Prius Owner Interview

[Sublime9]

Hey all im doing a research project on the evolution of gasoline powered cars to electric/hybrid power cars and I need an interview with an actual Prius owner. Can anyone here spare a few moments to answer a few questions?

1. What car did you own before you purchased your Prius?
2. What was the mileage you got with your old vehicle?
3. What led you to purchasing a Prius?
4. How do you feel about Gasoline vs Hybrid/Electric vehicles?
5. In the next 10 years where do you think the market for automobiles will be at?
6. How much were you spending a week to get around with your old gasoline powered vehicle? Indicate tank size etc.
7. How much do you spend on gas with your new Prius a week?

If someone could spend a few minutes and answer all of these questions I would absolutly love you Im getting very desperate, ive searched my town and found 3 or 4 prius owners that have neglected to speak to me because they were "busy" :

Thanks to anyone who replies!

Jeremiah

[GreenSteve]

>Hey all im doing a research project on the evolution of gasoline powered
>cars to electric/hybrid power cars and I need an interview with an actual
>Prius owner. Can anyone here spare a few moments to answer a few
>questions?

>1. What car did you own before you purchased your Prius?

A Mazda Miata

>2. What was the mileage you got with your old vehicle?

32 MPG?

>3. What led you to purchasing a Prius?

Low/Zero Emissions, high fuel economy, extreme geekiness of Prius

>4. How do you feel about Gasoline vs Hybrid/Electric vehicles?

Hybrid is a logical intermediate step to replacing gasoline as fuel.
Toyota's astounding success with the Prius opens the door to discussions of greener and more efficient cars. It gives credibility to the hybrid approach.

> 5. In the next 10 years where do you think the market for automobiles will be at?

American cars then will be like european cars now; small, and sold as efficient and nimble. SUVs will be relegated to the used car lots, people
will want a smaller car.

> 6. How much were you spending a week to get around with your old
> gasoline powered vehicle? Indicate tank size etc.

$2.00 or less, no commute, low usage on old car.

> 7. How much do you spend on gas with your new Prius a week?

Less than $10, but new car is primary family car.


GreenSteve

[Sublime9]

Thank you GreenSteve! Got a name I could use in my interview? It was supposed to be conducted in person but this will have to do hehe

[skruse]

1. What car did you own before you purchased your Prius?

1991 Toyota 4Runner, 5-speed stick, 4 cylinder

2. Fuel efficiency with 1991 4runner?

23-25 mpg

3. What led to purchase of a 2005 Prius?

- air quality and fuel efficiency concerns. the 1991 4Runner is in excellent condition (168k mi), but at 14 years old, I was looking for a replacement. As a scientist, I need to model what I teach.

4. Gasoline vs. Hybrid/Electric vehicles?

- step in the right direction. I test drove a RAV4 EV, but Toyota now only sells to fleets (cities, special districts). The next phase after Hybrid/Electric will be Hydrogen Hybrid/Electric that you can also plug into the grid. Even if vehicles are zero emission, there is still a problem with road noise, congestion and particulate matter.

5. Market for automobiles in 10 years?

- zero emissions, able to plug into grid and draw current from photovoltaic panels (both on the vehicle and at charging stations).
- Great need for light rail and a decrease in "auto worship"

6. Spending per week to drive 1991 Toyota 4Runner

- $30 (14.5 gal) @ 23-25 mpg and use of cruise control

7. Spending per week to drive 2005 Prius

- First fill-up: 9.9 gal (450 mi), $20 (one week of driving)

8. Other benefits of Prius

- air quality (SULEV)
- model for others
- good sound system

[Sublime9]

Awsome! Thank you skruse!

[InTheWASide]

1. What car did you own before you purchased your Prius?

I didn't. I took the bus.

2. What was the mileage you got with your old vehicle?

Unaware of what mileage the bus got. It was a CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) if that helps.

