prius talking points

IMHO the money argument is easy to counter. Unless the person asking the question is driving a Kia or Hyundai they spent more than they needed to on their own car. So if they ask you why you're spending more on a Prius ask them why they spent more on their own car. The answer will usually be they did so because they like the car, and that should be the reason you're buying the Prius.

Prius is:
Safe
Roomy
Fuel effecient
Gives access to HOV lane

These are all good reasons to buy one.

 

I guess it depends on whether or not you actually want to discuss the car with them. I have only run into a few people who actually were interested in my reasons rather than those who were ignorant as to what a hybrid is. For those interested, I try to help them with their questions in case they are thinking of buying one.

For those who fall into the ignorant category, I usually give them a reason (environment, tech stuff) that doesn't appeal to them so they will go away. I realized that this is a car for me not for them. I don't ask them to explain why they thought a Kia or a Ford Taurus was a good car buying decision.

No one in my family really understood why but they all supported me in the end after seeing and driving in the car with me. But they will understand in time that it is a great car. For now, they just know it makes me happy.

 

See Prius talking points at

http://john1701a.com/

 

"what?! why do you want to do that, they're so expensive, you're crazy!" -- dad

Expensive compare to what car? To a beemer? No. To a Corolla? Yes.

"aren't they really expensive?" --co-worker

You can get a Prius under $30k. Again, depends on what you compare it to.

"the money you save on gas won't even amount to extra money you're spending on an toyota, of all things. you might as well get a beemer" --co-worker 2

When someone spend thousands to upgrade to leather. They ever calculate how many years to get even? NO. We are getting a car that's more fuel efficient and pollutes less.

"who gave you that idea?" -- dad

PriusChat?

Any more questions? Bring it on!

 

http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-sellingpoints.htm ...is that resource.

I've been patiently waiting for the day when people become interested in the content, which apparently is today!

That need happened for the Classic model a few years ago. And that result is what the webpage for the HSD model is based on. We ultimately ended up creating a printable version to serve the very purpose that is being seeked here.

So... if you provide feedback, I'll take those comments and build something for us.

 

palau,

I'm more interested in what YOUR answers are to the, "Why?" questions.

How about it?

 

OP, time for some analysis, NOT-CR style:

First, ask him if his choice was a reasonable one ..

What car does you Dad drive, whas it bought new, and how much did he pay for it ?
How much has he spent on maintenence and repairs ?
Ask him permission to peek at his credit card statememtns, and figure out from his last oil change mileage record, how much petrol is costing him.

This is gonna be hilarious ..

 

This is very strange and annoying to me.

If you buy a Beemer or Ford Explorer, no questions, no derision.

If you buy a Prius, which reduces our dependence on imported oil, reduces air pollution, helps promote new (and important) technology, and is safe, practical, roomy, and at least reasonably cost effective, you get the 3rd degree.

Why is that? I truly don't understand the mindset that doesn't question any car choice except the most altruistic one. Only then are you ridiculed.

 

Typical reaction I get is "what took so long, why haven't we always had hybrids?" "Let's take your cool electric car." "How long did you have to wait to get it?"

 

Something that hit me is that most of the time people don't use much of their engine's potential. All that waste in running it just for moments when they want it. The hybrid system gives you that power when you need it, but runs efficiently when you don't. It's got enough power to get you over those mountain passes when you need extended power, but even then I was surprised by how much downhill there is in climbing up a mountain pass.

Don't know if that exactly applies, but think it helps when people understand it a little better and don't think it's all just magic.

 

Guilt. Same reason a cheating husband accuses his wife of cheating on him.

 

Judging from the remarks in this thread I think I must live in a different world. I've had my Prius almost six months. During that time:
1. Nobody has made any remark (at least to me) about the car.
2. On the road nobody has given any indication that they have noticed that it is a "different" kind of car.
3. Nobody has ever asked me if I have to plug it in or why I bought it.
4. Nobody seems to notice when I glide along silently in EV mode.

In short, round here nobody seems to care what sort of car you've got, or even whether you've got one at all!

 

I live in southern california and Prii are EVERYWHERE. I mean its literally impossible to drive on a major highway out here without spotting at least one. I was once driving on the 60 when i was sandwiched by prii, i was in the left lane, there was one in front, one behind and another to my right. I've gotten nothing but positive remarks from people. I've had strangers come up to me in the parking lot and ask me about my prius. How does it handle? How much MPG do you really get? How do you like it etc. I do my best to answer all their questions and they are all intrigued by the prius.

As for the I'd rather buy a beemer remark. Here's the way I see it. The cheapest BMW is the 325i. That MSRP is approximately 32,500 dollars, not counting tax, license fee etc. We're talking about the most stripped down version, no options. Whereas my 05 package 6, with all the options, taxes and everything, is 29,000 out the door. count in taxes and all the other stuff, the 325 is upwards of 35,000. Yes, the beemer is an excellent vehicle as far as handling and performance, i know firsthand because my gf has a BMW 330i. But do I really need to be able to go upwards of 100 MPH or get from 0-60 in 6 seconds as opposed to 10? I don't think so. Plus the premium you're paying for the beemer isn't factoring in the extra fuel costs you'll be paying down the road. My gf absolutely swears by her 330i, she hates japanese cars. However, she drove my prius and said that while the prius is no beemer, its a wonderful vehicle performance wise, throw in the mileage and its a great car.

