Others Reactions...

Probably depends on what friends you hang out with. Nobody has offered me any ridicule, but they have questions about how I like it and how it works. Strangers ask me questions. I don't think any of my friends fall into the categories of those who would ridicule someone based on the car they drive. Usually you hang out with people like you...

 

All of my friends thought I lost a screw when I got a Prius to sit in my driveway with my Cadillac, but once they saw the leather interior and wood dsh I installed, along with the 50 MPG and the incredible technology in the car , they all seem to have second thoughts.

 

Re: Others' Reactions...

All of the above. After a lifetime of driving Suburbans and other gas hogs, the price of gas got my attention, as well as not wanting to contribute to the fortunes of people who would just as soon kill me.

My first reaction to our national oil crisis was to slow down. Just try driving 55 or 60 and see how many people in huge SUV's go flying by you at 80 mph+. Rather than to be frustrated because I'm being honked and glared at by the rest of the world, I decided to control my little corner of the world and convert to the most fuel efficient vehicles possible.

So, our fleet of company vehicles will be downsized over the next few years as is practical. Started with two Prius and a Tacoma, next phase will be a couple more Prius.

As far as the comments from your buddies, who cares? Do what you know is right and their opinions don't matter. It's amazing to me how Americans are willing to pay over $3. for a gallon of gas and continue to complain without curbing their consumption. I applaud you for being part of the solution! (And your Prius looks great!)

 

I've had my Prius for 1 1/2 months, and have received nothing but positive comments about it from friends, relatives, and even strangers. I was out at Costco today picking up a few victuals for the Super Bowl and a woman who works across the street from my office, but whom I barely know, came over to me and said "I'll bet you love it." Later, in the parking lot, I saw her loading her purchases into the back of a ginormous and fairly new looking Cadillac Escalade SUV, a real monster. I said "wow" and she said "I'll trade you gas bills!" I'll just bet she would. Personally, I'd be embarrassed to be seen in an Escalade, Hummer, or Subdivision anymore.

 

All my friends and family know that I'm a treehugger, so nobody was surprised at all. They all thought the screen is cool. I even started a mini-revolution at my office. I was one of 3 environmental staff at my job, and after I bought my Prius, my boss bought a Highlander Hybrid, and my coworker bought an Escape Hybrid.

 

Get some paint and on the beer fridge in the garage paint,
"Beer purchased with the money I save on gas"
Stock up to overflowing.

Invite them over for a beer.

A money clip with a wad of 100s in it on top of the fridge just drives the message home a bit further.

Edit: - Sign should read.
"American beer purchased with the money I save on imported gas"

 

My friends and co-workers were more fascinated by the technology involved with the car than anything else. Haven't received any negative comments so far.

As a 54 y.o. ex-hippie I did tell them that I did the following after buying the Prius:
- ordered a Peace Sign bumper sticker
- bought black Birkenstocks to go with my work uniform

I'm still trying to reconcile my urge for a double bacon tofu burger

 

When I first got the car the only comments I got were from family. My Dad refused to ride in it. My brother referred to it as the golf cart. But when my brother flew in for a few hours and we met him at the airport, he wanted a complete tour of the car and was quite interested. Also served to correct a few myths he was harboring.

My Dad did make one joke about being electrocuted if I drove in the rain. He eventually had to ride in it. I took him up to L.A. to see the Tut exhibit. He enjoyed the ride.

I still can't get my Father or Mother to drive it. But my Mom likes to ride in it and when we go shopping together we take my car. And when we all go to visit my sister we all go in my car. Of course, that could also be because they drive a Caddy and gas is expensive.

I'm hoping that when then replace that Caddy, they get a hybrid. Either a Cambrid or a Prius.

No one else has said anything. The vice Principal at my school asked me about it when he was looking at either a hybrid Highlander or a hybrid Escape. He chose the Highlander and has been very happy. I notice there is another Prius in the parking lot this year. Must be on of the new staff. Haven't found out who owns it yet.

You must remember that I live in California. People are used to us doing weird stuff......like driving hybrids.

 

I've got a peace sign emblem on mine.

I wear Crocs

Oh, and that's a Fakin' Bacon tofu burger, please

 

I wear SAS.

My back window has a Cool Car Cool Planet sign from Bill Nigh and the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Bumper has "Dog is my co-pilot".

 

I work in an office of 25 engineers and the 1st day I drove to work in my new 2007 Prius (having told them I was getting it) I was met by several colegues standing in the car park holding a long extension lead they had run out from the building.

The same afternoon, I received an e-mail that my car was not toilet trained yet and on investigation I found a trail of "AA" batteries on the ground behind the car.

One day I was at a meeting in an office away from work and an envelope arrived ( stamped and addresses to me) with a small note stating that it was my travelling allowance for the 2 days and included were 2 "AA" batteries.

But I say to all "who really has the last laugh".

 

hahahaha

 

Send them copies of your gasoline receipts via interoffice mail.

 

I've had some friends make comments about my choice. I'm a big guy and I've mainly had SUVs to haul the dog around in and make the Home Depot runs. However, most of them realize how long my commute is and what gas prices are doing. I ran a cost benefit analysis and showed them that, most of my friends are in finance and love charts and graphs. Also the discussion came up regarding the national security issue. I've even had a few friends who scoffed while we were all out together come by to take a look.

 

My friends stop making fun of me when I tell them how much a fill-up cost and how many miles I drive between them.

 

I'm a 58 y.o. survivor of the 60s, was in the Army when many others were enjoying such things as Haight-Ashbury, Woodstock, etc. I'm also a lifetime NRA member/supporter. I'm seriously thinking about putting an NRA bumper sticker on my Prius, maybe one of those old "cold, dead fingers...." ones if I can locate it. We've got to show that it takes all kinds, right?

 

Hi kimber...,

I like this picture as a response - its from "lordmakemeworthy". Both vehicles are designed for the Reynold's numbers they operate at. Unlike allot of the other vehicles on the road. And both vehicles have hybrid power trains.

http://priuschat.com/forums/attachm...t-our-old-spy-plane-sr-71-mach-3-img_0331.jpg

 

Yep. I find that one usually shuts them up. Mention MPG and that's pretty much it.