prius talking points

palau · 03-09-2006, 12:23 PM

hello everyone,

since i started to announce my decision to buy a prius to family and co-workers, i've been greeted with rolling eyes, and a bunch of "whys?"

"what?! why do you want to do that, they're so expensive, you're crazy!" -- dad

"aren't they really expensive?" --co-worker

"the money you save on gas won't even amount to extra money you're spending on an toyota, of all things. you might as well get a beemer" --co-worker 2

"who gave you that idea?" -- dad

don't worry, i'm not intimated by these questions or lame comments. i know why i'm getting a prius. the problem is when i explain it to people, i often feel like they still don't get it or that i'm being a "silly hollywood liberal," (my dad's words, not mine).

SO MY QUESTION IS...

does anyone have prius talking points?

kind of the like the ones on the website for the RNC--except not lies :P

things that i can spout off to people in brief without going into my trademark long winded responses--i'm afraid this is only hurting the cause.

thanks again for your help,
christine

San_Carlos_Jeff · 03-09-2006, 12:35 PM

IMHO the money argument is easy to counter. Unless the person asking the question is driving a Kia or Hyundai they spent more than they needed to on their own car. So if they ask you why you're spending more on a Prius ask them why they spent more on their own car. The answer will usually be they did so because they like the car, and that should be the reason you're buying the Prius.

Prius is:
Safe
Roomy
Fuel effecient
Gives access to HOV lane

These are all good reasons to buy one.

the fish · 03-09-2006, 12:47 PM

I guess it depends on whether or not you actually want to discuss the car with them. I have only run into a few people who actually were interested in my reasons rather than those who were ignorant as to what a hybrid is. For those interested, I try to help them with their questions in case they are thinking of buying one.

For those who fall into the ignorant category, I usually give them a reason (environment, tech stuff) that doesn't appeal to them so they will go away. I realized that this is a car for me not for them. I don't ask them to explain why they thought a Kia or a Ford Taurus was a good car buying decision.

No one in my family really understood why but they all supported me in the end after seeing and driving in the car with me. But they will understand in time that it is a great car. For now, they just know it makes me happy.

tochatihu · 03-09-2006, 12:52 PM

See Prius talking points at

http://john1701a.com/

ScottY · 03-09-2006, 12:59 PM

"what?! why do you want to do that, they're so expensive, you're crazy!" -- dad

Expensive compare to what car? To a beemer? No. To a Corolla? Yes.

"aren't they really expensive?" --co-worker

You can get a Prius under $30k. Again, depends on what you compare it to.

"the money you save on gas won't even amount to extra money you're spending on an toyota, of all things. you might as well get a beemer" --co-worker 2

When someone spend thousands to upgrade to leather. They ever calculate how many years to get even? NO. We are getting a car that's more fuel efficient and pollutes less.

"who gave you that idea?" -- dad

PriusChat? :P

Any more questions? Bring it on!

john1701a · 03-09-2006, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tochatihu@Mar 9 2006, 12:52 PM
See Prius talking points at

http://john1701a.com/

[snapback]222761[/snapback]

http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-sellingpoints.htm ...is that resource.

I've been patiently waiting for the day when people become interested in the content, which apparently is today!

That need happened for the Classic model a few years ago. And that result is what the webpage for the HSD model is based on. We ultimately ended up creating a printable version to serve the very purpose that is being seeked here.

So... if you provide feedback, I'll take those comments and build something for us.

priusham · 03-09-2006, 01:14 PM

palau,

I'm more interested in what YOUR answers are to the, "Why?" questions.

How about it?

EricGo · 03-09-2006, 01:20 PM

OP, time for some analysis, NOT-CR style:

First, ask him if his choice was a reasonable one ..

What car does you Dad drive, whas it bought new, and how much did he pay for it ?
How much has he spent on maintenence and repairs ?
Ask him permission to peek at his credit card statememtns, and figure out from his last oil change mileage record, how much petrol is costing him.

This is gonna be hilarious ..

kingofgix · 03-09-2006, 01:35 PM

This is very strange and annoying to me.

If you buy a Beemer or Ford Explorer, no questions, no derision.

If you buy a Prius, which reduces our dependence on imported oil, reduces air pollution, helps promote new (and important) technology, and is safe, practical, roomy, and at least reasonably cost effective, you get the 3rd degree.

Why is that? I truly don't understand the mindset that doesn't question any car choice except the most altruistic one. Only then are you ridiculed.

jeneric · 03-09-2006, 01:49 PM

Typical reaction I get is "what took so long, why haven't we always had hybrids?" "Let's take your cool electric car." "How long did you have to wait to get it?"