3. What led you to purchasing a Prius?

Was considering an Acura TSX but saw that the Prius had all the same features, almost triple the mileage, 3 more speakers and enough engine power to satisfy me, all for about $5000 less.

4. How do you feel about Gasoline vs Hybrid/Electric vehicles?

Both get me where I need to go, but if I can take that same course more efficiently, I'm all for it.

5. In the next 10 years where do you think the market for automobiles will be at?

Well, if it's more than just hype, it'll go the direction of Hydrogen, but I think more realistically we'll be looking at more hybrids in the near future.

6. How much were you spending a week to get around with your old gasoline powered vehicle? Indicate tank size etc.

$35/month for a bus pass

7. How much do you spend on gas with your new Prius a week?

At most $45/month but that's 3 tanks and I'm able to go up to 1000 miles, anywhere I want and at my own pace. Not subject to bus routes and someone else driving.

[roger]

1. What car did you own before you purchased your Prius?
1992 Toyota Celica

2. What was the mileage you got with your old vehicle?
9L/100km

3. What led you to purchasing a Prius?
The touch screen

4. How do you feel about Gasoline vs Hybrid/Electric vehicles?
Hybrid/Electric vehicles don't waste fuel

5. In the next 10 years where do you think the market for automobiles will be at?
more fuel efficient vehicles

6. How much were you spending a week to get around with your old gasoline powered vehicle? Indicate tank size etc.
55 litres, $10

7. How much do you spend on gas with your new Prius a week?
$5

[bruceha_2000]

Hey all im doing a research project on the evolution of gasoline powered cars to electric/hybrid power cars and I need an interview with an actual Prius owner. Can anyone here spare a few moments to answer a few questions?

Jeremiah, you either asked the right crowd (you'll get LOTS of answers) or the wrong crowd (you'll get TOO MANY answers)! :-)

First, you might want to check the early 20th century. There were gas/electric hybrids then too. However, they used the gas engine to charge the battery, not for direct propulsion. They ran on electric motors.
The 21st century ones are a little more technically sophisticated. ;-)

1. What car did you own before you purchased your Prius?
'95 Honda Odyssey 6 seat minivan - I drive 10 to 11K miles/year

2. What was the mileage you got with your old vehicle?
22 summer, 20 winter. Could get 25 all highway on longer trips

3. What led you to purchasing a Prius?
I get a new car every 8-10 years, started looking at what was 'current' 2 years ago. Intrigued by the hybrid electrics (2003 Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid) - same 'power' as my Odyssey, twice the mileage. Test drove both. Dismissed both because the rear seat does not open to the trunk - too much lack of functionality. Otherwise, no problems. 2004 Prius announced - hatchback, folding seats, MORE room, MORE power, BETTER mileage, MORE features, SAME price! The 'full hybrid' (electric first, gas second) mode makes much more sense environmentally and mpg wise. Planetary gear CVT amazing. I trusted that being the 3rd generation hybrid for Toyota, it would be free of 'too different, too new, going to break' issues the naysayers promoted. However, as it was a major redesign, I let the true 'early adopters' buy and report on their cars for about 6 months and decided there were no major concerns. Then the wait list was SO long, I figured I would wait until the 2005s were announced since that is likely what I would end up with, in case they changed package contents or announced some new feature. When they didn't, I got on several lists, got one of the last 2004s made in only 6 weeks. I paid MSRP.

4. How do you feel about Gasoline vs Hybrid/Electric vehicles?
Gasoline only - thing of the past, there is no reason for most vehicles on the road to get 50 or 60% of the mileage they could. Hybrids, the future. 'Hybrids' like GMs Silverdo pickup, a joke. While I waited for the 2005 announcement, I would think "why is my engine running stopped at this light, in this line of traffic - all so unnecessary and wasteful.

