Why do people hate the Prius?

I'm trying to figure out "You didn't NEED a Prius" ? I suspect that most of us here needed a Prius at least when compared with other choices to fill the requirements. For me it was easy, we required a 2nd vehicle and wanted something that didn't use so much gasoline as it was becoming a major expense (and will be again soon absent an actual Depression.) Add to that it had to be able to haul family comfortably and be dependable. There were 2nd or 3rd choices but the Prius fit the need the best with the fewest compromises. I wasn't looking for some small incremental move in mileage or capability as I tend to own vehicles for about 10 years and 150,000 miles.

I've got to wonder why folks buy things they don't think they need...little wonder our economy is a wreck.

 

That the gas pedal functions is not the point, (listen closely) it's that

"it produces slightly above adequate forward motion upon its use."

YOU NEVER SAID THIS BEFORE. i was listening quite attentively. better speak clearly. i'm not a MIND READER!


The gas pedal in my Z28 works like crazy, thus the gas pedal works better to produce forward motion. The other observations simply point to standard new car stuff...stuff that every car does...

thus, the Prius is just another new car.

a very SOUND argument. great, i'm convinced. the Prius is just another new car so there's nothing great about it because, let's face it, it only has a new car smell, average stereo, gas pedal providing above average forward motion, etc.

i reiterate on purpose so that you will READ it and (hopefully - big hope, i know) see how funny it sounds. when you say something BAD about a car that has been rated #1 in reliability, customer satisfaction, resale value, etc, better come up with something better than "it's just another new car."

that is NOT the way you debate and substantiate your arguments, ok?


That's what I meant, but I guess you still won't get it or simply remain apoplectic.

But I guess we hang around different crowds."
bingo!!! the ONE true fact out of everything you have said. and now the smugness factor has obviously been shifted to potentially racist remarks like "Mine with BBQ & beer, others with tofu & wine?". nice move.

That's quite a leap, there, Bucky. But I'd bet it's one you practice regularly.

Thanks for underlining the word POTENTIALLY. why chose those demographics then? so the "cool" kids BBQ and drink beer? whatever. this is getting out of topic.

the bottom line is, no one gives a dime about what you think of us. we can call us prius drivers (including your "dear") smug or whatever. we clearly don't hang out in the same circles, and i would hate myself if i ever did. if you can't say nice things about people, then it's better to not say anything at all.

And the point of what you're saying about me is...?

Gosh you're slow. i'll say it to you one more time, SLOWLY.

IF you have nothing NICE to say about people (got that part?).....(like, "oh that's a nice dress", etc - you may not be familiar with the concept of being nice).... THEN don't say anything at all ..... (i'll let you think deeply about this one for a moment). so i hope this sounds familiar to what your mom might have taught you.

That it's also better if you don't say anything at all?

ooh. yeah you got the concept right, but it's a pathetic way of telling me to shut up (you're stealing my lines!). you're getting there (got the concept down this time?).

also, what i have said to you was NOT meant to be nice. i was frustrated (to say the least) of your pointless arguments that have no debating value.

I don't think like you so I should shut up? Phhffft.

Ummm first off, this sentence doesn't make sense. typos throughout your posts. if you want to pretend to sound intelligent or mask your ignorance, you should at least learn to spellcheck (or spell).

"Phhfft" - a nice dismissal of my argument. you must be one of those stubborn kids in elementary school whom the teacher has told over and over to "don't even start it" (as in, don't cause trouble with the other kids), and all you got to reply was that noise you just made.

yes if you don't like someone because of their personalities (and you don't even know the person!), shut your mouth if they haven't done anything to you directly.

and as i recall, you were accusing other people in this thread of making invalid assumptions about you. want to talk about invalid assumptions? take a look at the crux of your points (smug bastards drive Prius, right?). geez, do as i say but not as i do? LOL. you're a funny man.

so what IF some of people in this forum are smug while others aren't? it's called LIFE. people are different. grow up dude.

Dude? And did I just see you admit what you were saying doesn't happen? (NO) Prius owners are ok being smug? (it's their own business)

yay, now it's MY turn to tell you to LISTEN UP. see that big bold, italic, underlined, and capitalized word in red?..... ok i'll give you a moment with the "ah ha" moment. wear glasses when you read if you need to.

now, have you ever met a smug Lexus driver? a smug Hummer driver (i've seen these guys a lot)? a smug Mustang driver (predominantly young adolescents)? are you starting to see my point? i know you're slow, but try to keep up. get back to me if you have questions. remember, there are NO DUMB questions, except maybe in your case.

 

I'm not trying in the least to be preachy, and I hope it doesn't come across as anything near it. Neither am I trying to push V-10-ness upon anyone. Through the conversation at hand these things have come up. That's all. I, too, try real hard to mind my own bidness. It's always a good thing to to. BUT, I answered the OPs question and here we are...still.

