Is Prius an Econobox?

Because you pointed me to this thread and invited me to comment on it .... in the other thread (Considering Buying a Prius)... you posted THIS ....

Quote: Thai
Originally Posted by revhigh
it's STILL a $20K econobox
REV

See: Is Prius an Econobox?

Post your facts to back up what you said....


Link below where the above was quoted.

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/93402-considering-buying-prius-3.html

Your extreme level of remorse has made you quite forgetful I see .... I completely understand. Enjoy your car and don't worry about what others think .... I do .... it's what grown-ups do ....

REV

 

Nah, its okay bro. IT tracks how many clicks I make. I sure as hell don't want to waste them on this thread.

 

When did 33% of the median income become economy? For econobox drivers you guys sure have some expensive taste.

 

I think billnchristy sums the whole Econobox thing in a nutshell. It's totally subjective and up to the beholder. Moving up from my 95 Tracer Station Wagon the Prius is a luxury car. Looking at if from the seat of a Lexus or BMW it's an Econobox. You guys can keep discussing what to call the Prius. Me I'm going to keep calling my Prius Wilhelmina because that is her name.

 

Rather than rationalize Prius as econo or luxury or over-priced, why not a new category called, technology-box. This is how I view my Prius, as a technology box that delivers high MPGs, technology and low emissions. For me the Prius is neither economical (to buy), nor luxury to wrap myself. For me it's an economical technology machine when compared to other cars in it's price range.

 

It's the .1% that matter to Thai, Mac !! I guess he perceives that they look differently upon him for driving a .... gasp ..... OMG .... would you just LOOK at that absolutely awesome car !!!!! .....have you EVER seen ANYTHING like it ???? ..... a Toyota Prius V with ATP .... WOW !!! Just WOW !!! LOL.

That's about the same percentage agrees with his stance on this subject ... LOL !!

REV

 

Look Thai, the Prius is always listed in the economy car category any way you slice it. So you need to take your problem to Toyota Marketing, and stop trying to convince us your car is any different than ours.

 

Man you're dense. "Economy car" and "Econobox" are 2 different terms with 2 very different meanings. Economy car defines a readily accepted category. The Prius is an economy car, albeit, a fancier economy car. Which is why it wins Best Value for Economy car time and time again.

Econobox is an open-ended term, however. It's unofficial. It means different things to different people. Again, semantics.

That's why this discussion is stupid! Are you beginning to understand?...

 

To clarify my point, I would say the Prius is an economy car, but not an econobox. Make sense now?

 

Perhaps Thai should contact a therapist instead of Toyota marketing. This might be deeper that a Prius.

 

absolutely..... and hey Thai.....just to make you feel better. you have bought yourself the most expensive ecobox on the planet. (type v w/ atp)

 

Thai the reality of the Prius is it is "econobox" if you take the hybrid system out it is a vehicle that really would be no better than a corolla.It has none of the amenities of the more expensive cars in the 35k price range. take fuel economy out is it better than a base 3 series ? Hell no! how about a Lexus es? nope a Audi or Mercedes the answer is no to all these questions. So if you are basing your question on fuel economy than we own the Rolls Royce of cars but that is not how vehicles are judged.
Make you're argument all you want to the world the answer to your question is yes. I am one who is fine with my economy and proud to own it.

 

Yeah, econobox is a derogatory term meant to describe a cheap, gas-friendly small car with few factory-installed options. Even if the person saying it doesn't mean to be disparaging, it has a negative connotation, much like the term "McMansion."

 

Thai,

First off, I rented a 2010 Prius V and drove it all over the Bay area in about June 2009. It was the furthest thing from an econobox. It was wayyyy better than my 2009 Prius pk5. I would have loved to have one - (they ad'd V's for only $300 more than I paid for my 09, all through 2010!!!). The only issue I had was the fancy rearview mirror protruded a little low into my line of sight making it hard to look through right turns in the hills.

From the average Joe's perspective, I think 'econobox' would stem from the net HP of the car, and acceleration capability. 134 HP is right down there with all the Corollas, Civics, Focus, give or take a few HP.

The other factor might be the overall look of the bottom Prius trims (II - IV all look same from outside, so that most Prii. they should find a better solution for sharper wheels on most Pri's. F* buying aftermarket wheels!).

anyrate, Will this new Elantra be called an econobox?



I don't think anyone calls a Civic Si an econobox because it is of high performance, now 200 HP and tricked out with fancy wheels, body and interior trim.

 

By the way thai I would say Prius is an econoegg more than econobox