Something I've noticed lately about Prius owners

Last month, someone broke into my Jeep Wrangler and tried to hotwire it. As a result of this, it's been in the shop for a month and I've been driving my 1950 Plymouth as a daily driver. Since I don't have a radio in it, I tend to spend my time at a light people watching. I get alot of waves, people asking me what year my car is, and a few thumbs up.

Occassionally, when the vehicle next to me at the light is a Prius, I get a condescending glare that leaves me to wonder if I accidently ran over their dog. That's alright, I don't own that car for the attention, I own it because I enjoy working on it and driving it. Any additional praise for the vehicle is just an added bonus. I've always viewed the Prius as one of the ugliest cars on the road and can only imagine that driving one would be about as cool as catching Aids. That being said, if you enjoy your Prius, then who am I to pee in your cheerios.

The actions of one of your fellow Prius owners, caused me to write this. Today was the first nice day we've had in awhile, and I was driving back from my welding class (which I'm taking so I can learn to build another gas guzzling monstrosity) with my windows down, and the driver of the Prius next to me began hollering at me. I couldn't hear alot of what he was saying, but I made out "carbon footprint" and "gas guzzler". I flipped him off and drove off, but it took some of the fun out of my drive.

I understand that most of you are probably pretty decent people. However, your car attracts a certain tree hugging/cheerios peeing element. The following is directed at this element (the rest of you have a pleasant afternoon):

Yes, I understand that you drive Prius and thus think that you are morally superior to most other drivers. However, as a car guy, I feel that I can safely say that your car has absolutely zero aesthetic appeal and the only reason I could ever imagine owning one is so I could strip all of that hybrid crap out of it and slam in a small block with a powerglide so I could use it as a drag car (give me a few more years and I may just do that). Secondly, with the Prius brakes it's entirely possible that the next time you press on the brakes, you might not stop. So basically, your endangering not only your life, but mine as well. It's like you're driving Christine (without the aesthetics or the benefits of having a car that can do its own bodywork). Third, is your life so empty that you feel that you feel the need to disparage your fellow driver for no reason other than they have dared take their non-hybrid vehicle on a public roadway? In the future, why don't you worry about you, and not the classic to your left or the hummer to your right. In other words, get over yourself.

Sorry, just needed to get that out of my system.

John

 

For what it's worth, I did pick up some other words that I didn't post here due to my not knowing the obscenity rules of this board. I think flicking him off was a fair and measured response. After all, I'm at a stop light and he's yelling at me about my choice in automobiles... I didn't figure there was time, or that he had the inclination to foster an understanding.

In regards to the technology, I think that it is very fascinating. My senior year in college, I was on the Future Truck project. We used the battery packs from a Prius to power the electric portion of the hydrogen/electric explorer we were building. I was responsible for the voltage monitoring of each individual cell the battery packs. We monitored them because if a cell dropped below (I think it is 7.2V, but it has been 6 years so I may be mistaken) a certain voltage there was danger that it would invert and then catch fire. That being said, I think the technology is a little much for a consumer automobile. Yes, the technology is great when it works, but you have so much stuff going on underneath the hood, how do you diagnose it when it fails? It seems as though Toyota built a car that removed the possibility of the owner and probably most repair shops (especially the electric drive) fixing it. So instead of owning a car that will last 15 or 20 years, you now have a car that will be occupying a boneyard in 10. It's an interesting concept, I just believe that it was overengineered. Personally, if forced to pick a hybrid, I'd go with the Volt. It seems simpler with the motor running a steady RPM that powers the generator, and (what I presume to be an AC motor) powering the drivetrain. I don't remember reading that it had regenerative braking or some of the other features that are giving Toyota so many issues.

In regards to the fumes, it's not like I'm Uncle Buck. No it doesn't have a PCV and EGR Valves, nor does it have a catalytic convertor, but the engine was rebuilt 10000 miles ago and the carb is rebuilt and properly tuned (in accordance with the factory service manual). To be honest, it's a good running car that meets the states requirements for a roadworthy vehicle (plus, it is a reflection on my skills, so I make certain that it runs well). If someone has an issue with the state of Texas's requirements, one should probably take that up with the state legislature, and not scream obscenities and environmental diatribe at the unsuspecting driver.

And, I have a girlfriend, who would probably take issue if I started internet dating.

 

I need to make three more posts before I can post a url to photobucket.

Hang on...

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