Prius Owner Survey: Motivation

1)
a. Low emission
b. High efficiency
c. Room for five

2) 1/2 year. No.

3)
a. Fuel efficiency
b. Room for five
c. Geeky electronics

4)
a. Yes. The Prius allows our family to lower our carbon footprint without making transportation sacrifices.
b. Yes and No. I knew about the fuel efficiency part, but not about the many other cool details.

 

Okay, I'll start. I was going to suggest a poll format, but that only works for multiple-choice questions. Of course, you can search around and people have asked questions like this before, perhaps not this exact way however.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Curious @ Oct 10 2007, 09:43 AM) [snapback]523575[/snapback]</div>

I've been driving for 20+ years, starting with a Mazda GLC that got good gas mileage, and always had an eye on fuel economy. I've been waiting a long time for a car, any car that got >40mpg. I'm an engineer, I don't like waste, and nature-oriented so I don't like pollution. That was before global warming and peak oil were immediate concerns. Other reasons: versatile design, can still haul big stuff, comfortable for family of four and it's not unusual enough for people to ask questions at stoplights (I like being incognito for the most part, so the "unique design" showing off the the fact that it's a hybrid was not a draw, nor was the styling itself).

18 months. No. Looked into it in late 2003/early 2004 when my wife needed a new car, but the waiting list was over 1 year.

fuel economy, reliability, interior space

Pretty much answered that in question 1. I don't really care that it's a hybrid, just that it gets relatively great fuel economy without sacrifice. Of course, that requires a hybrid system in order to not be run over by other big-engined cars in the road. We all need to live lightly, or as the saying goes, "live simply, so that others can simply live". I replaced the windows in my house, put in an efficient furnace, got a job close to home, ride a bike to work a couple times a week, etc. I think you'll find a sizable population here on PriusChat that have taken other green steps, usually years before buying a Prius. Then there's another population here that bought the Prius simply because they have a long commute and it makes economical sense when comparing the Prius to other 4-door cars in the $20K-$30K range.

 

i) I considered it to be a technological tour de force. It is a pleasure to be driving such a well thought out system.

ii) I like the mileage - I believe that the only way to deal with the mid-east oil situation is to get away from importing oil. Changing from a car that gets ~25 mpg to one that gets ~50 mpg lets me do my part, even with a 75 mile per day commute.

iii) My kid needed a car and the car I was driving was in good shape. So, rather than buying her a new car, I bought ME a new car!

I've owned it since April 30 2007. I didn't buy one earlier because I want to make sure that the design is debugged first. NEVER buy version 1.0 of anything!

It's a good, reliable, high mileage car that is fun to drive and fun to use. Comfortable, roomy enough for me, and an all around smoothly functioning efficient car.

Nope. I did not need to have a hybrid. But, it is nice to be able to conveniently save gas without having to resort to using the (really poor) public transportation system in Southern California.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Curious @ Oct 10 2007, 07:43 AM) [snapback]523575[/snapback]</div>

1. Gas prices, gadgets, 6' 2" husband comfortable driving as well as 5' 3" me.
2. Owned it for about 5 months. 2007 model.
3. Fuel Efficiency, gadgets, comfortable.
4. Save money on gas, decrease carbon footprint. (Never heard of carbon footprint until a few years ago)

M. Falk
2007 Driftwood Pearl Prius
Port Orchard, WA

 

Owned 04 Prius, #7, driftwood pearl
1. Gas prices, gadgets, comfortable to drive
2. Owned it for 3yrs 04 model.
3. Fuel Efficiency, looked cool
4. Save money on gas, decrease carbon footprint.

Now own 07 Hycam (traded-in 04 prius)
1. economy.
2. plush comfort for five.
3. luxury car feel / looks cool.
4. save money on gas, lower emissions

 

1) What were the most compelling reasons for you to buy a hybrid?
a) Reduced carbon footprint
b) Mileage (like filling up half as much)
c) known Toyota quality

2) How long have you owned your hybrid? Did you buy one of the first prius models?
My 2006 Prius was delivered in August 2006.

3) What do you like best about your hybrid
a) Mileage
b) Comfort
c) Transparency (don't have to think/act differently to drive it)

4) Does the hybrid fulfill a particular need in your life that non-hybrids have left unmet?
Contribute to CO2 reduction, obtain better gas mileage/lower operational costs

Were you aware of this before hybrids came on the market?
No.

