So this jerk-off says...

[Jonnycat26]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(canuckican\";p=\"106968)</div>

No other serious hybrid can compare or answer to that.  Shutting down half of your cylinders at stop lights (Civic or Excape) still produces some pollutants - not none like ours![/b]

Actually, both the Civic and Escape shut down *all* their cylinders at stop lights. And the Escape and upcoming '06 Civic can drive on battery power alone. But only the Escape and Prius are PZEV rated, the Civic is not.

You're thinking of the Accord, which can *cruise* on 3 cylinders (half of it's normal 6). It also shuts down the engine at stop lights.

[rosieox]

Settle down Beevis. Nobody with a brain buys a brand new car in order to, "save money."

Sorry, I did. Even with increased interest for new car, I'm saving $200 a month. Bought the car to save money. :-)

[Mystery Squid]

Squid,

A lot of people think this way. I call it "one-dimensional" thinking. It is really a lack of critical thinking. I replaced a car that got 25 mpg as my daily driver. With my now 50+mpg, effectively I can drive twice as far for the same money, OR, gas could go up to $4.40 a gallon and my cost stays the same.

But I didn't just buy the Prius because of the gas mileage in the sense of cost. Every gallon I save is one more gallon of burning fuel I don't spew pollutants from into the air.

The VSC will make this car a little safer to drive.

My NAV system will help me not get lost and waste MORE gas.

This one dimensional thinking is usually harmless until it spills over into politics and religion. Everyone wants simple answers to massively complex problems (i.e. foreign policy) and, conversely, complex answers to the simplest problems (i.e.- why do terrorists want us dead)

Karl

Exactly. Particularly with respect to politics and religion. I used to argue aspects of both on various message boards, it's just too thankless. :mrgreen:

[Mystery Squid]

How come I can't find any information on the Echo on Toyota's website? If I do a google search, I can find lots of information and reviews about the 2005 Toyota Echo, but I can't find it on the Toyota site, either through their "Model Selector" or through the drop down list of the Vehicles menu.

I heard somewhere Toyota is ditching the Echo... Looks like that might be the case after all...

edit: oops, looks like Kam's got it covered!

[Mystery Squid]

Settle down Beevis. Nobody with a brain buys a brand new car in order to, "save money."

:mrgreen:

Uh,

huh, huh,

huh, huh, huh,

I actually did... :mrgreen:

I traded my huge gas guzzling F150 in for it. When you compare from that standpoint, it is in fact saving me money. $3-400/mo. actually.
:mrgreen:

[Mystery Squid]

The thing is that I actually enjoy those situations. I have a clear advantage...extensive knowledge about the Prius. The commenter has read or heard a little bit on the news, made a snap judgement (in most cases) and knows very little about the actual features, how it works, how big it is, how fast it is, etc.

Most people are interested, appreciate the education and leave much more knowledgable and open minded. And I don't come off as a snobbish tree-hugging ass.

Very true... Unfortunately, the person I ended up having this "discussion" with, was not open to any other viewpoint other than his own. Oh well... But I agree, for the most part, people are interested, particularly when in person at a parking lot/gas station/etc.

[Mystery Squid]

Sorry, I digress. Many will skew results and comparisons to make their statement seem believeable. If all they think is mpg, a bike is better. If they're thinking purely on cost, a used car or a basic Echo/Accent/Rio/Aveo/Swift+ will work for them. Ask them how they like to crank their own windows and run around in 30°C+ weather without A/C.

[popsrcr]

I think a lot of you should re-read Evan's post. While I don't agree with everything said, he has the most even approach. Fact is, the media has portrayed hybrids as an MPG solution, not an emissions solution. You can't condem the public for not reading up on the car.

For me, a Prius doesn't make much sense. However, for my spouse it does and we use it for our trips, etc.

I really think once the car-based sportutes get out there and available with hybrid tech, more will be sold.

[Potential Buyer]

I've encountered this attitude very often. The thing is, people have the misconception of hybrids being economy cars. They don't realize many people find lower fuel consumption to be desirable in its own right.

[Mystery Squid]

I think a lot of you should re-read Evan's post. While I don't agree with everything said, he has the most even approach. Fact is, the media has portrayed hybrids as an MPG solution, not an emissions solution.

I think rightfully so. From the standpoint of a very large demographic who own cars/suv's/trucks/etc., moving to a Prius would, in fact, be an MPG solution. From THAT standpoint, it makes total sense. As somewhat of an example, almost no one at my work place (probably 30 people) owns what might be considered an "econo-car" (Corrolla's, Sentra's, Civic's, etc.), most own SUV's, full sized cars, trucks, etc.. From that standpoint, the Prius is a total MPG solution. You go from a vechicle that costs 35K and costs $300/mo. in gas to a 24K vehicle that costs $60/mo. in gas, there you have a MPG solution.

Now, for the people with Corrolla's and such, the several extra thousand dollars for a Prius probably doesn't make too much sense.

However, if you isolate it to simply how far it can go on a gallon of gas, obviously, the Prius pretty much wins hands down (I'm sure that will irritate the Insight-heads! :mrgreen: ). You spend $2.30, you drive 58 miles. I can't think of any many mainstream cars that can pull that off. From that standpoint, it's again, an MPG solution...