New Owner, some observations...

The initial message has a lot of truth: a lot of Priuses I see in Maine have "Obama" and "Peace" stickers on them. Coupled with inconsiderate to others driving habits, that some of us develop in order to achieve that 59 mpg, and other smug comments, seen even in the responses to this original post, people driving regular cars start hating all of us. I feel that hatred, too, even though I go with the traffic flow, I do not have any political stickers and never downgrade anyone in the gas station. For some Prius drivers it would be very useful to watch this episode (or watch it again), that has been posted multiple times on PriusChat: it will be like looking into a mirror. Yes, a lot of people hate us and we mostly deserve it. Happy watching: Smug Alert (Season 10, Episode 2) - Full Episode Player - South Park Studios

 

Driving a Prius can be a Political Statement. Drive safe and ignore the zealots

 

Let's just not shove our political statements and smugness into other people's mouths.

 

I don't understand why people have issues with the car. I find my buddies with the trucks were the most vocal when i got it but now they've chilled and have fun watching my modifications. I think these might have scored some cool points because now they see it more as a car I'm having fun with. I have very liberal family across the street with a Obama-covered Gen II and I think they created a stereotype but now there are 4 newer ones added to the small street in under a year!
I drive mine about 5 to 10 over the limit, chilling in the right lane also behind trucks. I found this car has made my commute almost relaxing since I see no desire to be in a rush, gains nothing in the big picture. On the other note, I do bite the bullet to stay with traffic on the high-speed 2-lane roads, people are relentless and push you along no matter what you drive. A line of cars miles long but you are the only one in the way if you aren't tailgating the guy in front of you at 75 in a 55! I just crank the tunes, roll with the flow and try my best to ignore the buttheads or else just get out of their way. Glad I don't have to rush, and the car helped re-enforce this.

 

Other drivers hate Prii drivers for lots of reasons. Some of us drive for the best mpg's - had a moment or two of road rage build with other Prii owners with pulse and glide folk. Some hate Prii drivers because of our being happy with the savings at the gas pump.

Some will just find any excuse to hate the Prius. Call it the Fox News effect. From 2001 thru 2009 (the Bush years) Toyota sold about 808 thousand Prii. The biggest spike in 2007 with 181 thousand sold. Since 2007 the best year under Obama has been 147.5 thousand in 2012.

In the end we have lost the ability to happy and civil to each other....