03-09-2006, 12:23 PM	#1
palau Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 32 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	hello everyone, since i started to announce my decision to buy a prius to family and co-workers, i've been greeted with rolling eyes, and a bunch of "whys?" "what?! why do you want to do that, they're so expensive, you're crazy!" -- dad "aren't they really expensive?" --co-worker "the money you save on gas won't even amount to extra money you're spending on an toyota, of all things. you might as well get a beemer" --co-worker 2 "who gave you that idea?" -- dad don't worry, i'm not intimated by these questions or lame comments. i know why i'm getting a prius. the problem is when i explain it to people, i often feel like they still don't get it or that i'm being a "silly hollywood liberal," (my dad's words, not mine). SO MY QUESTION IS... does anyone have prius talking points? kind of the like the ones on the website for the RNC--except not lies :P things that i can spout off to people in brief without going into my trademark long winded responses--i'm afraid this is only hurting the cause. thanks again for your help, christine __________________ 2006 Silver Package 7

03-09-2006, 12:47 PM	#3
the fish Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 175 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I guess it depends on whether or not you actually want to discuss the car with them. I have only run into a few people who actually were interested in my reasons rather than those who were ignorant as to what a hybrid is. For those interested, I try to help them with their questions in case they are thinking of buying one. For those who fall into the ignorant category, I usually give them a reason (environment, tech stuff) that doesn't appeal to them so they will go away. I realized that this is a car for me not for them. I don't ask them to explain why they thought a Kia or a Ford Taurus was a good car buying decision. No one in my family really understood why but they all supported me in the end after seeing and driving in the car with me. But they will understand in time that it is a great car. For now, they just know it makes me happy. __________________ 2006 Silver Pkg 5 with Headlight EV mod; Mudguards; Rear Bumper Protector; Tint (Llumar HP ATR30 all windows).

03-09-2006, 12:59 PM	#5
ScottY Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,245 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	"what?! why do you want to do that, they're so expensive, you're crazy!" -- dad Expensive compare to what car? To a beemer? No. To a Corolla? Yes. "aren't they really expensive?" --co-worker You can get a Prius under $30k. Again, depends on what you compare it to. "the money you save on gas won't even amount to extra money you're spending on an toyota, of all things. you might as well get a beemer" --co-worker 2 When someone spend thousands to upgrade to leather. They ever calculate how many years to get even? NO. We are getting a car that's more fuel efficient and pollutes less. "who gave you that idea?" -- dad PriusChat? :P Any more questions? Bring it on! __________________ 05 Millennium Silver Metallic, Package #3 (package with SKS and all airbags) mud flaps MFD hood bumper protector CAN-View with OBD-II function Coastal EV mod mesh grill DICE iPod integration + ground loop isolated audio in "Prius" license plate frame Thule roof rack and snowboard carriers (winter only)

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03-09-2006, 12:35 PM	#2
San_Carlos_Jeff Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 548 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	IMHO the money argument is easy to counter. Unless the person asking the question is driving a Kia or Hyundai they spent more than they needed to on their own car. So if they ask you why you're spending more on a Prius ask them why they spent more on their own car. The answer will usually be they did so because they like the car, and that should be the reason you're buying the Prius. Prius is: Safe Roomy Fuel effecient Gives access to HOV lane These are all good reasons to buy one.

03-09-2006, 12:52 PM	#4
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 1,813 My Car: 2001 Prius Package: Pioneer #1 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 7	See Prius talking points at http://john1701a.com/

03-09-2006, 01:14 PM	#7
priusham Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Michigan - land of everlasting snowflake icon! Posts: 525 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	palau, I'm more interested in what YOUR answers are to the, "Why?" questions. How about it?

03-09-2006, 01:20 PM	#8
EricGo Three cats, one Prius, and assorted humans Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Albuquerque, NM (SouthWest US) Posts: 1,810 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	OP, time for some analysis, NOT-CR style: First, ask him if his choice was a reasonable one .. What car does you Dad drive, whas it bought new, and how much did he pay for it ? How much has he spent on maintenence and repairs ? Ask him permission to peek at his credit card statememtns, and figure out from his last oil change mileage record, how much petrol is costing him. This is gonna be hilarious ..

03-09-2006, 01:35 PM	#9
kingofgix Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 381 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	This is very strange and annoying to me. If you buy a Beemer or Ford Explorer, no questions, no derision. If you buy a Prius, which reduces our dependence on imported oil, reduces air pollution, helps promote new (and important) technology, and is safe, practical, roomy, and at least reasonably cost effective, you get the 3rd degree. Why is that? I truly don't understand the mindset that doesn't question any car choice except the most altruistic one. Only then are you ridiculed.

03-09-2006, 01:49 PM	#10
jeneric Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 442 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Typical reaction I get is "what took so long, why haven't we always had hybrids?" "Let's take your cool electric car." "How long did you have to wait to get it?"