As Much As I Love My Car, I'm Starting To Hate It!!

[Rhino]

This is bigger than a Prius.

You were put in a difficult situation when a tackless person asked you to carpool. I wonder if there was a polite way to turn it down - I can't think of any. You can't win. If it is not one thing, it is going to be another.

See it for what it is. Jealousy. She was picking a fight. She is going to pick another fight. She is upset at you for being able to buy a new car.

There are many things we all could have, should have done. If we all lose weight, stop smoking, get fit, live on top of the office, save all our salary, we would be a greater country and with a decreased health care bill, be even more competitive and use a lot less gas since we live on top of the office, with an extremely low interest rate since we are all saving. So almost all of us are not helping the situation. It was just an excuse.

[wvgasguy]

Originally Posted by yadax3

In retrospect I sometimes regret not telling her to go back to driving her U.S. made gas hog back and forth to work every day.

I believe I would have taken that route, but stated it nicely without mentioning the gas hog issue

[wvgasguy]

Originally Posted by yadax3

coworker who was driving the same 45 mile commute asked me if I wanted to carpool. Since I had the more fuel efficient car I offered to do all of the driving and she just pays me for half of the two gallons of gas we use each day.

There is a lot more to the cost of ownership than the gasoline. You were far too generous anyway. She should pay for all the gas if you're driving 100% and paying the payment, insurance, and all maintenance.

[lawboy]

I used to have a bit of a heavy foot, but since I had my first kid, I made a point to never drive over the speed limit (unless on an urban freeway, where driving the limit would put me in danger). Even when my kids are not in the car, their car seats serve as a reminder to set a good example, drive safely, and stick to the speed limit. While driving my 2001 Ford Escape, I would encounter a steady flow of idiot drivers, but no more so than in any other car.

Since getting my Prius in late August, it is obvious that I've become a target. Big SUV's and pickups will go out of their way to accelerate up to my bumper, quickly swerve around me, and then do their best to shave off the front of my car with their rear wheels. I have not changed my driving style one bit, other than to anticipate braking a little better. My problems usually occur on the highway (not interstates), where I am driving the speed limit of 70. I have even passed some trucks going the speed limit, merged back into the right lane after passing, then have the Prius nearly run off the road by the same truck, suddenly now wanting to do 90 mph.

[Jimmre]

Originally Posted by wvgasguy

There is a lot more to the cost of ownership than the gasoline. You were far too generous anyway. She should pay for all the gas if you're driving 100% and paying the payment, insurance, and all maintenance.

My thoughts exactly!

[hobbit]

Quite a few "proudly made in USA" items are put together from
offs(w)hored parts...
.
_H*

[patsparks]

Originally Posted by SlowTurd

while in the right lane i've had people try to pass and squeeze in front of me to make a right turn.

i use the power mode, close the gap quickly, and screw them.


it's my turn to teach them not to f**k with a prius











.

So who is the bigger fool?
Did you learn to drive in Adelaide?
Although I hate people who pass then push in to turn it is just easier and safer to let them do it. They will be gone in a few seconds anyway.

[patsparks]

Originally Posted by TalkingMuffin

It has nothing to do with the Prius.

It has to do with Prius drivers driving exceedingly slow.

If there are two lanes, be SURE you are in the right (slow) lane.

If there aren't two lanes, DON'T hold up traffic by going slow in an effort to get better gas mileage!! It is rude, inconsiderate, and selfish.

Go at least 5mph over the speed limit, and don't creep from stoplights. GO!

Having a Prius doesn't entitle you to inconvenience other people just so you can celebrate your own gas mileage.

go.

GO.

GOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

keep it in Power mode if you need to. Turn off the ECO!

Sorry, I am just an ignorant Aussie but can you please explain what a speed limit is?

The rest of your post I agree with to varying degrees but this line highlighted above I struggle with.

[drees]

There are two types of speed limits (using California laws, but I think most states are simliar):

Speed limits and Maximum Speed limits.

Speed limits are typically on surface streets and are supposed to reflect the 85th percentile speed of cars driving on the road - in other words, 85% of the traffic in good conditions should be travelling at this speed. This limit can be lowered because of road conditions - eg, residential, commercial, poor visibility, etc. In theory, if conditions allow you can legally exceed this limit, but officers if monitoring will typically ticket you if doing much more than 5mph over the limit.

Maximum speed limits are typically posted on highways. Legally, you are never supposed to exceed this limit. But again, typically you can get away with 5-10 mph over the limit without getting a ticket.

Telling someone to always exceed the limit is a load of ****. If someone wants to travel at the speed limit without holding up traffic, there is no reason to break the law to make other people "happy". If they are holding up traffic, they should pull over when safe (either moving right or using a turn-off) to allow faster vehicles to pass (regardless of whether or not they want to go faster than the limit!). In the mean time, those faster vehicles should learn some damn manners and be patient!

[TalkingMuffin]

Originally Posted by drees

Telling someone to always exceed the limit is a load of ****. If someone wants to travel at the speed limit without holding up traffic, there is no reason to break the law to make other people "happy".

Oh give me a break.

First of all, traveling the speed limit, you ARE holding up traffic!!! Now, if no one is behind you, go ahead. Drive 20 in a 45 if you want, no one cares. But don't pretend like going 45 in a 45 is acceptable when there is traffic behind you that can't pass. It's NOT.

Speed limits in this country are antiquated and obsolete rules. They were instituted in the 1970's during the gas crisis. Cars are 100x safer and more capable now, so the safety argument doesn't fly. And we are not (currently) in a gas crisis, so don't even begin to argue that.

There is no cop IN THE COUNTRY that will give you a ticket for going 5mph over the limit. Most won't give you a ticket for going 15mph over the limit.

So enough with the semantics. Going 50 or 55 in a 45mph zone will not kill you or anyone else, nor will you get a ticket. So get off your white horse and speed up.

That, or you deserve to get run off the road and get your @$$ kicked.