Is Prius an Econobox?

So horsepower can get you out of "the box" but fuel eco can't? Kinda silly dontcha think?

 

Not really when people pickup an auto magazine to look at a new vehicle 99% will look at horsepower numbers before fuel economy

 

Yeah, your confused and conflicted.
So why are you trying to inflict your self-doubt on everyone else?
:bored:

 

I wonder what our Euro friends outlook on this is? Or in other words, when our gas is 9 bucks a gallon what will a luxury car be? One that allows you to buy a loaf of bread a week?

 

How's the Five with ATP any different, except for horsepower? Ford Focus will always be an econobox no matter how many HP and options you throw at it.

 

In response to Revigh's post, I would have been fine with a plain Prius III, but would like it to have shipped with sharper OEM wheels (I do not like the aftermarket for wheels at all, and I can't see putting a perfectly good set of wheels in the garage or pawning them off for 25% cost.

So, I bought a Honda and Toyota lost the sale.

little off topic, but IMNSHO, I think Prius may have a few tough times ahead with the barrage of new, sharp small sedans out - Elantra, new Civics, Cruze, Focus, etc... all at lower prices. Plus the earthquake. It's going to hurt a bit.

I believe it is the overall, exterior look that seperates the very best sellers from those that don't quite get there, assuming all the other parameters are reasonably in place. IOW, you are neeeeeeeeeeeeeever going to sell Mitsubishi iMiev in top 20 - I don't care it it costs $15k and goes 300 miles on a charge. It won't happen in the US.

 

I've debated whether or not to weigh in here.... regardless of what you call it, or how much you paid for it, the Prius is a nice car. I agree with the earlier post that it is more a technology box than anything.

The definition of car segments hasn't kept up with the changing dynamics of the industry. I remember when "loaded" meant that a car had power windows, power locks, and air conditioning.

I remember the Mercedes SLK I used to own. Nearly $50K new, yet the interior paint was flaking off after just 4 years, the glued on window stop fell off and prevented the driver's window from operating properly (sure made the toll booth fun), and the taillights were known for melting to the housing. A $50K crap-box if you ask me...

 

Never say never over in Cali where you are there are plenty of tree huggers who will bite

 

Manual transmission doesn't hurt at all - still the standard for performance cars.

Shape of the car, Si badges, black interior, but, as said before the whole 0 to 60 MPH is huge among the wannbee rally racers.

 

The Prius is totally unique - there is no other car like it in the world today.

There is no other direct competitor to Prius, Insight does not count.

There is no other car that matches Prius' fuel economy, interior room, tech features, and driveability.

It's kinda sad that there is no other direct competitor.

IMNSHO, Prius is very, very good. Still a 'little rough around the edges' to me, but very good. Takes many generations to really dial in a car. Wait 12 years and see what Prius looks like then.

 

awesome definition twittel, I cannot agree more

macmaster05 and revhigh you may write anything but you still look at leas a bit jealous with every one of your statements

 

My son always points out a Prius Five when we are traveling together. He says they are cool cars He likes the ones with the solar roof too

Mike

 

"Quibbles and labels"

 

Jealous? Jealous of everyone who has a newer car with nicer features? Trust me, that's the last thing in the world I'm jealous about. :rockon: and I'm sure I speak for Rev and everyone else too.

 

Comparing a Prius to a Corolla is ridiculous!

I can tell you from personal experience that having SmartKey and Push button start is VERY convenient ...

Every time to drive the Accord, it's get the key out of pocket, toss it on floor mat while sitting down, stick in switch, and this is little, but it takes some coordination to key start a car, hold it too long and funny noises happen.

Electronic shift lever .... don't take that for granted. Your Prius will never clunk while shifting into reverse on a sloped driveway. I have to remember to - shift into reverse, then release the parking brake in driveway to avoid a clunk.

Prius has real-time information about fuel economy, etc, etc.... Corolla has none of that. Only time you know how you did on gas is at the pump in a Corolla, or Accord, etc..........

and so on.

Don't take Prius for granted. It is leading the way for future cars!

 

Well I'm guessing that has something to do with you - he's studied it, or learned it, or picked it up somewhere, somehow. The average person doesn't, nor cares.

 

btw, you won't catch me talking up how great my Accord Coupe is - it's good quality, but at end of the day, it's a 26 MPG, reasonably powered car what could use a little more comfort on manual/fabric driver's seat. Financially and practically, it would have made quite a bit more sense to get a Prius III (similar options to EX)

 

Are you ok Mac?

I think there's more than a few who wish they had any Prius, but they've seen the prices and definitely know they can't afford one.

btw, the 17's usually stand out to me and give the car some swagger. Sure, Prius is different and a little odd to some.

Wanna know an econobox?

A Chevy Aveo ........... ewwwwwww

 

He is 14 years old and a car nut Our family is in the dealership business so it rubs off on all of us eventually. He likes the RAV4 too and lately is bugging us to rent a Sienna, but I don't want to fill that tank and the RAV4 is a bit thirsty for my pockets at times So we drive rental Prii around the country I think the car nut people would know differences in various models & trim levels. Personally, I don't care if someone drives a fancy whatever or an econo shitbox, it's their choice what they own or drive and not mine

Mike

 

Actually...I just call it an ecobox.

No I don't own one...I just drive one every day...happily for the most part. I don't own a Leaf either, but to me...it's still a $35,000 golf cart with a climate controlled interior and a DOT certification. They get spittle on their monitors when people who don't own "their" car make that observation as well....
The "you don't own one, so your vote doesn't count" is a sophomoric argument, especially since many of the people on this forum don't own their cars, but rather they make payments (either lease or finance) to some banker dude.


Probably...the "econobox" appellation continues because the G3 shares almost every driveline component and virtually every external dimension amongst its five trim levels---and only a Prius aficionado can easily determine which of the levels that they're looking at from 100 feet. The Prius is a small car. The EPA may "call" it a "mid-sized" car all they want to---but I started to drive in the 70's. Probably, my definition of "mid-sized" car is therefore biased somewhat….but I’m far from being alone in opining that it’s “small.” Finally.....in terms of interior components, the Prius shares many components with their econobox cousins...those being paper-thin carpet, miniscule sound insulation, and LOTS of plastical interior trim. I've had my center console creak ominously from the weight of my arm. The interior door handles have threatened to detach themselves from their door under the abuse of being used as...(wait for it!) a handle. In other words....while the driveline components of this car appear to be first rate...the interior screams "CHEAP!"
Unfortunately...these materials are also shared almost equally amongst the five trim levels.

Reader's Digest Version: Re: Is Prius an Econobox?
Nope. Not to me...but if it looks like a duck...and walks like a duck...and quacks like a duck...and leaves duck-like droppings......it isn’t a swan...no matter how much you paid (or are paying) for it.

We now return you to our previously scheduled ranting and ravings already in progress.....

BTW....I don't consider a $25,000+ car to be an econobox at all, but that's just me being me again.