Were you a Prius zealot too?

texnet · 04-27-2008, 11:43 AM

To be perfectly honest. When I got my first Prius in 2000 I was a complete Prius Zealot.

Zealot: a fanatic and most times annoying person. (wikipedia)

Back then I had harsh words for anyone who had anything bad to say about the Prius. But here I am with a new 2008 and I do not consider myself a Prius Zealot anymore. Sure the Prius is a great car but I'll be the first to admit its faults like the seats are cheap and the view through the rear window is badly obstructed. I no longer extol its virtues unless asked and thought I feel a bit smug at every fill up I do not rub it into the Excursion driver next to me who is still filling his tank after I am gone.

Most things that bring such sustained controversy polarize people into loving or hating it. These forums appear to be a haven for both. From the later you get how a Hummer pollutes less, Hybrids cause Leukemia in kids and other laughable claims that only serve to churn things up.

My point is, by no longer being a Zealot I am able to read through these forums, enjoy the discussions and get a good laugh or roll my eyes, without getting all offended, while learning a thing or two. Lighten up people, life is short, lets enjoy the ride...

2008 package 3, shark fin antenna, Weathertech mats, Dash Express GPS, 3M clear bra

qbee42 · 04-27-2008, 01:29 PM

Death to the infidel!

Tom

dogfriend · 04-27-2008, 06:44 PM

I'm a Prius owner and Mac owner. So I'm possibly a double zealot.

Except I only expound on the virtues of both if asked and I try to keep my opinions to myself for the most part. Also, I still own a Ford Explorer and have a license plate frame on the Prius which reads "My Other Car is a SUV". I bet that confuses the hell out of some people.

brick · 04-27-2008, 09:23 PM

Naah, I've never felt the need to go on and on about the car in front of people who didn't express interest initially. Nor do I think it is the be-all and end-all of personal transport. But I do really, really like my car.

patsparks · 04-27-2008, 10:03 PM

Zealot: a fanatic and most times annoying person. (wikipedia)
What are you on about? That is just ridiculous!
How can it be annoying to be told about the best car on earth day in and day out?
Now let me tell you about the car I bought about 9 months ago, it is fantastic. Have you heard of the Toyota Prius? Amazing! I get a laugh every time I fill it up, I always try to stop near a 4x4 so I can laugh at the sound of his pump whizzing around. It's great fun to pull in about the same time as a 4x4 and when I finish filling I go up to them and say " gee you must have done a few kilometres since last fill, I have only done 900 kilometres. I best go pay for my 41 litres of petrol then. fifty seven and a half dollars, it sure is getting expensive."
I don't know why they look annoyed when I'm walking away. It is such a great car, I can fit 2 bikes and a 2 man touring kayak in the back with my tent and a weeks supplies and still close the back when my wife and I go away, and with all that in you can top 160 kilometres per hour and at the end of the journey it takes a splash of petrol. Let me tell you some more about my car theres this great thing ...

How can that be annoying? Your just being silly.

Sheepdog · 04-27-2008, 10:11 PM

I have an iMac also. Im used to people saying dumb things to me.

If they ask politely I will grace them with whatever they want to know and let them make up thier own minds.

But I dont care what people think about my Computer or my Prius.

I only care what *I* think.

a priori · 04-27-2008, 11:45 PM

Good question. A little self-examination is a worthy exercise.

Unfortunately, I'll take a bit of an exception to the wikipedia definition. I'll go along with the "fanatical" portion of it, but I'd replace "and most times annoying" person with "partisan". Partisans are only annoying to those on the wrong side -- Non?

Am I fanatical? I would say I don't have the objectivity of someone who is not a Prius owner, but I also would say I can see the less-than-superlative aspects of the car. I also can see some of the draw-backs, but I am quick to point out that the Prius can't be the car for everyone. It can carry three young children in the back seat, but not three children, two adults and enough luggage for a week-long vacation. It can carry bikes, but it can't pull a boat.

