Why do you drive a Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Isaac Zachary, Dec 6, 2020.

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Why do you drive a 2nd gen Prius?

  1. Fuel mileage

    17 vote(s)
    73.9%

  2. Emissions

    4 vote(s)
    17.4%

  3. Low operating/ownership cost

    13 vote(s)
    56.5%

  4. Comfort or Luxury

    2 vote(s)
    8.7%

  5. Cargo space/size/practicality

    9 vote(s)
    39.1%

  6. Safety

    4 vote(s)
    17.4%

  7. Performance

    1 vote(s)
    4.3%

  8. Techno-geek or nostalgia reasons

    7 vote(s)
    30.4%

  9. Other

    3 vote(s)
    13.0%
Multiple votes are allowed.
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  1. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    Kind of getting off topic, but I wish Tesla offered FWD cars. I know, I'm the odd one. But FWD just seems to make sense to me. I live where it's icy most of the year. AWD seems like overkill. Plus statistically you're more likely to get into an accident with an AWD because of overconfidence. I've seen it time and time again, I'll be barely accelerating from a stoplight and a Subaru owner then flies by ranting and raving. Then he comes to the next light and can barely stop in time because you have to be more conscientious with AWD, and AWD doesn't tell you how bad the roads are until it's too late. All cars stop the same with 4 brakes. This is why I drive AWD cars just like I do 2WD cars. I put chains on when I would do so anyway in a 2WD car, because if it's slippery enough to need them to accelerate in 2WD, it's slippery enough to need them to stop properly in any car. Plus AWD adds a huge amount to the price of a Tesla I already can't afford.

    But RWD is the only other option with Tesla. I do fine with FWD and I guess could make RWD work, but if you get stuck with RWD you can't point your drive tires to try to get out. You only have forward or reverse. And when it comes time to put chains on I prefer the chains on my steering wheels. I know a lot of people are afraid their rear wheels will lose traction in a FWD or AWD with chains on the front, but in my experience it's better to have chains on the wheels you use to control the vehicle's direction and do most of your braking with.
     
    #21 Isaac Zachary, Dec 10, 2020
  2. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    When I sold my Nissan Leaf I almost went for the Prime but instead got our used Avalon hybrid. Even with the Federal and Colorado tax rebates the Prime was still going to be just out of our price range. That and it only had 4 seats.

    On the other end, even though it's cramped as all getout I also was attracted to the MAZDA5 mini-mini van (prefferably the one with the stick shift). I miss having a car that can hold 6 people, like back when we had a full bench seat in the front (or would throw the kids in the back of the station wagon). It bothers me when there's just one more passenger and now you need two cars. But I didn't want a ginormous minivan or SUV that's going to make my 30,000 miles a year that much more expensive.
     
    #22 Isaac Zachary, Dec 10, 2020
  3. 8AA

    8AA Active Member

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    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    I bought my Prius in 2004 for two reasons; I had a feeling that hybrid technology was not a fad and would become more mainstream in the future, and I was very impressed the the technology of the Synergy Drive. Several friends told me that I was making a mistake and that I'd be replacing the batteries regularly. At just under 200K miles I did start to have HV battery issues and decided to change all the modules and not just the few weak ones (NewPriusBatteries are going strong). My gas savings have been about $7000 compared to a traditional ICE powered car and the maintenance before the HV battery has been things like tires, wipers, and headlights. I can't answer why some people buy an older Prius, but I bought mine brand new and have no reason to get rid of it.
     
    #23 8AA, Dec 14, 2020
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  4. abdullah arslan

    abdullah arslan Member

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    The first reason is low emission and the second is great mpg like 45-50. The third is toyota reliability. Personally I m so cautious about global warming, so if were the president or in charge, I would prohibit the manufacturing of regular gas vehicles and setting an mpg lowest limit to make a transition to hybrid and electric cars.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #24 abdullah arslan, Dec 14, 2020
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  5. dbstoo

    dbstoo Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Near Silicon Valley
    Vehicle:
    2024 Prius Prime
    Model:
    XSE Premium
    I answered the survey even though I'm not quite in the target group. I drove a gen ONE for 17 years and just recently traded up to a Prime.

    I bought the 2002 Prius originally with the idea that I'd soon be commuting 60 to 80 miles a day round trip in ugly Silicon Valley traffic. I was also intrigued by the technology. I then changed jobs and worked locally for 5 years, often from home. During that time I drove very little daily and quite a bit visiting family throughout the western US. We covered everything from snowy mountains to below sea level desert lands, accumulating about 15,000 miles a year.

    I not only became very familiar with the car, I found that the seats conformed quite nicely to my body. I could make a 10 or 12 hour drive without discomfort. The visibility was outstanding when compared to cars I'd recently used or owned. When my wife wanted a new car she went for the Camry Hybrid. I found I preferred my little old Prius.

    I traded the car after 17 years mainly because I wanted the safety features available on the newer cars. I'm driving the length of California once or more each month. I may trade in my current 2017 Prius when they finally sell one with a good automated driving system.

    Dan
     
    #25 dbstoo, Dec 14, 2020
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  6. donbright

    donbright Active Member

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    Location:
    oklahoma
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    the prius chose me. it was on a used dealer lot that i drove by every day to work. it had a nice carfax history. one test drive and that's it.

    i did not know about the brake actuator thing... if i knew about that im not sure i would have got it. but buying 10 year old cars is always a gamble, so far the brakes are fine.
     
    #26 donbright, Dec 17, 2020
    Data Daedalus and Isaac Zachary like this.
  7. James1964

    James1964 Member

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    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    05 Prius saved my son's life last Sunday night. That's about it. 20201214_122442.jpeg 20201214_102636.jpeg

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #27 James1964, Dec 18, 2020
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