 

1) Reasons I purchased a Prius: -
1/ Size, it is the size car I wanted
2/ Fuel consumption, It will save me money on fuel although I paid more for the car.
3/ Pose value, I hate owning an ordinary car. I want my car to be out of the ordinary, my Camry was an exception for me.

2) How long have I had a Hybrid: -
I bought my Prius second hand a few months ago. It's recycled!
It is a 2004 model so much the same as the current model in operating system and style.

3) What do I like most about the Prius: -
1/ It is fun to drive, watching the fuel consumption provides a challenge to enhance my driving smoothness.
2/ I love the feeling of doing less harm than I would in a conventional car.
3/ I love being part of the Prius community.

4) Does the hybrid fulfill a particular need in your life that non-hybrids have left unmet?: -
Oh yes, I need this car, it's an adiction. The problem will be when I have to replace it I'll have to buy another hybrid or full electric. It's the cool gadgets that do it for me.

4B) Were you aware of this before hybrids came on the market?
For sure I was, my Toyota Crown was a special car, so was the Humber Super Snipe and the Toyota Tercel and the Mazda Rotary and the Fiat 850 coupe. Not into ordinary cars at all. I consider myself a petrol head.

 

1) Global Warming. Climate Change. Peak Oil.

2) 5 months. No.

3) Less impact on Gaia. Techno-geekiness. Comfort, handling, quality.

4) Cheap commuting. Minimizing impact on Gaia. Not terribly aware, as I was in a different life, then.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Curious @ Oct 10 2007, 09:43 AM) [snapback]523575[/snapback]</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Curious @ Oct 10 2007, 04:43 PM) [snapback]523575[/snapback]</div>

 

1) What were the most compelling reasons for you to buy a hybrid? (1-3 would be nice)
- I'm tired of paying continuously manipulated gas prices
- I'm tired of US automakers and oil companies assuming I like being their beyotch
- Hydrogen AIN'T gonna work
- My son's studying to be an automotive design engineer.
- I figured I better understand the future

2) How long have you owned your hybrid? Did you buy one of the first prius models?
- I take delivery in a week of a 2008 White Touring/#6

3) What do you like best about your hybrid (1-3 is enough)
- Gas mileage
- Future of automotive industry
- (hopefully) dependable

4) Does the hybrid fulfill a particular need in your life that non-hybrids have left unmet? Were you aware of this before hybrids came on the market?
- I think we need to do something about our addiction to oil
- I don't think renewable (corn, bio-diesel, etc.) sources answer the pollution question
- I'm HOPING the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) is dramatically less than a conventional vehicle. It looks like it on paper, but time will tell.

I DO feel I'm sacrificing style, power, safety, amenities, and prestige in switching to a Prius. I'm going to try the Martyr Approach that the Hybrid Prius offers, however, I'm prepared to chuck it after one year if I am not satisfied.

 

1) Rising gasoline prices

2) Carpool stickers finally available (bought the car the week Shwarzenegger signed the law allowing one person in the carpool lane driving a qualifying hybrid model.)

3 ) High mileage commutes to and from work, averaging 2,800 miles per month.

1) We bought the 2G (Second Generation in July 2005)

1) It allows both me and my wife to save money on fuel, maintenance costs, and also to form a carpool 6 days a week. I drop her off, then run the carpool lane solo to work and to pick her up in the afternoon.

1) I did not buy the car to save the whales or to make a statement about the environment. Some people will say that I did, but they do not know me very well. One thing I assume about the car is that OBL does not like them. If the car reduces my eco-footprint, then that is OK with me. I'd rather help than hurt the environment. But let's face it, the earth has been heating and cooling for millenia. I don't pay much attention to the green issues surrounding peak oil and all that. Although I do use solar panels to charge batteries for Ham Radio emergency preparedness. Someday I will likely install and operate a wind turbine to reduce my grid consumption. At home we have a tankless water heater too.

