Should I sell my Prius? I need psychological assistance please.

You need perspective. The world is full of bad drivers, and your area is no exception. Driving a Prius does not make you more of a target, even if it feels that way.

This discussion has been kicked around here before, and the consensus is that it doesn't make much difference what you drive, but many people notice it less when they drive a monster sized vehicle.

Tom

 

You get cut off because you put yourself in dangerous situations. For example, the 2nd lane from the shoulder is NOT the slow lane. Get to that right lane, take a deep breath, and relax.

 

I'm in Newport Beach, and I drive the SoCal freeways all of the time. I can honestly say that the majority of the people on the freeway are complete idiots. I see Prii everywhere I go . . . sometimes taking up 4 lanes across lol. People will tailgate you and cut you off no matter what you are driving.

I might get flak for saying this, but I never drive under 70 on the 405 or 5. I've been tail-gated and cut off like crazy going 80+ as well, driving many different cars.

The Prius will honestly treat you better than 99% of the cars out there, so I wouldn't jump to any quick conclusions.

 

I think I can solve your problem for you in a way that will allow you to keep the G3, hug trees (if you're into that kinda thing) and still save some money, although you'll have to kick out a little up front---like a weekend and about 200 bucks, and then another weekend and about 400 bucks. BUT(!) it will be well worth it.

OK?
Here goes.

Look up the nearest MSF (motorcycle safety foundation) course and take it. You don't ever have to have seen a motorcycle before and they supply a diminutive motorcycle to practice on, as well as (in most states) satisfy the road requirement for a motorcycle endorsement.

Go to the DMV and pass the written test. In this state that will cost you another $20.

Then.....go to the nearest Harley Davidson dealership and rent a Sportster for a weekend, and ride it on the highways and byways in your area.

I promise you that if you do these things, you will never feel uncomfortable riding around with a ton and a half of airbag equipped sheet metal glass and plastic ever again!

Additionally, it will probably break you of any notion of talking, texting, or diddling with your GPS while you're rolling around over there on the left coast. Admit it. You live in SOCAL. You probably do all of the above....unless you don't have a GPS. No waitaminute. You're in SOCAL.
You do them all.

Probably make you a more defensive driver too.

Good Luck!!!


On a more serious note....if day to day traffic angers you to the point where you're chasing down people, waving cell phone cameras, and being a 911 "frequent dialer", then I don't think that illuminating the "change owner" light in your G3 is going to solve your problem. You're just going to be angry and frustrated in a bigger vehicle.
You might seriously want to consider an anger management course.
Yeah....I know. YOU'RE in the right, and the world is full of Foxtrot-Uniform drivers.
Some of those drivers are armed.
Consider that in the "safety" equation the next time you want to chase down some cretin who just cut you off.

Again....
Good Luck!
Consider the motorcycle thing. It's a pretty good stress reliever.
Sounds like you might need it.

 

65-70 mph in the 2nd lane? That's way too slow on SoCal freeways regardless of what you drive. You won't have this problem if you simply drive the flow of traffic.

 

I went to college in LA and used to visit LA semi-regularly (haven't been there in a few years) so I'm very familiar w/how fast people drive in LA.

FWIW, Over in MNL (My Nissan Leaf Forum • View topic - Stuck behind a Leaf in HOV lane), there are even some folks (some in LA!) who are advocating going no faster than the speed limit in the HOV lane. I guess some of them like being the targets of road rage and anger. If too many of them keep it up, the Leaf will be as much of a target for hate as the Prius is (that we're too slow and fast lane hogs).

There are a few WA state drivers interspersed in the discussion where people drive too slow (going below the speed limit in the fast lane for no reason when it's clear, dry and bright outside isn't uncommon) and have poor lane discipline. I lived >9 years in WA state myself.

 

I think the OP has a valid point and I've had some of the same doubts about my Prius. I'm in my mid-50s and have driven over 30K miles per year for decades in a wide variety of trucks, SUVs, and cars, including small cars. I drive between the speed limit and 5 over. In the 4 months I've owned my Prius, I've witnessed years worth of rude and inconsiderate behavior from other drivers toward the Prius. The most frequent issue is drivers pulling out in front of the Prius. While drivers may not see motorcycles, my guess is that they assume all Prii drive slowly.

