Would you drive a car that got double the milleage as the prius, but...

In a heart beat! I would use the money saved to buy my next car.

 

Generic hatchback, absolutely yes. In fact the symbolism too many people attribute to Prius is one of the reasons I waited this long to get one. I'd take the Prius 'Hybrid' decorations off if it weren't the holes underneath.

Generic wagon, yes.

Generic 4 door sedan, reluctantly. I've never purchased a sedan.

 

When I drove my Geo Metro (which was admittedly a hatchback) which got almost as good mileage as my Prius, and my Toyota Echo (which got almost as good mileage as my Metro), nobody asked me about mileage and I didn't tell.

So yeah, I'd do it in a minute. Make it hatchback and I'd do it in 30 seconds.

 

I would have to say no...
only because I like the technology used in the Prius.

 

1. Yes, I'd prefer one.

2. Sure, will it have Toyota or at least Honda's warranty and reliability to go with it? I'm not driving a GM Volt. I'd drive a hybrid honda civic or toyota corolla though. I've not had a single problem with my 03 odyssey or 07 prius. They just work.

3. I don't care what other people think of me, it's all about sending less of my money to Saudi Arabia - not being smug about it.

 

IS this mythical car a Toyota? If it is I might.

 

Speak it brother! Amen and hallelujah!!! :rockon:

 

Don't you think that a car that got TWICE the MPG of a Prius would also have pretty neat technology?

 

Yes, all other things (handling, comfort, etc) being equal.

 

>1. The car looked like a generic 4 door sedan.

That's what my gen I looked like, so I've already done that.

>2. You'd have to trade in your prius for it.

That's how I got my Gen II, so I've already done that.

>3. It could not be known that this generic looking car got this >terrific mileage, and when asked, you'd have to say that it got 20 >mpg.

What, that's it? Why not try me with something hard, like the drivers door doesn't open, or maybe the whole car is dirty diaper green?

>So the bottom line for this exercise is, would you be greener at the >cost that no one >could know you were being so?

You thought this decision would be hard maybe? It's a car, not a fashion statement. If I need something to brag about I can always talk about my enourmous ^H^H^H, err nevermind..

 

1) I could do a 4dr sedan, but would rather it be a 2dr coupe. If I am giving up the hatchback, I'd rather go all the way like my Honda Civic.

2) Sure why not... Dont see the point though, I still have my previous car after buying the Prius, why would I be limited to driving a single car, or just excluded from driving a Prius? A car with 2 times the mpg as a Prius and a Prius makes for a good selection compared to a car with 2 times the mpg's and a Kia...

3) If it wasnt known then how would I know to buy it?! I assume you mean status symbol. The Prius has become a status symbol because of what it does. If this magic car does better, then it will become the status symbol. I think it is stupid of Honda to copy the looks of the Prius for the Insight even though the insight was around longer. The imporved aerodynamics of a hatchback design probably helps though.

If this magic car was still produced by a Japanese or German manufacturer, then I would buy it even with the rediculous conditions. Otherwise, I would rather walk.

 

That was one of the reasons I wasn't so into the Gen2 - it was a little too "hair shirt" for me.

The Gen3 is having your cake and eating it too - a bit more stylish, and definitely more peppy. And at today's fuel prices, the net operating cost over 5-6 years is nearly a wash. Why shouldn't I tell people this?