Am I partisan? I don't think I exhibit blind, prejudiced and unreasoning allegiance to the Prius cause (borrowing Merriam-Webster's definition). Still, I am very much in the Prius camp. I applaud Toyota for developing this car and putting so much behind it. I also anxiously await the next great improvement in energy-efficient and low-polluting vehicles. I hope it is another "Prius" -- but I'll be pleased to support whomever comes up with the next and greatest.

All right. That should be enough of a response to let everyone know I'm either a reforming zealot or blind to my own faults!

texnet · 04-28-2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogfriend

I'm a Prius owner and Mac owner. So I'm possibly a double zealot.

Except I only expound on the virtues of both if asked and I try to keep my opinions to myself for the most part. Also, I still own a Ford Explorer and have a license plate frame on the Prius which reads "My Other Car is a SUV". I bet that confuses the hell out of some people.

Well I was not going to bring that up but I'm typing this on my MacBook Pro. Wonder how many Prius owners are Mac users too.

texnet · 04-28-2008, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a priori

Good question. A little self-examination is a worthy exercise.

Unfortunately, I'll take a bit of an exception to the wikipedia definition. I'll go along with the "fanatical" portion of it, but I'd replace "and most times annoying" person with "partisan". Partisans are only annoying to those on the wrong side -- Non?

Am I fanatical? I would say I don't have the objectivity of someone who is not a Prius owner, but I also would say I can see the less-than-superlative aspects of the car. I also can see some of the draw-backs, but I am quick to point out that the Prius can't be the car for everyone. It can carry three young children in the back seat, but not three children, two adults and enough luggage for a week-long vacation. It can carry bikes, but it can't pull a boat.

Am I partisan? I don't think I exhibit blind, prejudiced and unreasoning allegiance to the Prius cause (borrowing Merriam-Webster's definition). Still, I am very much in the Prius camp. I applaud Toyota for developing this car and putting so much behind it. I also anxiously await the next great improvement in energy-efficient and low-polluting vehicles. I hope it is another "Prius" -- but I'll be pleased to support whomever comes up with the next and greatest.

All right. That should be enough of a response to let everyone know I'm either a reforming zealot or blind to my own faults!

Well put...

hill · 04-28-2008, 10:34 AM

Having converted both of our SUV's to hybrids ... and having converted my carpool partner from SUV to hybrid, I'd say I still am

04-27-2008, 11:43 AM	#1
texnet Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 24 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Were you a Prius zealot too? To be perfectly honest. When I got my first Prius in 2000 I was a complete Prius Zealot. Zealot: a fanatic and most times annoying person. (wikipedia) Back then I had harsh words for anyone who had anything bad to say about the Prius. But here I am with a new 2008 and I do not consider myself a Prius Zealot anymore. Sure the Prius is a great car but I'll be the first to admit its faults like the seats are cheap and the view through the rear window is badly obstructed. I no longer extol its virtues unless asked and thought I feel a bit smug at every fill up I do not rub it into the Excursion driver next to me who is still filling his tank after I am gone. Most things that bring such sustained controversy polarize people into loving or hating it. These forums appear to be a haven for both. From the later you get how a Hummer pollutes less, Hybrids cause Leukemia in kids and other laughable claims that only serve to churn things up. My point is, by no longer being a Zealot I am able to read through these forums, enjoy the discussions and get a good laugh or roll my eyes, without getting all offended, while learning a thing or two. Lighten up people, life is short, lets enjoy the ride... 2008 package 3, shark fin antenna, Weathertech mats, Dash Express GPS, 3M clear bra Last edited by texnet; 04-27-2008 at 11:46 AM.

04-27-2008, 01:29 PM	#2
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 5,701 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 6	Re: Were you a Prius zealot too? Death to the infidel! Tom

04-27-2008, 06:44 PM	#3
dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Carmichael, CA Posts: 2,698 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 7	Re: Were you a Prius zealot too? I'm a Prius owner and Mac owner. So I'm possibly a double zealot. Except I only expound on the virtues of both if asked and I try to keep my opinions to myself for the most part. Also, I still own a Ford Explorer and have a license plate frame on the Prius which reads "My Other Car is a SUV". I bet that confuses the hell out of some people.

