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Prius an ugly car.....

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Mrpcar, Mar 3, 2013.

  1. Mrpcar

    Mrpcar Active Member

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    Often I hear people tell me that the Prius is an ugly car, looks like a turtle, turd just about every ugly name that can be used is associated with the Prius.

    But, I think it's a good looking car. I mean, I think I have pretty good taste in cars. After all my major in college was industrial design and I think I know a thing or two about shape of cars.

    So I don't get it.
     
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  2. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    What's there to get, not everyone likes the same thing... Lol.

    I think more people don't like it because of what it is more so than how it looks.
     
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  3. Lutchenko

    Lutchenko Will Perrin

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    I think it's a great looking car. My 20 year old daughter tells me it looks like a transformer :)
     
  4. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    If you are in an ugly car, you don't have to see it!

    Ford Falcon 2 door wagon
    Mazda 808 Mizer
    Mazda RX-5 Cosmo
    Mazda GLC
    Ford Escort wagon
    Toyota Corolla All-Trac wagon
    Subaru Forester
    Toyota Prius
    Toyota Prius v

    While I somehow missed owning any AMC or Pontiacs, I have a long history of ugly cars.

    [​IMG]
    Whoever designed the last 3 feet of this car, never met any of the other Toyota employees. The roofline does not match, neither the top or bottom of the rear windows match. and they are at a different angle to the ground. (you can see it in the reflections) The window trim does not match either. Those of you who fuss about wheel size, 13X5.5 I drove it for 20 years.
     
  5. GBC_Texas_Prius

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    When I bought my Prius, the salesman said it wasn't right that Honda copied the Pruis design for the Insight. My thought is that is if you go through the aerodynamic wind tunnel tests, you come up with pretty much the same shape.

    As far as the Pontiac Aztek, leave it up to GM...
     
  6. armoredsaint

    armoredsaint Anti-Eco Company Car

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    it definitely wasn't made to turn heads - often than not it stereotypes the owner as a liberal hippie ;)
     
  7. Bob Hahn

    Bob Hahn Wingman08

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    Well, I love the hatch back, they look good and so convenient. After my wife bought hers and I still had my RAV4 it didn't take long to realize for the difference in space there was no longer a need for the RAV. The Prius even has the lift back, the RAV opEned like a door. So if some butt parked behind me in the lot, I couldn't put the groceries in the damn thing. I just didn't need the 20-23 mpg either. It was a no brainier.
     
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  8. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I think Paradox nailed it. If you look at your car compared to 80% of the other cars in the parking lot I find it hard to believe that so many people think it is ugly from a design aspect. Haters gonna hate.
     
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  9. xPETEx

    xPETEx Junior Member

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    I didn't like the look of them prior to the gen 3. I really like the new ones. But I think Toyota's been hearing the same criticism so they're supposedly making the gen 4 look even better.
     
  10. Bob Hahn

    Bob Hahn Wingman08

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    Not so sure about that. I'm afraid some preliminary or potential reviews there is big change coming. I'm hoping the early sneak previews are wrong, for 2015.
     
  11. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    The external styling doesn't do anything for me, but I'm generally style impaired on most things. And all that is forgotten the moment I step inside. The function is much more important.
     
  12. Z-Prii

    Z-Prii New Member

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    While the Prius may not have classically beautiful lines, I do find myself appreciating its exterior styling in much the same way I appreciate the appearance of a well designed sports car; that is, its style alludes to its function. I recently purchased a '13 Blizzard Pearl last month and every time I walk up to mine, its appearance serves as both an indicator and a reminder to me that this vehicle was designed for a very specific purpose: to achieve impeccable fuel mileage. Different, yes, but very neat nonetheless.
     
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  13. Bob Hahn

    Bob Hahn Wingman08

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    Very well put, thank you.
     
  14. batsai

    batsai Junior Member

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    I just bought a new 2012 Blizzard Pearl Prius with moonroof this past month, and I hate to say it, but the first thing that attracted me to it was the look! The Prius is definitely iconic- it isn't a copy of anything.

    I'm pretty meticulous about the upkeep of my car, and I have yet to meet a single hater. In fact, most of my friends have no idea about how the hybrid synergy drive works, that the battery won't die after a year, or that it doesn't take 5 minutes to go from 0 to 35 mph, etc... I've heard many descriptors- cool, neat, beautiful, but never anything negative (at least not to my face).

    While you do see quite a few Priuses (Prii?) where I live, I have to say I love the exterior styling- not quite a sports car and definitely not a luxury car, it has a personality all its own- and that's what I love about my Prius. :)
     
  15. -1-

    -1- Don

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    :DThe Gen 3, with nice wheels is a hot ticket. Plus, most are at least envious of the fuel mileage.
     
  16. Chris S

    Chris S Active Member

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    I don't think it's an ugly car but I also don't think it's very attractive to me. I do wish I had sprung for red or BP over the silver but overall, I like that it is different than other cars (but not in the same way as a Pacer or Gremlin). I'm sure I sound confusing but I do think when nice wheels and touches are added, it is definitely a cool looking ride in its own way.
     
  17. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    I think the Prius is a "unique" looking car. It certainly stands out from the others. The fact that so many other cars have tried to imitate the Prius design speaks for itself.

    I have found that the hybrid skeptics will say that the car is ugly where others are either neutral or say the car looks fine.

    My measuring stick this day and time are my kids and their spouses. They all think the Prius looks cool, especially the Gen 3. That is all that I need to know.
     
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  18. FranklinS

    FranklinS Ach crivens ye scunners!

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    I don't think the Gen 3 is ugly at all. Seems iconic and in the same class as a VW bug. Cute comes to mind.
    The same can not be said about Edsels, Henry J's, Fiat sedans, etc.
    I think when the new Prius comes out it would be silly to loose a design heritage that works.
     
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  19. Bob Hahn

    Bob Hahn Wingman08

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    Agree!
     
  20. Bob Hahn

    Bob Hahn Wingman08

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    I'm all for some tweaks, some subtle mods in the name of improved mpg, lower resistance, eye candy, comfort, but keep it sporty, futuristic look, the 5 door hatch back. Why copy, every other auto company and their European style, Yuck- barffff.
    I believe part of the Prius appeal is its look! Its not every other car! It's design and it's style are the appeal for its owners.
    These folks are pragmatic, they are efficient, they are Eco friendly, they are looking to save money at the pump. they certainly do not like giving the big oil industry any more money. Prius people like reliability, they like quiet, they are their own people and are willing to be leaders. They catch a lot of crap for their convictions to every thing Prius stands for.