5. In the next 10 years where do you think the market for automobiles will be at?
IF the price of gas in the U.S. stays up, and up enough that people don't get used to it, I am hopeful people will realize that they don't need the big vehicles, don't need the big power. With China starting to use more, I suspect they will have a bigger influence on the global price of oil than any other country.
(and you shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition ;-) )

6. How much were you spending a week to get around with your old gasoline powered vehicle? Indicate tank size etc.
17 gallon tank, would generally fill up around 300 miles about every 1.5 weeks - 13 or 14 gallons. About $19 a week lately.

7. How much do you spend on gas with your new Prius a week?
Only had to do it twice since I got the car (see below). Now at 225 miles on the 3rd tank, gauge at 1/2 :-) Both fills under 10 gallons, both under $20. About $9/week. I expect the mileage to drop during the winter, but I don't know how much.


Feel free to pare this down some if you use it :-)
Bruce Alvarez
South Burlington, VT

[Wolfman]

Hey all im doing a research project on the evolution of gasoline powered cars to electric/hybrid power cars and I need an interview with an actual Prius owner. Can anyone here spare a few moments to answer a few questions?

1. What car did you own before you purchased your Prius?

Previous vehicles were a 2003 Saturn VUE, and a 2000 Daewoo Lanos

2. What was the mileage you got with your old vehicle?

The Saturn averaged around 25mpg, and the Daewoo around 32.

3. What led you to purchasing a Prius?

The Saturn was a lemon, and was running out of warranty.

4. How do you feel about Gasoline vs Hybrid/Electric vehicles?

I've been intrigued with them since Toyota announced the 2nd generation Prius which was to be released in the US for sale. A co worker bought an 01, and let me take it for a lengthy test drive. I was immediately hooked, but at that time had just purchased a new vehicle (Saturn SC2), and was not in the market. I think hybrids are a major step forward in the automotive evolution.

5. In the next 10 years where do you think the market for automobiles will be at?

Not sure, depends on how the industry responds to recent fuel price spikes, and Toyotas routing of the market with the Prius.

6. How much were you spending a week to get around with your old gasoline powered vehicle? Indicate tank size etc.

In the Vue, I was spending roughly $35 per week, filling a 15.5 gallon tank. The Daewoo had a 12 gallon tank, and went down to approximately $25 to $30 per week. Both vehicles had to be refueled at least twice per week. Fuel prices were floating around $1.30 back then.

7. How much do you spend on gas with your new Prius a week?

At today's prices, around $21 per week.

As a note, I average roughly 600 miles per week of driving.

If someone could spend a few minutes and answer all of these questions I would absolutly love you Im getting very desperate, ive searched my town and found 3 or 4 prius owners that have neglected to speak to me because they were "busy" :

Thanks to anyone who replies!

Jeremiah

[mmccking]

Hey all im doing a research project on the evolution of gasoline powered cars to electric/hybrid power cars and I need an interview with an actual Prius owner. Can anyone here spare a few moments to answer a few questions?

1. What car did you own before you purchased your Prius?

1994 Toyota Camry V6

2. What was the mileage you got with your old vehicle?

20 MPG average

3. What led you to purchasing a Prius?

techno geek first and foremost, with size, price and enviro rounding out the package with equal measure.

4. How do you feel about Gasoline vs Hybrid/Electric vehicles?

I love the idea, Prius is a step in the right direction, it just needs a smoother gas engine with a bit more power, maybe a 2.0/2.5L V6.

5. In the next 10 years where do you think the market for automobiles will be at?

more hybrids with more powerful electric motors and hopefully smaller gas engines.

6. How much were you spending a week to get around with your old gasoline powered vehicle? Indicate tank size etc.

$60 with a 16 gallon fill-up.

7. How much do you spend on gas with your new Prius a week?

~$20

If someone could spend a few minutes and answer all of these questions I would absolutly love you Im getting very desperate, ive searched my town and found 3 or 4 prius owners that have neglected to speak to me because they were "busy" :

Thanks to anyone who replies!

Jeremiah