Rise of the Neo-Greens

When was the research done? The heck, I got my Prius for a bargin if I count the $3,150 tax credit. I did the math and the extra cost $2k (in next 5 years and used $3 gas avg -- turning out to be too conservative) was justified due to the following extras I am getting with Prius.

1) Climate Control
2) Side curtain Air-bags (front and rear)
3) Smark Key System
4) Rear view Camera
5) 4 door mid-size car (had 2 doors compact Celica)
6) ABS and Traction Control
7) Smooth, quiet and no idling vibration
8) Quick power delivery (no downshift or downshift)
9) Cheaper insurance
10) Plays MP3 and WMA (overall better sound system including radio station / song name display etc..)
11) Aux audio input
12) Two 12v cig power plugs
13) Touch Screen MFD
14) Too many to list.....

I just love Prius and HSD innovative technology.

Dennis

 

I didn't buy my Prius to say anything about me, that's bullsh*t. I bought it for several reasons but none of those are for any kind of statement. I believe that this board has proven at least to its members that we cut a broad swath across the demographic spectrum. As with a lot of things, there isn't any one reason for buying a Prius, there are many and I am getting way tired of the constant attempt to categorize us. I never buy anything as expensive as a car for one reason, always several. I know from reading this board that some of us bought our Priuses to stand out from the rest of the people on the road but I didn't give a rat's behind about that. Back when I bought mine, the price of gasoline was still pretty cheap, relative to what it is now. If there was a common thread to all Prius owners, it might be that we think ahead but I'm not even sure about that one.

 

It's should be really simple and I don't think they've interviewed enough people. We bought the best car for the money at the time. Some for the:
o massive utility of the car
o great list of features and packages
o technologically advanced EV car that can be bought (GM broke the other boat)
o high cumulative MPG
o time to replace a dying car

Now, some are just buying because of the cumulative MPG and it's trendy.

Then, it's just nice the car is everything else about being green. For me, if the Civic Hybrid had functional trunk/hatch, I would've bought that instead of the Prius. Being full/partial hybrid doesn't matter as much to me as long as the MPG is close enough, but seems reliability of the CVT is on Toyota's side.

If they wanted to interview the community, why aren't they here on PriusChat?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Apr 26 2006, 03:39 PM) [snapback]245667[/snapback]</div>

Isn't the Beagal (Buick Regal, get it? ) a very reliable car too?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(beeri @ Apr 26 2006, 11:51 AM) [snapback]245555[/snapback]</div>

Sigh... I'm getting increasingly irritated with this kind of article.

News flash to the writers : almost no one considers saving money to be a primary reason for buying a car-- except perhaps people who are downsizing from a truck or an SUV to something smaller. No matter what their size and no matter how nifty their technology, cars are costly to buy, they need increasingly expensive fuel, they require maintenance and they depreciate over time. They are moneysuckers. While the Prius is fantastic, it's not exempt from the basic principles of economics.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(beeri @ Apr 26 2006, 11:45 PM) [snapback]245932[/snapback]</div>

Not true base from the last LI, NY meeting last time. The "young" were 75% vs. 25%. Sorry guys, that I have to label you =D It is actually coming from the article so don't shoot the messenger.

Dennis

 

I am new to the group. I bought my Prius this past Saturday. Yes, I am 40 something and live in the suburbs. However, the math worked for me. Like someone else said, $3,150 tax credit. Plus, no personal property tax (VA) and I can drive in the car pool lanes by myself. Throw in the savings on gas and it looked good to me. I'm getting 51.2 mpg on the first tank and it is climbing as I relearn how to drive.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mike0422 @ Apr 27 2006, 05:25 AM) [snapback]246035[/snapback]</div>

Just curious... no personal property tax for your Prius in VA? Details please.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dipper @ Apr 27 2006, 01:39 PM) [snapback]246208[/snapback]</div>

Yes. At this point it is temporary. They have extended it through June of next year. I believe they are going to eventually have a special category for hybrids that either has no or lower personal property tax.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dipper @ Apr 27 2006, 01:39 PM) [snapback]246208[/snapback]</div>

I just realized you are from CA. Not sure if you were questioning the exclusion or what the tax is. In VA, there is a tax on personal property such as automobiles, boats, RV's, etc. It is paid every 6 months. It is based on a percent of the estimated value of the property.