 

I don't think you actually drive the flow of traffic (75+ mph) if you're constantly getting cut off.

It's not safe to drive slower than the flow of traffic either. Either you drive the flow of traffic (even if it's above the speed limit) or you're going to have problems.

Your concern doesn't make sense to me. You want to sell your Prius so you can get a regular car and drive it like a normal car? Many Prius drivers are preoccupied with maintaining a certain mpg figure. Forget about that on SoCal freeways. You'll still get better mpg in the Prius than any other cars even if you speed up to the flow of traffic.

I've observed this myself. On a trip to Florida, I was wondering why everybody was being slow-poke until I realized they were driving at or near the speed limit. So it really depends on your area. On SoCal freeways you need to drive at the flow of traffic (even if it's +75 mph) if you want to avoid problems.

 

Move to Ohio where no one drives above 70 mph. :cheer2:

 

you've been in california how long and you don't have a therapist yet?

 

I'm going to focus on the OP's question. Should I sell my Prius?

I'm going to say, that's up to the OP. People choose, Buy and Sell automobiles for a wide variety of reasons, from uncomfortable seats to simply the whim of wanting something different.

Real or Unreal, justified or unjustified, if the OP feels that driving a Prius puts himself in a situation that he feels uncomfortable? If he is NOT able to overcome this feeling or perception? Then by all means sell it or trade it in, if that's an option for you.

I and everyone can give you reasons why your feelings or perceptions are valid or invalid but ultimately it's your car and your driving experience. If I REALLY felt every time I drove on the freeway I was putting myself in an abnormally uncomfortable or unsafe scenario? Then I'd change those parameters.

I'm guessing this Prius isn't your first vehicle, and your first driving experience. So I'm assuming these insecurities did NOT exist previously?

My advice? Would be to try to get over them. I think the times you get aggressively passed or cut off, will be relatively infrequent, Prius or no Prius. But only you can determine how you feel. Feeling insecure, or unsafe, or simply uncomfortable driving on the freeway IS a big thing. Give it some time. But if you can't overcome these insecurities? Sure, Sell The Prius...if you have the option, why drive a vehicle that for any reason makes you uncomfortable?

 

What difference does the car make? If you were in a smart car I could understand being a bit nervous. A Prius is a mid-sized car. Believe me, it is not the car - it is the fact that you are a nervous driver. The only answer is to drive a lot more and get more experience. I drive a Prius and have exactly the opposite problem - people who drive too slowly in the left lane. I am constantly having to move to the center lane to pass slowpokes. I often reach 80 or 85 and do not think that is fast.

 

To the OP: go with the traffic flow and do not hypermile in rush hour traffic unless you want to piss people off and get rear ended.

Back in 2008 when I used to own a Gen II prius, I was driving on the left most lane at 85mph (I'd a heavy foot back then since I just switched from an 3.2 TL and am simply not used to speeds less than 70mph. Anyway, this kid in a honda civic coupe races in front of me and slows down to 75mph or something (maybe be saw a cop or was answering his cell phone), nevertheless, this pissed me off and I overtook him from the left (on the shoulder) and went in front of him, started spraying my front & rear window fuild and slowed down to 50, that pissed him off even more and he tried to pull ahead from the right lane but I blocked him off, a few minutes (say, 10-15 min ) of this bs and I had to take an exit and he went his way (luckily, there was no traffic on that sunday morning) Now, thinking back, I realized how stupid that was but my temper on the road scares me sometimes. All I want to do is pull over and break the guys windshield with a baseball bat. If he steps out, well, too bad for him.

 

Sell the Prii and get a SUV if you feel safer that way, most of the times I see the prii drivers the one tailgating and speeding in SoCal

 

Good advice from before. Never know who might be illegally carrying under the seat. So easy to conceal a firearm in a car. Not that I would know by experience, but who's going to know unless they are searched?

Keep yourself in shape and your spirits up to deal with things out there! And keep your Prius It's a great car!

 

ALL of those drivers are armed.

Motor vehicles are weapons too, and plenty of drivers use them a such.