 

To me the Prius is just a tool..a fine commuting tool. People spend thousands of dollars on specialized vehicles, dirt bikes, Rvs, dune buggys, even SUVs because they filfill a special vehicular need that they have. I have a car for autocross, my trusty Subaru Impreza. I love the Impreza, but the Prius is 100 times better as a commuter car. BP (before Prius) the Impreza was my commuter car, autocross car, and everything else car. My wife's Outback was our trip car, shopping hauler, and "out for the evening" car. Both our Subarus have LOTS of miles, but not lots of MPGs. Think of the Prius as a specialized commuter vehicle, that just happens to do lots of other things well too, room, comfort, quiet, low emissions, and fuel economy too. An RV, dune buggy, dirt bike, SUV will not do everything well, and the Prius beats them on 9 out of 10 reasons for buying a vehicle. My Prius goes much faster in the HOV lane than the other brand-x vehicles sitting in the regular lanes. All the horsepower in the world won't get you home 1/2 hr earlier. My Prius will.

Arguing Prius vs. X brand of car, is like a Chevy guy vs. a Ford guy. Don't waste time arguing, just walk away smiling.

 

They're not that expensive.

We just took delivery of a Barcelona Red Package #1. Exclusive of taxes and fees, and factoring in our anticipated tax break, we will have brought it in for UNDER $20,000.

The packages with navigation and Bluetooth drive up the price pretty quickly (although really, even a fully loaded Prius is a good deal if you have the money to spend). We were insistent on side curtain airbags, but after that, what we really wanted was the hybrid technology and the low emissions. We decided we could live without Homelink, backup camera, navigation, Smart Entry, Bluetooth, etc. Maybe when we buy our next Prius we will be in a better position to get all the bells and whistles, but right now, we are very happy to be cruising the byways in what is essentially a base model car.

You didn't say what package you're thinking about, and at this point, you may not be able to get the full tax break (but I'll bet a 75% one is still in reach), but it's your money and your budget and I'm sure you can find the right car for your price.

Good luck!

 

Hi John

For the money saved on fuel calculation, perhaps you should make a small chart showing money saved at different gas prices. For example, in my area regular unleaded is now $ 3.55 - 3.60 / gal.

So you could indicate how the Prius becomes an even better bargain as gas prices go to $4 (maybe this spring) and $5 (probably in 2009)

 

Roomy? HA, what a joke. This is the most uncomfortable car that I have driven. I'd pick a Miata over this car when it comes to size. My Neon has worlds more room.

The spending more than the gas will be saving is a valid argument. You buy the car solely for increased fuel economy. You can't even get a tax break on them anymore, so that takes that perk away.

The prius is soooooooooooooooo boring to drive. It is so lazy in the corners that it feels like it wants to flip over.

The only good thing about this car is that the ride is halfway decent for a small car.

I absolutly love how it is hit or miss whether or not you will actually be able to fill the tank. And when you try to squeeze extra in, like you would on any other car, it shoots right back out. LAME

The 48mpg in the city is a joke. The only way you can get 48mpg in the city is if you accelerate so slow there is a line of cars behind you that is a mile long. Effectively you are making traffic worse, and forcing these other cars to burn more gas that polutes the environment that you are trying to save.

Want to do a price comparison?
2008 Dodge Caliber SE, 2.0L 4 cyl, CVT, no options: ~$16,000
29mpg Hwy

2008 Toyota Prius, you know all the specs: ~$22,000
45mpg Hwy

20,000 miles/year

Caliber uses: 690 gallons
Prius uses: 445 gallons
Difference: 245 gallons per year

$4.10/gallon

Total cost savings per year: $1005

It will take 6 years to pay back the cost difference of the Prius. I bet most people don't even drive 20,000 miles per year, so the number of years for pay back only goes up. If you don't drive the Prius for 6 years, you will lose money. Add on to that that the Prius is so damn small in the drivers area that a 6' tall person can't comfortably fit.

Final Tally
Comfort: Caliber
Fuel Economy: Prius
Power: Caliber
Cargo space: Caliber
Price: Caliber

Looks like the Caliber wins. Caliber >>> Prius

In other words, the Prius is a joke. Thank you Toyota for building a car that will only fit the smallest of Americans.


Edit: looking over another thread, a good point was brought up. Good Luck getting a Prius for MSRP. MSRP + $3000-$6000, that would be like buying a used Geo Metro for $15,000

 

Dude, you are completely high. I tried out a Dodge Caliber before buying the Prius. I could not fit into the Caliber (or any other small Chrysler product) because there was not enough headroom. There is enough headroom in the Prius (just barely). I'm 6'1".