Just lost all my respect for Car and Driver

[wvgasguy]

Well the article that rated the Prius a 1 was doing so for a 2009 model. My argument isn't about the "1" its simply that C&D cannot be the final authority that defines what an enthuiast is. Their definition is much more narrow than the true meaning. And they can't define what "fun" is either, assuming a car really has to be fun to be an enthusiast car

[wvgasguy]

[quote=accordingly;879622
If you can't understand why none of these car enthusiast magazines would give the Prius high marks even though many people (including me) are enthusiastic about the Prius then I can't help you. quote]


Ditto (and I didn't expect or need any help)

[accordingly]

Originally Posted by wvgasguy

Well the article that rated the Prius a 1 was doing so for a 2009 model. My argument isn't about the "1" its simply that C&D cannot be the final authority that defines what an enthuiast is. Their definition is much more narrow than the true meaning. And they can't define what "fun" is either, assuming a car really has to be fun to be an enthusiast car

Car and Driver never claimed to be the ultimate authority on english language semantics, you're attacking a straw man.

If you're not the type of car enthusiast that C&D caters to, you don't need to get upset and cry foul when their opinion differs from yours. Nobody should be surprised at the end of the year when C&D rates the BMW 3 series the best overall car for the 43rd year in a row, even if you or Four Wheeler magazine disagree.

[drees]

Originally Posted by wvgasguy

Personally, the Hybrid allows me more enthusiast "opportunities" (that is getting excited about driving) than any of my "cool" cars.

LOL, that's right! How many other cars are you excited to get stuck in traffic in because it lets you practice increasing your fuel economy!

The Prius is probably the best car in the world to get stuck in a traffic jam in - and an "enthusiast"'s car are typically the worst!

[MaggieMay]

I'm sure there must be - but is there a hybrid car enthusiast magazine?? Not an 'everything green/how to live green/etc.' magazine but a CAR magazine devoted to hybrid vehicle? If so (or if not) I know a lot of editorial contributors right here!!

[willster]

Originally Posted by bestmapman

It is just Prius envy.

Very funny.

[Carls]

I had the same opinion of Car & Driver's Prius review. It appeared that they used a high school kid (or a writer with the same mentality). 250 points were available as follow with larger weighted items: Gotta have it-25, fun to drive-25, ride-10, handling-10, brake feel-5, steering feel-5, transmission-5, engine NVH-10, fuel economy-5, flexiblity -5, 1/4 Mi Acceleration-20, , as tested price-20, rebates-5, exterior styling-10, interior styling-10, fit and finish-10, features-10, rear seat space-5, rear seat comfort-5, ergonomics-10, driver comfort-10. the Prius bombed on gotta have it 15/25, fun to drive 9/25,rebates 0/5, handlinjg-4/10. I personally am buying a 2010 Prius based on Mileage, Room, comfort, resale. I believe the publication used criteria best on a Pontiac Grand Prix etc. Magazines don't hire the best and brightest- they write to appeal to emotion which of course sells on the news stand. This is reason they aren't selling their own car.

[AirKuhl]

I thought it was fairly well written and accurate, if a bit over the top.

They define "enthusiast" the way they have always defined it in their decades of existence as one of the most respected and non-biased car magazines in the US, a car who's overall driving dynamics are interesting and engaging for the driver. The Prius is many wonderful things but it's NOT that. It "drives" like an SUV or maybe a minivan.

C&D made major headlines in the late 70's by publishing what is considered the first ever brutally negative review of a car. Up until then, car mags basically cut and paste the press kits they received and called them reviews. C&D was publicly called out by Chrysler who demanded a retraction, and pulled all their advertising. C&D held firm and as a result fundamentally changed automotive journalism the better.

Their audience is driving enthusiasts and all their reviews are openly biased that way by design. I would no more expect a glowing review of a Prius in there than I would expect an unbiased and useful comparison of different types of bacon in Vegan Magazine, or a open minded and respectful review of the latest Glock .45ACP handgun in Mother Jones.

I enjoy my Prius and find it a fun intellectual exercise to maximize my mpg. But for that fun Sunday drive on twisty roads through the mountains, it's not the key I reach for.

[Mr. Nelsby]

Good comments, but as to whether or not it is a fair rating, I just feel that a 1/10 is hyperbole.

As many people pointed out, an enjoyable ride can be for a lot of reasons. I love that my Prius is quiet. I love that it gets good MPG. When I drive to NYC and back from Boston on ONE tank of gas and then still have gas left over, I ENJOY THE FEELING!

The fact that they feel that the car is the equivalent of what one of the posters said "drives like a couch" clearly shows that they just don't WANT to like a car that is like it.

Keep in mind, I've driven porches, I've driven audis, I've driven Mercedes, I've driven Volvo, etc. I even rode in a Delorian once (though not at 88 miles per hour). I understand that comfort, power, extras all have their feelings, but at the end of the day, I find enjoyment from rinding in many very different types of cars. Minis are fun, old-school beatles are nostalgic, Smart Cars are just a trip... to say that a prius ranks 1/10 is just clear negativity...

... all that said, I think one of the posters nailed it, I don't know why I cared enough to post about what they think, they are clearly people of limited taste...

[bfd]

If there's a "typical" C&D reader, that person probably isn't in the market for a Prius anyway.