion; their main experience being
with a flashlight in a drawer with dead batteries when it is needed, or a
remembered story of a friend's battery failure at a particularly significant or
embarrasing moment.

The idea that the Prius has not one but many CPU/ECUs is not comforting
either. Most have experienced a hard disk crash or other fatal computer
event. And usually, they do not know whether their current vehicle even has
an engine control, ABS and other computers; it almost certainly does.

These issues are of course related to a lack of information -- I'm reluctant to
call it ignorance. Because most folks get their information from TV and/or
the popular press, what they get, and therefore "know" or at least believe,
comes by way of sound bites. (And those are often colored or slanted by the
need to get or keep advertising revenues.) Not a good way to learn about
hybrids and the need to rethink the options for your next vehicle purchase.

Because there are so few real hybrids on the market, they are seen as
exotic, elitist, unconventional, "foreign," -- at least to their experience --
you name it. I suspect that as more car makers, and especially the
Detroit 0.3 bring real hybrids to the market, the technology will become
more widely discussed and better understood, and these passively negative
folks will slowly change their minds.

Of course, gas going back up to $3+ a gallon would do a lot to hasten that
change.

 

I have no idea what you're talking about. It seems like half the cars I see on the road are Prii.

 

It's pretty obvious why the Prius is a hard sell: It's over priced, under sized, and about as fun to drive as a toaster. Add to that the high maintenance costs and the need to replace a very expensive battery on a routine basis and you can see why no one wants one. Maybe if you only do a lot of city driving, but I have heard that they are no good on the highway.

Tom

 

Hehe, are you in the market for a new Prius

 

Hi dorf,

Please tell us what are the popular vehicles that are being sold in your area. From that we might be able to speculate as to the reasons for the relative lack of Prius interest in your geographic region.

 

It has taken me a year to do it, but with the right AC settings, SOC readings
in the green, complicated by pretty much random inputs from the "guess gauge,"
I can pretty regularly toast white bread to a golden crust -- an EV switch is
neither needed nor helpful.

But, I'm still struggling with the bagels... almost always burned. Maybe this
year.

 

Well after my experience at a Toyota dealer I'm totally turned off of anything Toyota, the arrogance of the sales people blew me away. Not only were they not willing to move even a penny off the list price they wouldn't even consider taking my current car in as a trade... After test driving the prius I was very disappointed in the handling. I could handle the lack of acceleration but the car handled terribly, like an old man's car. I was hoping the 2010 would be better but after seeing pictures frankly it is very ugly and a step down from the current model.... I am going to wait to see how the Insight looks/handles in person.

 

Thats just ridiculous. If you install an EBH, bagels too will be evenly golden brown. Everyone knows that.

 

Hi Andyprius,

Well, I do not listen Rush or George. I know about their comments from posts on Prius Chat. I do get crap from my coworkers, none of which have test driven a Prius. The thing is, people do not even try it out because of the disinformation campaign against the car. Two of the four mechanical engineers at work like the HSD concept, just not the Prius status symbol value. In fact they wont admidt they like the Prius drive train idea in the presense of the other two M.E's. The company enviormental engineer actually got an Acura rather than a Prius based primarily on the smear campaign regarding the Nickel mining. If I did not have decades of Hybrid Car lurking (I actually proposed doing a Hybrid Car project out of my old Opel Manta with the Fox Valley Electric Vehicle Guys - and was put-off by their response), I might have also have fallen for the disinformation.

Walter...

I did not experience any arogance from any Toyota sales people. Quite the opposite. It was difficult to get their attention, dressed in my weekend clothes, as they were all busy selling other cars to people who apparently appeared to have money (had no Prius at the time). I ended up negotiating on line, and then showed up in cold weather travelling clothes on foot 400 miles away with check in hand. As this was a more northern area, I imagine they were more used to people like me, as it did not seem to phase them. Last time I was in the local Toyota to get filters, I got nothing but respect. Again, in my weekend clothes.