Regardless of how many people would wish it different, stereotypes most generally have their origins in the truth or in something real. I hope you recall that I have tried as often as I could to point out that the percentage of snooty and self-absorbed/important Prius owners is an an unknown and likely small number. I have never said that all were, yet that's what you'd think I said if you weren't paying very close attention.

The Prius is good a what it does, there's no question about that. It was designed to haul a certain amount of cargo and people over certain distances with an amazing amount of efficiency through an amazing amount of technology. But it can never be all things to all people, so there will always be a need for things other than the Prius. *Generalization Warning * City people will never understand trucks. Country folks will wonder and scratch their heads over the For2. As long as people try to understand others' ways of life, things will be better.

We can only hope...

 

It was simply the choice you made. I'm not complaining, I'm just pointing it out. There are others that would have been good, you drew your line where it was good for you, as did others. But there are a number of cars that do the job the Prius does at a close price. The rest of the choice is want.

 

I could do without the wild formatting. When a post is this hard to read, I just skip on to the next one.

Tom

 

You must have missed the part where I was going through other smug types.

 

Oh brother.

I think Mr. Clarkson might want to remind himself that with the widespread use of diesel engines for automobiles in Europe, they're started to run into serious problems with higher NOx and diesel particulate emissions, both of which are not healthy for humans. Indeed, no diesel-powered car sold in Europe can meet the EPA Tier 2 Bin 5 standard; here in the USA, to make a diesel engine meet T2B5, it requires exorbitantly expensive exhaust emission controls, including in many cases the use of urea gas injection into the exhaust stream to reduce NOx gases to NO2, which is easy to remove with standard catalytic converters.

 

I don't think there are "that many" people that set against the Prius. Yes, there are some, but probably no more than people who don't like Pepsi, MAC, or Britney Spears.

It was obvious from the video, though, that some people don't appreciate the hype around Prius and don't believe the concept of hybrid cars is making our planet greener. Well, there were days when most people believed that cars will never replace horses. Only time will tell.

I personally think that the future is in hybrids regardless of the main source of energy (diesel, hydro-, solar, wind, nuclear, whatever). It's only make sense to have a backup reservoir to store unused energy in order to use it when it's needed.

When I am standing in traffic, I do feel like I went back from the future into an era of dinosaurs. To me, it's seems so simple and natural to shut off your engine when you don't need it. But yet, all these monsters around are so univolved and primitive that they can't do such simple thing and continue chewing their food in order to keep their blood running. Yes they are big, loud, and overpowered as true dinasaurs. But they are going to extinct soon, that's for sure. And that mister from the video alone with Mr Incredible will be driving next generation of hybrid cars and wonder how we could live without them (just like we are wondering now how people lived without cell phones 50 years ago). At that time, nobody will remember VW Lupo (unless there will be a hybrid version), but will remember that the hybrid era started from that "very expensive, not terribly green, slow, cheaply made, and pointless way of moving around" - the Prius.

 

Drive the car and enjoy. Good grief.

Save the drama for your mama.

Get your 45+ mpg and smile. We're all driving basically for free right now. I smile.............ru all smiling??????????

 

To the original question, it seems to me to be selfishness. Now again the big SuV's are stomping the gas and racing all over. For what? Idiots. I suggest to people I know, now is the time to buy the Prius or other equivalent, and pay a reasonable price. The idea is to keep oil use down, so it costs less for everyone. Especially the farmers, truckers, buses, government,etc, that NEED large vehicles to provide goods and services. The idea isn't only to save oneself a few bucks at the pump. Obviously, many people don't care about anything but themselves, and even can "hate" others who buy a car that doesn't waste oil.

 

FOR THE TROLLS:

A better approach to understanding Prius owners is to look at the polls we've conducted over the past year. Using facts and data or direct observation is called empiricism and separates "Dark Ages" thinking from "the Age of Enlightenment:"

10-22-2008 Poll: Refueling problem poll for all Prius Owners (tech)
10-20-2008 Poll: New Prius Poll--From the Prius Team (tech)
10-14-2008 Poll: Are you getting the tax credit for your 2007 (fiscal)
9-17-2008 Poll: extended warranty poll (fiscal)
8-18-2008 Poll: Hydrogen Generator Interest Poll (tech)
7-25-2008 Poll: Hypothetical Hymotion L5 Priuschat Group Buy (fiscal)
6-28-2008 Poll: Prius Automatic door lock (tech)
6-16-2008 Poll: Tire Pressure Poll - Where is Yours? (tech)
5-14-2008 Poll: Hypothetical Plug-in Supply $4,500 plugin kit DIY (fiscal)
5-13-2008 Poll: Poll - How many have disabled reverse Beep (tech)
5-9-2008 Poll: Poll: Out of gas (tech)
4-20-2008 Poll: How many miles do you drive your Prius (operation)
3-22-2008 Poll: BT Tech Logo Poll (style)
2-28-2008 Poll: Off with the ring! -- Trim Ring (tech)
2-23-2008 Poll: Louver Purchase Poll (fiscal)
2-19-2008 Poll: Poll - What color is your Prius (style)
12-22-2007 Poll: Poll: BT Tech Stiffening Plate (tech)
11-24-2007 Poll: Would You Buy A Prius Again? (fiscal)