I often joke that all of the gas I save in the Prius goes right into my 8 MPG motor home..... :lol:

 

1) What were the most compelling reasons for you to buy a hybrid? (1-3 would be nice)
- Carpool privilege in Bay Area, CA
- 50mpg gas consumption
- save the planet good feeling

2) How long have you owned your hybrid? Did you buy one of the first prius models?
- 1 yr ownership. I bought the 2nd generation.

3) What do you like best about your hybrid (1-3 is enough)
- Carpool privilege in Bay Area, CA
- 50mpg gas consumption
- Fun to drive, lots of gadgets to accompany me on long drive.

4) Does the hybrid fulfill a particular need in your life that non-hybrids have left unmet? Were you aware of this before hybrids came on the market?
- Yes indeed. Filling up gas once in 2-3 weeks rather than once a week is a great feeling. This car is really fun to drive, it is more than just a transportation means, it's also an entertainment tool. I wasn't aware of this fun part, my consideration to buy hybrid was the gas consumption and carpool privilege.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Curious @ Oct 10 2007, 10:43 AM) [snapback]523575[/snapback]</div>

1)
a ) The Prius is a really good car for the money, hybrid fuel efficiency aside.
b ) Really cool features (MFD, GPS Nav, VSC, Bluetooth, and many others).
c ) Good fuel mileage.
d ) Federal tax credit.

2.
a ) one and a half years.
b ) No, we have the 2006 model, which is a third generation Prius.

3.
a ) Really cool features (MFD, GPS Nav, VSC, Bluetooth, and many others).
b ) Very, very fun to drive.
c ) Outstanding fuel mileage.
d ) Very reliable.

4.
a ) No, but I do like the fact that the Prius is the Model T of the new world of automobiles.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Curious @ Oct 10 2007, 07:43 AM) [snapback]523575[/snapback]</div>

1 - Gas mileage, techno goodies, "something different". I upgraded from a string of trucks that had poor mileage and were light on "gadgets". Being a confirmed "geek" I added aftermarket goodies to my various vehicles, but I really liked the way the Prius was bundled. It has a good assortment of goodies: bluetooth, voice commands, a good nav system, etc. in a relatively good form factor. I also like that it is a little outside the normal as far as looks. Some people compare it to driving an "egg", but I like the fact that it does not fit into the ordinary car catefories at first glance: Compact / sedan / sport. It is "bigger on the inside than it is on the outside."

2 - 2 1/2 months. No, I purchased a 2007 (according to the vin, manufactured a couple weeks before I bought it.

3 - Gas savings (old vehicle was around 12 mpg). Gadgets (always looking for more, but the higher packages come with a nice assortment of electronics.) Look and feel (I expected much less as far as ride and power and was pleasantly surprised with both. I think I get a nice ride and a little zip when I need it for the type of car that it is.

4 - I have a relatively long commute, and was getting killed on gas prices. My initial goal was to just get a little "putt-putt" commuter vehicle and suffer rather than paying for so much gas. After doing my research on costs of couurent vehicles I was very surprised to find that Prius pricing was not that far off other vehicles I was considering (and with better extras to boot!) Having a couple friends that already owned a prius and getting excellent long term reviews from them (past couple years) the decision was easy. As for other hybrids, the cost to value didn't add up for me. I get more than just a hybrid with a Prius. I get the most fuel efficient hybrid (according to EPA even after their revamp of specs), a good electronics package, and something that does not look like every other car. It's not going to win any auto shows for beauty, but it is unique to itself.

I hope this helps add to your discussion.

 

1) What were the most compelling reasons for you to buy a hybrid? (1-3 would be nice) Toyota's reliability and great CR ratings, great gas mileage and we just liked the car

2) How long have you owned your hybrid? Did you buy one of the first prius models? Since May 2007 - so no, not one of the first models

3) What do you like best about your hybrid (1-3 is enough) It is fun to drive, I can carry the whole family (2 adults/3 kids) without a problem, gas savings and reliability

4) Does the hybrid fulfill a particular need in your life that non-hybrids have left unmet? Were you aware of this before hybrids came on the market? Not really. We had a Sienna which met our needs, but we didn't like paying $300/month on gas. We anticipated gas prices continuing to be high, so we wanted a car that could comfortably carry all of us to work/school - we carpool - without having to pay tons for gas or worry about a car not having enough pick-up. I recently calculated that in the first 6000 miles, we have saved $450 in gasoline over driving the van.