Great car, aggrivating people

That's good advice, I'll have to keep that in mind.

There was a particular story published in a British paper that said a Toyota factory was destroying the environment to build the NiMH batteries. Turned out it was a nickel mine, owned by a nickel company, and the degradation had happened decades before the Prius came out. But Toyota does buy nickel from the company (about 1% of their output), probably mostly for stainless steel and chrome in addition to whatever the batteries need, so with a lot of stretching they were able to blame the Prius for all the problems. It was easily refuted by anybody doing a bit of investigation, but it's hard to argue with people who read the original article, or more likely blogs that were based off the original article.

The only negative comments I've gotten run on either battery life (easily refuted, I just talk about the Canadian taxis over 250K, or Jesse's Prius that was totalled at 349K miles, all on the original batteries), or how the hybrid premium won't pay for itself. That's died down in the last year, especially with Consumer Reports essentially reversing themselves in two years time. My dad keeps forgetting I get over 50mpg on the highway, he thinks it only gets good mileage in city driving, but he admits now he likes the car, and I think he might buy one when he's in the market next.

OTOH, the first time gas went above $3/gal, people were congratulating me on my smart choice. I just kind of smiled and didn't say that it wasn't for $3/gal that I bought it. It was for peak oil, cleaner air, national security, and the possibility of gas going over $5/gal in a few years, but it's hard to convey all that quickly.

 

They also retracted it. See Toyota factory | the Mail on Sunday.

 

Good to know, but it was too late as the crackpots already took the story and ran with it. Same with CNW's dust-to-dust report, their follow-up study in 2007 shows the Prius and HCH cost less per mile than the SUVs, but nobody pays attention to that one. Hard to put the worms back in the can.

 

So just over a month ago I buy my Prius and when I get to work people ask me what I bought so I tell them a beautiful Mag Gry Prius Touring. They all laughed and started to call me names. One guy kept laughing that he always tries to push the Prius's along on the interstate. I told him.. and the others....45mpg!! They laughed. The next day the Prius pusher asks me to show him my car. I couldn't help laughing because of all the crap I took the day before. He can't believe the car. Then we discuss mileage, and his big Prius pushing Tahoe gets 14 to 15mpg. I told him to do the math and that he could laugh at me when he compares the operating costs of his vs the prius. He did and as of yesterday, bought himself a Black 2008 Touring Prius from the same salesman that sold me mine. Of course he told my salesman Jason Sangmaster (Toyota, Vallejo, CA), that he needed bragging rights over what I bought mine for. So they sell it to him for 200 dollars cheaper then mine. I was happy about my deal and happy for him too. I asked him today how he feels about those big arse trucks that try to push him along. He just smiled and stated... 45mpg!!!!

 

still would really like rearward facing car to car missiles!

or harpoons that point at the offending truck's grill and say "back off!"

 

I've always wanted an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) gun that would kill a car's electrical system when the trigger was pulled.

 

Edensdad.... I feel your pain! I live in Hernado County too.... I know what you mean about SUV and Pickup owners.... Just check the fuel consumption and giggle all the way to work!

 

Heh, funny story. One of my coworkers bought the exact same Prius as me (color and package) but got the sales guy (fleet sales, bought through Costco program) to go $1 less tham what I paid for it!

 

Just bought my Prius (touring, package #6, silver pine mica) on Friday but with all the rain haven't got any good pics yet. I live in Ruskin, Fl and drive 40 miles every day (one way) to MacDill AFB where I work. I've driven 120 miles so far and reset my consumption as recommended in the previous thread but only get 38.3 mpg right now. Read in another thread to give it some time. Love, love, love the car anyway!!!! The bells and whistles even had my husband impressed. Anyway, I'll probably try to attach a pic of my baby soon.

 

Buy a toyota keyring and show it to him and tell him you recieved it in the post free, that will bug him when his doesn't come.

 

Yeah, coworker complained about the battery issue.
"I love my Volvo wagon!" she says
What's the MPG, I ask.
"Uh.... around 20," she replies.

 

around 20 is liars talk for 17! Just wait until gas goes up again and again and again. She will dump that Volvo pig for a better car!

 

Hi Drees, I agree with Patsparks. Just remember...you had yours first!