What we can tell is our interests are:

9 - technical
6 - fiscal
2 - style
1 - operation

This 'poll of the polls' suggests we really don't care about the nonsense of others. We are primarily interested in technical and fiscal issues of our Prius. Both "style" polls have to do with the vehicle, not other drivers or other car owners. Finally, we are interested in how much useage we are getting from our rides. As a moderator of GreenHybrid.com and fairly active over the past three years, the GreenHybrid polls have followed a similar pattern.

So what we find is Prius and hybrid owners don't show much interest about the self-imposed problems of others. We have our own problems to worry about. Fortunately, our problems do not include choosing between filling the tank versus getting a gallon of milk or worse.

ORIGINAL QUESTION: "Why do [TOP GEAR rjw] hate the Prius?"

people = "TOP GEAR" the U-tube clip that started this thread.

David Beale posted an excellent comment that the Top Gear criticism of the Prius is about "ratings" but then I realized it is also about their suppliers of "super cars."

Top Gear gets to borrow a large variety of European super-cars and drive them at high speeds on race tracks. The manufacturers of these super-cars see the Prius as competition. Top Gear realizes that if they were to say anything nice about the Prius, the availability of these fun super-cars would evaporate.

Now driving a high powered car with advanced suspension on a race track or airport runway is a lot of fun. In fact, it is a blast if you don't have to pay for the gas. So to protect Top Gear's supply of super-cars, they have to treat as the enemy, anything that might impact super-car sales. It is simple self-interest.

Bob Wilson

 

To Mr.Incredible:

i give up. you are hopeless beyond reason. whatever you said is so meaningless that it's not worth my time responding anymore. see ya troll. remember one thing... i don't care whatever you think of us prius drivers. peace.

 

I'm not a troll, I'm just some guy that doesn't think like you. None of this was ever personal for me, so I don't get what the big deal was all about. The world is full of people that think differently...it's awful hard to keep from bumping into them now and then.

If you have such difficulties talking with people that don't think like you, I suggest you cease contact with foreign ideas, and seek medical attention immediately.

 

Amen, +1. Last summer when gas was costing about $4.20 per gallon locally, I did a bit of calculating and determined that driving the Prius cost me a comparable amount to when I used to drive a 24mpg car and gas cost $1.75....which didn't bother me in the slightest. So I smiled, and now that it is the functional equivalent of when it cost $0.50, my smile is even bigger.

If someone doesn't like a Prius, well, I urge them to not get a Prius. If you don't like abortion, don't have one. If you don't like guns, don't buy one. Same deal.

 

When I said people with low self image bought sports cars and V8 (or V10) trucks you got all defencive but when you said Prius drivers were smug that wasn't personal? Sorry I don't get it.

 

I think it all comes down to one of two things. 1.) Ignorance or 2.) Ego And by ego, what I mean is people think their car is the best and everything else inferior. Frankly, I think it's kind of a dumb mindset.

I've long lived by the mantra "Drive what you love and love what you drive."

08H3

 

Hi 08..,

Well, yep, I think it might be ignorance. I have wanted a Prius like car since 1979. I had the benefit of being taught how a Hybrid improves on fuel economy in that year, in college. So, yea, most people out there have not had college lectures on Hybrid cars, and thus are ignorant of why they are such a revolutionary thing, as much as front wheel drive.

 

Well let's see the WikiPedia definition:

An Internet troll, or simply troll in Internet slang, is someone who posts controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum or chat room, with the intention of provoking other users into an emotional response[1] or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion. (Troll (Internet) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
​

In fact, there a precise definition within that article by Judith Donath:

So if we roll back to the original thread, it was about "Top Gear" doing another one of their 'beat the Prius' articles and then you began posting. Since then, your postings have lacked Prius content but instead been focused upon:

• accusations of Prius owners and PriusChat posters of some indecipherable nonsense
• defense that you are not a troll

You could prove us all wrong by going back to the original subject, "Top Gear" and their Prius review and dropping personal attacks and accusations but that is not going to happen.

