sanctimonious: Feigning piety or righteousness:

Jeez...talk about sanctimonious. Pot meet kettle.

 

Tweev's got a point, to a point. In a way, we're not really 'saving' the planet, we're just killing it more slowly.

But I wouldn't go so far as to call it sanctimonious, because most people have good intentions. If they're using significantly less gas than in their previous vehicle, then that's progress. And it's not just the gas savings that matter - look at the differences in emissions, too. I don't think the Yaris comparison is really valid. By the same argument, I couldn't justify a bicycle over a new pair of shoes. Many people have been inspired by their purchase to make other changes in their lives, like composting, recycling, saving energy at home, and starting to grow their own food. So no, it's not just a "techy-fun indulgence". And why would you buy an iPhone? Other phones are much cheaper, and you'll never make up the difference.

 

OK, Tweev, I'll bite.

You just don't get it -- at least ALL of it. Sure, there are many ways to do better things for the environment than to replace one car with a Prius.

Your comparisons range from the meaningless, through the absurd, to the offensive. I'll just assume the wife-beating comparison can be dropped and that you won't feel a need to bring that one back up.

You can compare the Prius to the Yaris or Fit, but very, very few Prius owners will say those were the cars they considered as options. Take a look at the thread What Car Did You Drive Before Your Prius? and see what comparisons people were making.

As far as your heroes of environmentalism are concerned, I can't see that you've done much more than express your interests and concerns. Is this any different than those of us on PriusChat expressing our view of things? Let's not be hypocritical on this one.

If you are suggesting our highest environmental goals and virtues include urban living and childless lifestyles, then I wonder who in the world will be raising the crops to support our food demands? Who will be the next generation to continue this work? Who will take care of the elderly when there are only elderly?

There are plenty of us on PriusChat who are just as selfish as the next folks. I don't see many cries for recognition as saints. Most people just want to express how much they enjoy the Prius they've purchased. If we own one, we are able to spend more money on cars than most people. At the same time, we've chosen to spend that money in a way that will encourage more and more manufacturers and consumers to consider and buy cars that get not only MUCH greater mileage, but also pollute so much LESS than other cars.

Choosing the Prius is not choosing to avoid personal transportation, and it is not denegrating public transit. Instead it is the making of a better choice when an automobile is a requirement for business and our chosen lifestyles. Can you imagine how much better off our nation will be if the hybrid vehicle and then the all-electric vehicle become the standard? How will that happen if there are not highly-enthused owners of these vehicles who are willing to share the benefits (and costs) of the use of such cars?

Please stick around a bit longer to learn more about this community. Share about your interests and learn about ours.

 

The cost savings at MSRP have been well documented in several studies. A search of this site will give you the sources. The rest is just gravy.

As for whether you are willing to pay over MSRP, that's a personal decision. For some it's worth it, just like some people buy BMWs, and some don't.

Tom

 

Stop for a moment and listen (and read).

Your iPhone techy indulgence is just fine, but other peoples' indulgences are not. Hmm. Poor math skills on that one. My phone continues to work just fine. The battery life is slipping, but why drop $199 and increase my monthly charges for that phone. It can't make calls any better than can my current phone. And -- I won't be throwing something useful into the trash! I'm saving hundreds of dollars as compared to you. Obviously, I've made the better choice.

"Dropping an extra 6-8 grand"? What? The car I traded in was worth almost as much as the new Prius I bought -- and I had purchased that prior car used. If I had bought another car, I would have spent more money for the luxury and "techy" gadgets I enjoy. The Prius actually cost me less than other cars -- it cost less than the minivan we have for our self-indulgent, anti-environmental family of parents and children.

Yep, you hit a nerve on that one.

Look for ways to encourage positive environmental change. You are doing great things, as far as I can tell. Learning more about the Prius and its owners would be a good addition to the other activities in your life.

 

Great response!!!! I agree with everything you said.

Tweev, I don't own an iphone, I have a regular ole cheapy cell phone, no frills and don't want an iphone. I won't stand in line for hours having to be the first person to buy one. I bought my car to save money first and foremost and the environmental factor second, I would like to say the environmental factor was my first reason, but it is just about equal. I, by choice don't want to live in a high rise urban environment so I can avoid needing a car. The number one reason is I hate urban living and hate the congestion, If I could live in the middle of the countryside and have my closest neighbor or store miles away I would be a very happy person. I am just so sick and tired of the rat race that I don't want to be anywhere near a big city. Unfortunately, I have no choice right now to work in downtown Chicago and commute by train, and I live as far out in the suburbs as possible to get away from all the crime and congestion as possible.