04-27-2008, 09:23 PM	#4
brick Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 700 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Were you a Prius zealot too? Naah, I've never felt the need to go on and on about the car in front of people who didn't express interest initially. Nor do I think it is the be-all and end-all of personal transport. But I do really, really like my car.

04-27-2008, 10:03 PM	#5
patsparks Uneducated bird-brain Aussie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 4,924 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 17	Re: Were you a Prius zealot too? Zealot: a fanatic and most times annoying person. (wikipedia) What are you on about? That is just ridiculous! How can it be annoying to be told about the best car on earth day in and day out? Now let me tell you about the car I bought about 9 months ago, it is fantastic. Have you heard of the Toyota Prius? Amazing! I get a laugh every time I fill it up, I always try to stop near a 4x4 so I can laugh at the sound of his pump whizzing around. It's great fun to pull in about the same time as a 4x4 and when I finish filling I go up to them and say " gee you must have done a few kilometres since last fill, I have only done 900 kilometres. I best go pay for my 41 litres of petrol then. fifty seven and a half dollars, it sure is getting expensive." I don't know why they look annoyed when I'm walking away. It is such a great car, I can fit 2 bikes and a 2 man touring kayak in the back with my tent and a weeks supplies and still close the back when my wife and I go away, and with all that in you can top 160 kilometres per hour and at the end of the journey it takes a splash of petrol. Let me tell you some more about my car theres this great thing ... How can that be annoying? Your just being silly. __________________ All the warranty I need. And for thrills -> Still averaging 4.4L/100km across town 2004 silver base model Prius Shark fin, genuine mudflaps, colour matched side mouldings, rear bumper scuff guard, sheepskin seats, BT Plate. I love it!

04-27-2008, 10:11 PM	#6
Sheepdog C'Mere Sheepie! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sanford FLorida Posts: 1,050 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	Re: Were you a Prius zealot too? I have an iMac also. Im used to people saying dumb things to me. If they ask politely I will grace them with whatever they want to know and let them make up thier own minds. But I dont care what people think about my Computer or my Prius. I only care what I think.

04-27-2008, 11:45 PM	#7
a priori Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicagoland (West) Posts: 811 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	Re: Were you a Prius zealot too? Good question. A little self-examination is a worthy exercise. Unfortunately, I'll take a bit of an exception to the wikipedia definition. I'll go along with the "fanatical" portion of it, but I'd replace "and most times annoying" person with "partisan". Partisans are only annoying to those on the wrong side -- Non? Am I fanatical? I would say I don't have the objectivity of someone who is not a Prius owner, but I also would say I can see the less-than-superlative aspects of the car. I also can see some of the draw-backs, but I am quick to point out that the Prius can't be the car for everyone. It can carry three young children in the back seat, but not three children, two adults and enough luggage for a week-long vacation. It can carry bikes, but it can't pull a boat. Am I partisan? I don't think I exhibit blind, prejudiced and unreasoning allegiance to the Prius cause (borrowing Merriam-Webster's definition). Still, I am very much in the Prius camp. I applaud Toyota for developing this car and putting so much behind it. I also anxiously await the next great improvement in energy-efficient and low-polluting vehicles. I hope it is another "Prius" -- but I'll be pleased to support whomever comes up with the next and greatest. All right. That should be enough of a response to let everyone know I'm either a reforming zealot or blind to my own faults! __________________ Some knowledge may be readily grasped as it is apparent to even the most casual viewer, but most of us learn this only by experience after having ignored what was right before our eyes.

04-28-2008, 10:34 AM	#10
hill High Fiber Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: South OC So Cal & the Flathead Valley MT Posts: 2,457 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	Re: Were you a Prius zealot too? Having converted both of our SUV's to hybrids ... and having converted my carpool partner from SUV to hybrid, I'd say I still am