After all, "How hard can it be?" (can you guess the author of that phrase?)
​

You're a troll and frankly, pretty clueless. A one-trick pony, and beating up on your postings ... well that fits with one of the worst Christmas wishes ever uttered in a conference call:

"We've had some rough spots but Merry Christmas everyone." (followed by the sound of crickets as everyone was stunned.)

Translation: 'Including you a**holes, Merry Christmas.' So if you respond, you're a "rough spot."
​

One of the Christmas traditions in Mexico is to suspend a pinata so folks can take a stick to it. Apparently, you are our Christmas pinata and a fine one at that. <WHACK> Some of us have fine "clue by fours" and since you like the beatings. <WHACK> But we need a Christtmas pinata carol along the lines of Shel Silversteins "Masochistic Baby:"

Ohhh, ever since my masochistic baby done left me,
I've had nothing to hit but the wall,
do . do . do
Ever since my masochistic baby done left me,
I've had nothing to belt but my pants,
do . do . do
I loved my baby and I loved her all
but she loved me most of all when I bounced her 'ginst the wall
Oh ever since my masochistic baby done left me,
I've nothing to whack but the troll ....
​

Get over it. You are what you are and your postings here are begging for abuse:

A man walks into an office.

Man: Good morning, I'd like to have an argument, please.

Receptionist: Certainly, sir. Have you been here before?

Man: No, this is my first time.

Receptionist: I see, well we'll see who's free at the moment.

Mr. Bakely's free, but he's a little bit concilliatory. No. Try Mr. Barnhart, room 12.

Man: Thank you.

He enters room 12.

Angry man: WHADDAYOU WANT?

Man: Well, Well, I was told outside that...

Angry man: DON'T GIVE ME THAT, YOU SNOTTY-FACED HEAP OF PARROT DROPPINGS!

Man: What?

A: SHUT YOUR FESTERING GOB, YOU TIT! YOUR TYPE MAKES ME PUKE!

YOU VACUOUS STUFFY-NOSED MALODOROUS PERVERT!!!

M: Yes, but I came here for an argument!!

A: OH! Oh! I'm sorry! This is abuse!

M: Oh! Oh I see!

A: Aha! No, you want room 12A, next door.

M: Oh...Sorry...

A: Not at all!

A: (under his breath) stupid git.
. . . (Jokes - Monty Python - Arguement sketch)
​

So in the spirit of Christmas and your masochistic attitude, enjoy the "clue by four" our pinata friend. <WHACK> <WHACK> <WHACK>

Bob Wilson

ps. I'm the one on the right:


pps. A favorite scene from Airport:

...
Oldlady : I can't stand it anymore, I've got to get out of here. I've gotta get out of here.

Elaine : Calm down get a hold of yourself (shaking the old lady)

Gentlmn : Stewardess, please, let me handle this ( grabs the old lady and starts to shake her, slaps her )

Gntlmn2 : Calm down, now get back to your seat, I'll take care of this. (grabbing old lady and punching here) CALM DOWN, GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF!

Nun : Mr, your wanted on the phone . . . (grabbing old lady) Everything's going to be alright ! Please. (direct punch)

Gntlmn3 : Sister, I'll handle this.
( There is now a line of people with baseball bats and whips waiting to help the woman )
​

 

"with the intention of provoking other users into an emotional response[1] or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion"

Sorry Bob, you're wrong this time if you are alluding to me being a troll. Some of your response was humorous, but a bit out there.

I must emphatically state that I did not respond to the original post with troll-like intentions. Nor have I been deceptive in my identity. I am a Prius owner and have not misrepresented myself as anything more. I gave an opinion, pure and simple. That this opinion stirred things up is unfortunate, but the responses are the responsibilities of those who gave them. If they can't be civil that's their problem.

As closely as I could in each of my postings I stuck to the Prius owner theme, so I don't think you are being completely honest in your portrayal of my answers. Some of my answers were not completely Prius oriented as they were dealing with subjects that were not about Prius' but about me. That is sometimes the nature of adult conversation, sadly.

All the rest of your aspersions appear to be personal in nature and do not appear to be Prius-owner related. Does that make you a troll, as well?

It appears that my original post has not been too far off the mark. Still, and yet again, there is proof aplenty that some Prius owners take themselves a little too seriously. People in the outside world see these instances and, not having first hand interactions with completely normal Prius owners, might believe that is the norm. If there are some people that can't live with that, I just don't know what to tell them.

I have a great deal of respect for those in this forum with so much more experience with the Prius, and education in general. I have learned much here and look forward to doing so in the future. But experience with Prius and education doesn't appear to mean manners are automatically included.

 

Pat, if my posts sounded defensive then either I didn't say them right or you didn't take them as intended. I was explaining a point of view, rather than getting defensive. It could be you, it could be me, it could be both. I do not know...