There's a lot of ignorance in buyers and in reporters. Personally I don't know what people are complaining about when they say the Prius isn't powerful enough. I've been in tight spots where I need to accelerate, and the car goes nice and fast when I floor the pedal. I don't think I'll ever have a reason to test its "weaK" top speed since I don't have any reason to go 100+ mph.

That reporter fell into one of the most aggravating blunders with this statement:

I guess by "cars like the Prius" he means "cars."

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Apr 19 2007, 09:22 AM) [snapback]425963[/snapback]</div>

Amen to that!

I don’t know why people who test cars talk about going 100+mph the average person does not go this fast. The acceleration of the prius does no compare to a v8 but it is adequate for daily driving. No family sedan is going to perform like a sports car. I know there are some sedans out there that have great performance take for example the Subaru Impreza WRX/STi but it starts at 30k something and that car can do some amazing things. Who drives like a maniac in traffic with kids in the car though? I do not regularly see people weaving in and out of traffic going 110+mph with a sedan full of kids. I do not understand this need for every car to have extreme performance abilities. If you want a sports car buy one and expect it to get poor gas mileage but great cornering and acceleration. If you want economy don’t expect the eco box to do anything other than drive from point a to b. it is not going to go 0-60mph in 4 seconds and it will not pull 1+ lateral G’s but it is going to be safe and not guzzle gas.

Looking at the same data as the supposed reporter, I come to a very different conclusion.

"Traditional gas powered car outlook iffy"
Traditional ICE driven vehicles had a nearly 100% marketshare just a few years ago.
Today, they still command over 95%.
But given that 20% of consumers say their next car will be a hybrid, the market share for these vehicles will drop soon to 80%! And the trend does not apeear to be reversing, despite the best attempts of the non Honda and Toyota media to dissuade buyers.

LOL darwood, well put.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(IAO @ Apr 19 2007, 12:35 PM) [snapback]426072[/snapback]</div>

I will agree with you on acceleration and top speed but not handling. There is no reason that all of our vehicles shouldn't be able to pull 1 lateral G. Handling is the most important measure of safety and it doesn't have to be a trade off with economy. By raising a vehicle handling dynamics you enable it to go around corners at a higher rate of speed. By doing this you minimize braking and acceleration which is a huge waste of fuel.

BTW I see lots of people that drive like maniac with a sedan (or SUV or Minivan) full of kids.

I went to MSNBC to look at the discussion and it is 6 pages long , so I left. Most posters were Prius friendly anyways. PLUS, you have to sign in, and I don't want those bastards to have my email.

What about all the other polls we have read about significant interest and all the new hybrids we all now see on the roads? Price and availability of models are undoubtedly the factors at this point, but that will change as we see hybrids become mainstream.

Tipping Point: Half of America Wants a Hybrid Car-Poll Live Science

"More than half of all Americans say they would seriously consider buying or leasing a fuel-saving hybrid car, according to a new poll."

"Price is the obstacle for many, however."

http://www.livescience.com/technology/0604...ybrid_poll.html

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Apr 19 2007, 11:46 AM) [snapback]426086[/snapback]</div>

If within 3 years 20% of all cars that are sold are priuses, then Toyota will have to be renamed "ultimate champion of the universe".

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Darwood @ Apr 19 2007, 11:54 AM) [snapback]426094[/snapback]</div>

Hope you don't mind Darwood, but I copied this post on to the discussion list.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(burritos @ Apr 19 2007, 01:48 PM) [snapback]426186[/snapback]</div>

Already got a response to your post:

"That's funny Burritosburritos1. Good one. Open-mouthed I hope it's true and market really does switch. Really don't know why it wouldn't. Just a matter of time. Took many many years to get people off their candles and whale oil lamps. Open-mouthed



And even they debated the "new" tech, oh should we have AC or DC, let's just wait..."

I've got a motorcycle that will do 125+ mph.

I've never had it over 90 mph.

It never even occurred to me what the top speed of the Prius is. Now I see it is 105 mph, which is 15 mph faster than I've ever chosen to go in any vehicle.

I don't get it, what does that top speed have to do with anything?

Harry

I'm pleased you used my words. Feel free to.
It just seems a lot like preaching to the choir (except for the naysayers. Then it's like banging your head against the wall).
I have much better luck talking sense into those I know personally.

"BTW I see lots of people that drive like maniac with a sedan (or SUV or Minivan) full of kids."
I do too. I had a woman honking, yelling, and giving me the bird, with kids in her car. I was slowing for a stop sign that had a line of cars. So there was NO WHERE for her to go anyways, but that didn't matter. I was supposed to race up to the line and slam on the brakes!

"I don't get it, what does that top speed have to do with anything?"
Strictly pride and penis waving. Too bad some women actually prefer this behavior in their men, or we might be able to breed it out! (tongue in cheek)