 

So far, I'm the exception on this thread. It wasn't the money or the gas prices. I bought my Prius for environmental and socio-political reasons. I belive in global warming, I'm logical enough to realize that oil will be gone at some time, and I hate the sight of all the useless SUV's and trucks on the road (contractors and farmers exempt from the last part of this statement). If drivers of Hummers can make a bold statement, then so can I.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(beeri @ Apr 26 2006, 12:51 PM) [snapback]245555[/snapback]</div>

I don't know about the rest, but looking at what I make and $110,000 AVERAGE; some of you people are making BIG! BIG! BIG! Bucks.

WOW! Do I feel impotent. :huh:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mike0422 @ Apr 28 2006, 04:27 AM) [snapback]246552[/snapback]</div>

I am asking because my wife and her prius is in Manasass to work on her PhD. You know, they finally got her with the letter to pay up. So just wondering what you meant by no personal property tax on your Prius.

Do you know the exact law that states no personal property tax on Prius?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(grasshopper @ Apr 28 2006, 07:16 AM) [snapback]246562[/snapback]</div>

You're not alone, Grasshopper. My wife and I scrimped for years to afford our Prius.

Bringing down the average,

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dipper @ Apr 28 2006, 08:04 AM) [snapback]246575[/snapback]</div>

I live in Loudoun County, but I understand the rules to be the same throughout the state. Loudoun states the following: "The personal property tax rate remains unchanged at $4.20 per $100. The FY 06 fiscal plan includes a new category for alternative fuel/hybrid vehicles, which are held exempt from the personal property tax."

The car still has to be registered and have a valid county/town sticker. They charge for the sticker.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mike0422 @ Apr 27 2006, 08:25 AM) [snapback]246035[/snapback]</div>

Same here-took delivery on our Prius last Saturday as well. Wife's car. She got fed up with the Aviator gas cost, was tired of driving around in a large vehicle and was starting to feel badly about the image, though she had no desire to make a statement with something else, environmentally or politically. Went to look at the Highlander Hybrid out of curiosity and there was a loaded white Package 8 Prius on the lot that someone had just backed out of their deal on. (Otherwise wait here is about 3 months, also her sig car color is white). She thought it was cool and took it for a drive as well as the Highlander but it was no contest for her. Economics made sense ( sticker, but tax credit plus they overpaid us for the Aviator by $4K in our estimate so we jumped on the deal). Figured we could always rent a van or truck when we needed more size and still come out ahead.

So far it has been fun to drive around though we aren't clocking the kind of mpg that others seem to get. A lot more utility, room and comfort than I thought from afar before owning. I'm a car guy and I must admit surprisingly it's not a boring car to own (though the driving experience is a bit Camry for me). Plenty of interesting if not quirky things about the car and lots mods that can be done for utility, functionality, appearance and amusement and importantly there is a thriving internet community.

So she feels good about what she is doing for the envrionment and enjoys the smaller less expensive to own car and I'm having fun with the toys and the mods. Not our intent to make a statement but we're already getting the usual comments. People who know us should know better. My daily driver is a 425HP beast and she loves that car as well!

K

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mike0422 @ May 1 2006, 05:01 AM) [snapback]247873[/snapback]</div>

I searched on the Internet. Found nothing but Loudoun county having this.

I talked to the Manassas Park city officials, they indicated that the city does not have hybrid exmemption. Oh well, luckily the tax is only 1.14 cent for every $1.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dipper @ May 1 2006, 12:56 PM) [snapback]248031[/snapback]</div>

That's not my understanding. I may be wrong. I sent an email to the Va. General Assembly Legistative Information Staff to find out. I'll let you know when I hear back.

Ok, I'm wrong. I saw the quote in the Virginia State web site, but it was referring to Loudoun County. Each county can make up its own rules.