New Prius owner needs love

My boss who drives a 100 series Landcruiser keeps asking "what is the towing capacity of your car again?"
My comeback always was "I also have a RAV4 to tow with, I don't tow a trailer every day." Now I just say "nothing, why?"
I have to admit this is getting much less frequent.
Oh I should say, his girlfriend is about to buy a Prius.

People look for weakness, just tell them they are right, the Prius is a bad mistake but although you could sell it and get a real car you will just have to tolerate it for a while more, smile and move on.

Let people see you sitting in your Prius at lunch time.
If you come to work late tell the boss you were on time getting to the carpark but couldn't bring yourself to get out of the Prius.
Run to your car after work then sit in it until everyone else gets to their car.

 

I have your solution - the Milwaukee Hybrid Group's next monthly meeting is April 19 (I think). Google "Milwaukee Hybrid" for the link to their website, send them an email to get on their mailing list, and take a nice Saturday AM drive to Oak Creek, WI (a southern suburb of Milwaukee). You'll find a bunch of friendly folks eager to talk about their hybrid car, and you'll learn all kinds of things about your new pride & joy. Many members drive a Prius, but there are lots of other hybrid vehicles as well as hybrid wanna-bees. No dues, just bring your car and something to share at the potluck lunch. We also have GREAT door prizes!

 

It's odd: I've read and heard of a lot of people getting the kind of reaction you've described: friends and family members belittling the Prius and the new Prius owner. I never had any of that. In the early days (I own a very early 2004) I got a lot of questions about how it works and what the actual FE was and how well I liked it, but never a single negative comment.

Even my Xebra, which really is a glorified golf cart, gets 50 positive comments for every negative one.

People who criticize you for choosing a clean, fuel-efficient car, have deep emotional problems of their own. And your daughter is well past the age where she has any right to be "mortified" over your choice of car.

I'd reply to all those people: "Hey, it's roomy, it's comfortable, it's extremely reliable because it's a Toyota, it's not a muscle car but it accelerates as well as the average family sedan, and it only burns half as much gas."

 

Next time try:

"No, I can't tow your Landcruiser when its done guzzling down that 145 liter tank of petrol.
But, I'll gladly deliver you several liters next time you run out.
REALLY, don't mention it . . . it would cost me very little to transport it to you." ound:

 

I'm Rusty, and I own a Prius!

My friends couldn't understand why I bought a Prius and they called me names! Really! I usually just laugh and say 45mpg! Now one of them is looking to buy one right now after being in mine. I've had mine for 2 weeks and wish I would have bought one sooner! Congrats!

 

hi John Milo
I am suprised on reactions that you got from people.
hang in there buddy -- things are changing and prius is this new paradigm in how people look at the cars.

anyways, here is my story:

I am zeeman and just a few days ago i purchased a prius.

i worked on exotic cars, from Porsches to Lamborghinis, and i owned a Maserati, so i am not exactly a newcomer to the 'cool car' arena.


but... my prius makes me laugh, i laugh almost like an idiot, when the car shuts off its gas engine and i run on electricity. or when i am at the traffic light and the guy next to me is burning more fuel while idling than i do while i am driving. and, all of that while my engine is off and A/C is on.

well. you know the story about prius... what i am trying to say -- car is way cool and lots of fun.
but, i am lucky that my wife, kids and friends absolutely love it.
today, i shoved the car to my boss who wants to buy a prius for our company. him and couple of other coworkers were amazed by the car, how silent it was and cool dash display and of course nice passenger space.


well, i really love this car, i am getting 50.5 MPG combined driving -- freeway + city, and city has some hills. compare that to 18 Mpg with my 300 E.
well, i really love the fact that it uses 1/3 of fuel that my Mb 300 E is using.

interestingly, my son kept repeating "i love this car" to a point of annoyance


all i need to do now is get some nice seat covers, so i would like to hear some suggestions as what should i get.

also, i checked prius maintenance recommendations and it sure does not seem to require much of maintenance. I heard that prius has timing chain, which would eliminate some of the expensive timing belt changes. has anyone found a good electronic manual that i can purchase/download online?
I love learning about new technology, so getting to know prius is going to be my new hobby.




thank you in advance

a happy prius camper

 

I just got my Prius a couple of weeks ago and I'm loving it. I have the classic Silver. I used to drive a BMW 530i. I got tired of the low mileage and high maintenance of a BMW. I drive the freeways of L.A. and believe me, I have no problem keeping up with the mad Los Angeles traffic.

Personally, I'm looking to get some dark gray sheepskin covers. I think they'd look great in the silver car. I have some web addresses on my laptop. I'll add them here when I get home from the office. Also, I'd suggest looking at the Wheelskins two-tone, perforated leather steering wheel covers. They look great on the Prius. You have to sew them on, but they come pre-hole punched and are fairly easy to install. Takes about an hour or so. Well worth the money though.

 

Hang in there.
Personally, I've had nothing but compliments (and a few questions) from friends and strangers alike. My teenagers would much rather drive the Prius than our other car, a 1998 4Runner.

It's a cool car. You owe no one an explanation or especially, an apology.