I was wondering something....Do most people buy a Prius to; 1) Save money on gas 2) Reduce national dependency on petroleum fuel 3) Help the environment
(1)Its a real cool car thats verry fun to drive. (2)Extra spending money because of its great mpg. (3) Less profit for the money hungry oil companys :lol: (4)Cleaner Air and less noisy roads (5) The high Tech! (6) New and different
Can I sign up for all of the above, plus: (1) was in love with it ;-) (2) work incentives (3) HOV lane access (4) resale value
Yah.. it's a cool car to drive. That about sums it up right there. It's even cooler now with all the mods installed
You guys missed my biggest reason. The smug look on my face when I fill up after driving 500 miles and get 9.8 gallons of gas. Just think, if everyone in the US bought a prius we could tell the oil companies how much gas should be rather then the other way around. It also allows me to do my part to reduce foreign oil dependancy and to quietly say to the republican oil president that I do my part... how about you? I'm not beholden to big oil. What irks me though is why I have to buy that car from my former enemy and not our own home grown manufacturers. That is disgraceful. -Paul R. Haller-
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Paul R. Haller @ Sep 20 2006, 01:11 AM) [snapback]322133[/snapback]</div> Have to admit I had a mild case of schadenfruede when I pulled into a gas station to fill up about a week ago. You know how the pumps show the last purchase? Whoever was using that hose before me (they were nowhere to be seen) had pumped $95 worth of regular. "Poor guy..." I am thinking as my fill-up clicked off at $22. Getting partisan can risk the civility that we enjoy here, but to answer your question about what the "republican oil president ... [is] doing." His home in Texas uses solar power and hot water, and its air conditioning system uses ground water, rainwater is collected for landscape watering, and he has grey water recycling system. I recall reading this in a left wing piece that figured it was all an act to look good, but I can't recall ever hearing him or any of his people bragging about the ecofriendly systems at his ranch.
For me it was (1) MPG (2) Brand reputation for reliablity (3) High tech goodies (4) Intrigued by the technology (5) Environment
In order for me: 1. To save money on gas. 2. Currently, it is the hands down best hybrid out there. 3. It's Toyota, great resale value and I know I can pretty much drive it into the ground and get my money's worth - unlike most domestics. 4. I found it very similar to the Camry in interior room and price(when the rebate is taken into account), so if you can do that, save gas and help the environment - why not? I have to admit though, I am one of those (soon to be) owners that is more motivated by the rebate. If I had not landed a model by the cut off date(I pick mine up on Saturday), I may have reconsidered - or at least hold off on my purchase until my old Buick Regal gave out.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gregp @ Sep 19 2006, 11:54 PM) [snapback]322096[/snapback]</div> Fuel efficiency, environmental concerns, like driving something different, "gee whiz" feeling I get just walking up to it, sliding in and pushing the start button.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stanlwyjohn @ Sep 19 2006, 09:26 PM) [snapback]322109[/snapback]</div> Works for me.
to be really honest, on top of the environmental benefits, i think it's the hippest car on the road. it replaced a stodgy volvo wagon, so i was really needing some cool factor in my ride. *sigh*
From the original post - mostly reasons 2 and 3. 1 is just a bonus. I also want to vote with my money - to encourage auto makers to build more fuel efficient models. The popularity and high margins on SUVs have rewarded them for building guzzling behemoths for the past 20 years. I feel like I'm doing my part to encourage development in more efficient technologies.
for me, it was about the environment. i researched bio deisel and came up short on the environmental argument, so the prius it is! I never really liked cars due to the depreciation and maintainence load/cost but i love this car. i'd ride my bike more but i don't feel like getting run over by a mini van again
For me the reasons were (in order): 1- The Prius is the most technologically advanced car in history. I'd better clarify: It is the first car made affordable to the general public that makes full use of all technology available. It is programmed to maximize the marraige of the electric motors and its (very efficient) gas engine, while it recycles the energy it creates. Sure there are more advanced vehicles out there somewhere, but they are less practicle to own and too expensive to obtain. There are other affordable hybrids as well, but they are not as advanced or as practical as the Prius. Toyota has brought hi-tech efficiency to the masses. I wanted one of these about 4 years ago, but I'm glad I couldn't afford one until now. 2- Removes the worry about the price of gas. True, if gas went to $10/gal it would hurt, but not as much as if I didn't have one. 3- Reliability 4- $3150 Tax Credit 5- Holds its value. The salesman actually tried to sell me an '04 Prius for MORE than the new one I ordered. 6- Way cool car. 7- Doing my part to lower gas prices for the country. 8- Doing my part to pollute less. And some after-delivery bonuses I hadn't thought much about: 9- Highly customizable. 10- Even cooler with all the hands-free goodies, voice commands, and keyless operation.