I'm just trying to save money and do my part in driving a vehicle that is not heavily polluting the environment.

 

Not all Prius owners are the same. Yes, some of us were already 'converted', but many who bought the car solely for the gas savings are changing their attitudes and perspectives, which can only be good.

The Prius has a lower total cost of ownership than most cars. The resale is going up, too, don't forget, so that 'extra 6-8 grand' is just an imaginary number.

So, Tweev, while I admire your bravery in standing up at a Prius forum and calling us idiots, I think you should brush up on your math skills. :brushteeth:

 

I believe that the current demand for the Prius is a knee-jerk reaction to the recent high jump in gas prices. I think for the most part people want it now because it gets the best gas mileage out of everything available at the moment. Even though you may spend more right now, at least that's a known amount. Since the future of gas prices is unknown, it's unknown how much you'll eventually save, so with the Prius you have the least amount of risk. I don't think the environment is of much concern to the knee-jerkers.

 

For those of us who have made the poor environmental decision of having kids, the Fit and Yaris really aren't reasonable comps. The Prius is a great mid-size family car (unlike the two compacts you mentioned) and it saves lots of money at the pump. That it also helps lessen our dependence on oil ever so slightly is gravy for me. I'm much happier to see more of my money going toward the technology than to the oil companies.

 

you don't know what people's motivations or living situations are. maybe people are doing the best they can for the situation. did that ever occur to you?

it's not like selling your house is easy these days, and if you haven't noticed the job market is just a little shaky lately as well. you never know what that combination will do to people's willingness to drive.

 

I don't think the Prius is an appreciating asset and certainly don't think any car is an appreciating asset. Maybe for my own purposes it is an asset in the form of saving me gas money, but not for any other purpose.

 

I'll bite! just a casual observation. First of all I think you are a glory hound! It isn't about being a HERO!

To me it's supply vs demand.

My wife is a care giver for people at the end of their days! She put on 40K on our 07 @ 18 - 20mpg. Now we put on 40K with 40 - 45mpg. The only thing see gets is love! We usually put on 150K on our vehicles, do the math!

We raise organic veggies, don't use harsh chems, free range birds, (eggs and meat taste great) the birds keep the mosquitoes down (helps with west nile) we recycle and compost.

1) your social skills with the opposite sex seems to be lacking
2) How much and where do the chemicals for your veggies come from or how much do you spend on organic. They have to be transported, I would imagine by a diesle truck.
3) Living in high density area might be cool, but there is a lot of wasted energy there. Not to mention crime. All that pavement causing global warming.
4) is cool
5) What about those buses you ride, diesel I will bet, how many real riders?

Add it up hero!

 

It is, in the long run. I was only using the fact of currently rising prices for used Prius to point out the fallacy of your "Prius is more expensive" claim.

At first glance, it may seem paradoxical to buy a car and then declare moral superiority, but you have to consider the individual and their situation. Chances are good they are making positive changes, and people should be encouraged to do that. Berating them for not being as high and mighty on the environmental totem pole as they could be isn't going to help.

And thanks for not calling us idiots.

 

Did it ever occur to you that for people that care about the environment might want to actually live in a place where they can enjoy the environment? Like smell fresh air, hear birds, have trees around them, have some grass under their feet. What kind of tree-hugging environmentalist wants to live in the middle of a concrete jungle and smell nothing but exhaust fumes, hearing nothing but police sirens, fire engines, and see nothing but brick and cement and instead of bird watching are watching people shoot and murder each other.

I think I'll continue living as far away from downtown as possible and commute to work on my Electric train everyday. :yo:

 

It's quite possible to arrange your life so that you live in the place you describe, and also have minimal needs for a car. I think the OP's point is that the 40 mile commuters shouldn't put themselves on a pedestal because they drive a Prius.

 

Walking, biking or taking public transportation to work simply aren't options for a majority of Americans. The Prius is currently the most environmentally-friendly option for those who require a car.