The Prius is quicker than my previous car, a GM product. Remeber, there is no shifting anti-Gs to give you an illiusion of more accellerating G's. The Prius has its best accelleration between 15 and 50 mph. In merging duels it becomes apparent how good a Prius is in this speed range. Although, I avoid that merge zone now, to hypermile. So I do not have to demonstrate what the Prius can do daily.

The handling issues I was aware of from Prius Chat, and also the BT Tech plate. The BT Tech plate takes care of 90 % of that problem. There are other add-ons that probably get the car to 95 % of a second generation Scirocco (best handling front wheel drive car I have ever driven, I imagine there are better).

 

So now I know, EBH = Electric Bagel Heater. And what, you stick it through
the hole in the bagel?

And here I thought it was for the engine block. Silly me.

My only question is; Will the EBH fit in the slot dash under the CD changer
where I toast the white bread?

 

I got grief from my coworkers and friends when I told them I was buying a Prius. My coworkers wish they got my gas mileage and my friends were impressed with the how the Prius drove. I don't know if any of them would buy a Prius. I don't care. I'm over 40 and really don't worry about what anyone really thinks about what I buy or don't buy.

From a social standpoint I look at the Prius kinda like the Dallas Cowboys of the 70's. A perennial winner that tends to either be hated or loved with not much in between.

My two cents worth.

 

I haven't shopped for a car lately but I believe the current market conditions should have kicked the arrogance out of everyone at the dealerships. When I was hanging out at the Chevy dealer on my own time the guys being paid to hang out were pleasant & outnumbered potential customers. I would expect any warm body on a dealer's lot would be given attention & respect at least up to when it is discovered there is no job, no down payment, a mortgage & credit card debt.

If we get to the point where people actually need to be able to pay for what they buy I expect auto sales will drop another 50%.

I suspect the only manufacturer not having a problem selling cars is Tesla (unless I don't know about the disappearance of the waiting list).

 

~15 million cars and light trucks are sold in the US each year, and Prius sales volume at best is ~175K units/year, so Prius sales amount to ~1% of US sales. Considering that the West and Northeast take a disproportionate share of Prius sales, the rest of the country must make do with much less than 1% of new car sales being Prius.

Therefore if you live outside the West and Northeast, expect to speak to > 100 people before you will find 1 who will be sufficiently interested to put $$ down and buy a Prius!

Regarding Tesla, is there news more recent than this:
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/tesla-ceo-denies-bankruptcy-rumors-seeks-20m-5098.html

According to that article, only 60 vehicles were sold while the backlog is 1,200 units. That sales volume will not impress the traditional auto mfrs.

 

Some of the comments I hear at work (lots of blue collar folks) are -

- It looks like a cheese wedge
- It's too small
- The special battery will go out someday and cost thousands to replace.

- One of the smarter dudes checked out his brother's and thought it was nice.

--------
I was not considering a Prius early on. Was looking at the '09 Matrix S. Fellow rider on a motorcycle forum mentioned he had the older Matrix, got a Prius and wished he'd done so earlier. I got curious enough. Went to dealer to measure for cargo space, ended up on a test drive of course.

I like the way it drove and sure liked the electric drive a lot.

I really like the car. I don't say I just love it. Then again, I don't drive it a bunch, only have 2k miles in 4 months. Bit more power, fresh styling, fully adustable seats, ergos and might be talking love then. Plus, it's a rather pricey car for its size.

Rather not sell mine before it's old though.

 

I don't think the 2010 Prius will generally be regarded as uglier, rather, it has much improved styling.

Car and Driver says Prius handling is not so great, but when they refer to good handling, they seem to be talking about carving corners.

You could try another Toyota dealer. If they have an arrogant general manager, then the whole dealership might be the same. Look for a top rated dealer in customer satisfaction.

 

Consumer Reports rates the Prius Touring handling much better vs. non-Touring.