I'm going to scream...

[Canuck]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(barbie.gee @ Nov 25 2007, 11:00 PM) [snapback]544126[/snapback]</div>

If I have to field the idiotic statements one more time I'm going to scream.

"You know, for what you paid extra for that Prius, you could buy a Yaris for a lot cheaper"
"You're never going to be able to recoup the extra you paid for that thing"
"You can get just as good mileage in a regular car (and then they cite a car that takes Diesel, or one with a manual transmission or a totally non-comparable car)."

What really frosts me is that as a woman, these men (since it's ALWAYS men who scoff at hybrids this way) point out stuff that they believe I clearly "wouldn't understand", when it's clear THEY don't understand hybrids at all! I even had one guy say to me, "Hybrid sales are tanking, you know.." Clear and simply WRONG.

So, what kinds of premium options can I ask them about on their bigass Lincoln or H3 that they paid extra for, to then find out how long they expect to recoup the cost on that??? I'd rather know how they justify getting 12 mpg, and continue feeling okay about that.

AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!
(Sorry for the rant, I just really needed to find some like minds...)
[/b]

We don't bother trying to justify owning a Prius but do very plainly tell whoever that our vehicle pollutes a hell of a lot less than theirs does unless they have a fuel cell or total electric vehicle. That is the real reason we became interested in the Prius.
:P
Gary

[TonyPSchaefer]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Canuck @ Nov 26 2007, 11:54 AM) [snapback]544298[/snapback]</div>

We don't bother trying to justify owning a Prius . . . [/b]

That makes me wonder: "why are we the ones who have to justify our purchase?"

How come they don't have to justify their emissions, their gasoline consumption, their funding of foriegn government?

If I want to pollute less and consume less gasoline, I will buy the car that helps me achieve that goal. And at what cost? A few extra bucks out of my own pocket.

If they want to haul 6 kids, a 30' boat, and twelve suitcases for an average three times per year, they will buy the vehicle that helps them achieve that goal. And at what cost? Additional particulates in the air, additional greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, increased consumption of a non-renewable fuel, and an increasing flow of money into the pockets of big oil both domestic and foreign.

Justify the money I spent on my Prius? Bite me.

[kbo1114]

Most people I run into are curious about my Prius so I don't have to fend off any rude questions or comments. But the once or twice I did I just told them that I felt strongly about not having our country be so dependent on oil and that I felt like I was being a part of the solution instead of part of the problem. That usually shuts them up

[Sufferin' Prius Envy]

For me, those comments have tapered way back since the price of gas has gone up.

Last time someone mentioned a premium and "payback" - the conversation went like this:

ME: "At $1.55 per gallon, the payback will take longer than when the cost of gas goes UP to two dollars per gallon."

THEM: "But the price of gas is already over three dollars."

ME: "Yes, the PRICE is over three dollars, but my Prius gets over twice the miles per gallon than the car it replaced . . . therefor, the COST to me is half. When my cost of gas goes up to two dollars per gallon, the payback will be even sooner. At what price does your car pay you back?"

THEM: <_<

[galaxee]

i suppose there are unseen advantages to paying extra for the off-road package in your suv... i mean, there are plenty of trails you can take to work in lieu of the highway, right?

no? hmmmmm.

[TonyPSchaefer]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Nov 26 2007, 03:14 PM) [snapback]544365[/snapback]</div>

i suppose there are unseen advantages to paying extra for the off-road package in your suv... i mean, there are plenty of trails you can take to work in lieu of the highway, right?

no? hmmmmm. [/b]

Of course there are, can't you see them in this image:
[attachmentid=12630]

[Codyroo]

Here is a quote (copy and pasted) from Edmunds in regards to the Altima Hybrid.


When discussing any hybrid, fuel economy is a priority-one concern and the Altima Hybrid certainly delivers, with an estimated EPA 42 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. That's basically identical to the related Toyota Camry Hybrid, and better than the Honda Accord Hybrid and Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid. It's also about 16 mpg better than the four-cylinder Altima in city driving, but about equal to it on the highway. The Hybrid is therefore best suited for around-town duties and even then, the gas savings most likely won't make up for the price premium – hybrids are still more of a moral, ecological choice than an economic one.


Sigh. THIS is where people get their "hair brained" notions about Hybrids having a "cost premium". Now, to be fair, what they are saying is if you compare a Altima Hybrid to a comparably equipped gas only Altima, you will pay more money. Problem is, you aren't getting the same engine (and drivetrain?). It makes as much sense as saying that you won't recoup the cost difference between a Camry LE and Camry XLE through gas mileage or enjoyment of the leather appointments.....

I wish people would think a bit.

[hyo silver]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ibmindless @ 2007 11 25 22:21) [snapback]544157[/snapback]</div>

..."Do you realize that with the money you spent on that 1975 pickup, you could've spent it on an education so you wouldn't sound like such an IDIOT."
[/b]

Yeah, that's my favourite so far, too. U not b mindless!
I've been known to ask people "And what are you doing in your car that makes you money?" They usually have to stop and think about that one.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Codyroo @ 2007 11 27 18:18) [snapback]544997[/snapback]</div>

...hybrids are still more of a moral, ecological choice than an economic one...
[/b]

If we're going to bring morality and ecology into the discussion, I feel compelled to mention the options of working from home, walking, and cycling, which have even less of an impact than driving a Prius. Blasphemous, but true.

[tochatihu]

I know of only a few Prius drivers who have kept complete records of their fuel, maintenance, insurance, registration, financing costs. Purchase price minus resale value at year XX. Add it all up and divide by the total miles driven.

If you do this, you will likely find the total operating costs of Prius in the 20 to 35 cents per mile range. It is not the cheapest thing around, but it is far less than the average vehicle 55 cents per mile that AAA and EPA report.

Edmunds also has a total cost of ownership page, but it has always seemed to me that their maintenance and depreciation numbers are too high. So, more real owners keeping track might provide very interesting results.

Lowest of all are the small reliable sedans purchesed well-used and then driven forever. Then you are in 15 cents per mile territory. But, they do pollute more than Prius, and are perhaps not quite as pleasant to drive.

[statultra]

there is a lot of ignorance out there and a lot of fascination by people in general. I tend to ignore the comments made my people, even my own family who would mention that the battery is a liability in buying a hybrid car, or how theres no reason to buy a hybrid because there is no benefit. A good example would be a close friend of mine, who tell people that you wont really need the prius, it has no benefit financially at the pump, even though i brag about how i end up paying 30 dollars to fill up and drive about 540 miles on a tank.

People will change once they see the benefits up close and personal, and unfortunately when gas prices go up really high.