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Pleased to join the cult

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by sfmark, Jan 15, 2005.

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  1. sfmark

    sfmark New Member

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    After a three month wait, my new salsa red Prius is here and getting its predelivery service. It’s been over a month since my 13 year old Previa died (she served us well!), so I’m ready.

    When I first became interested in the Prius it was for the usual reasons: economy, making a political statement, and it looked cool to my geeky eyes. Actually, my first look at a Prius last year was a double take (“what is THAT? – it’s way coolâ€), followed by the discovery that this thing was a hybrid – the new Prius, no less. It was love at first sight.

    But that wouldn’t have been enough. A test drive was helpful, but the thing that took away any doubts was reading PriusChat (and PriusOnLine). The enthusiasm for the Prius that’s on display is nothing short of astonishing. After extensive reading here, I felt confident that this was one terrific car, and that a purchase would not be a mistake. I’m grateful to all the people who have taken time to write helpful and thoughtful letters at PriusChat.

    In the best sense, I feel like I’ve joined a cult. In the 1950s, my cousin had an MG, and everywhere he went other MG owners (there weren’t many) waved and chatted (in the old sense). Then when I got my first car in the late 1960s, it was an old VW bug, and other bug owners (and pretty much anyone with long hair) would wave. And now suddenly there’s a new cult of people who feel that wasting petroleum is dumb and are willing to do something about it, and who like a cool looking car. They like to chat, too, in the modern sense. That’s a cult I’m happy to join.

    And I’ll bet there are other Pruisites out there who started with a bug…

    My dealer (San Francisco Toyota) told me that he and many other dealers often watch these forums for information about customers. I hope they’ve taken home some good lessons about the loyalty – and buying savvy – of their potential patrons. I really hope that Toyota likewise is paying attention: PriusChat is a gold mine of information for a anyone who wants to know how to improve an already-great car, and (better still) how to make the sales and service side as good as the car. (It’s also a marketer’s dream – happy customers testifying in public. Who could ask for more?)

    So the purpose of this note is to say thank you: To those of you who have contributed information, registered your feelings, or provided opportunities (especially Troy, whose warranty I hope to take advantage of) – thank you all for participating in a very interesting and useful forum.
     
    #1 sfmark, Jan 15, 2005
  2. Wolfman

    Wolfman New Member

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    Welcome to the group.
     
    #2 Wolfman, Jan 15, 2005
  3. Sufferin' Prius Envy

    Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member

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    Yep, Welcome!
    And here are two more points to double your score.
     
    #3 Sufferin' Prius Envy, Jan 15, 2005
  4. Bob Allen

    Bob Allen Captainbaba

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    Welcome! You've come to the right place. I was lucky enough to find my car via this website. I was on two Seattle area dealer lists with not much action. After less than two months, someone on this chatline saw the very color and option package I wanted sitting on the parking dias at a dealer in Moses Lake, about three hours drive east of Seattle. The dealer sold the car to me over the phone at retail, and a week later, my partner and I and our son, drove over to get HUMU.
    We were just down in the Bay Area a few weeks ago (I grew up in Burlingame); and I was surprised at how few Prii I saw. I expected to see many more because of the California semi-liberal demographic that populates the Bay Area. You'll be a trend setter.
    The Salsa was my second choice and I think it's really stunning. Don't worry about the beige upholstery; it's bullet proof and pretty easy to clean with just soapy water.
    Have fun driving and reading about your new car. It's hands down the most remarkable car I've ever driven. I still can't believe I managed to buy one!
    Cheers,
    Bob
     
    #4 Bob Allen, Jan 15, 2005
  5. chasabel

    chasabel Junior Member

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    A VW Bug wasn't my first car, but my first VW Bug
    I purchased new in Flagstaff Arizona in April of 1956.
    I'm beginning to feel old in this group.
    Charlie
     
    #5 chasabel, Jan 15, 2005
  6. Robert Taylor

    Robert Taylor New Member

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    Political statement?

    Democrats support wholeheartedly the work output of the United Autoworkers and do not buy imported automobiles.

    And like most Republicans, I am an ardent capitalist and I buy whatever I want.

    As far as cult goes, that word was used to describe the Branch Davidians and the Heavens Gate "catch a ride comet" people.

    I like the Moderators greeting of "welcome to the group".

    As far as the Prius goes, it has restored the joy of driving for me, its handling properties are excellent, it can be cathedral quiet, and the operating costs are vastly lowered. Its a green car, and keeps more of that green in my wallet.

    One of the other Prius owners I know says she wishes hers was leather interior. My DOD employed neighbor just got the green color one.

    You will enjoy it.
     
    #6 Robert Taylor, Jan 15, 2005
  7. sfmark

    sfmark New Member

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    Bob raises an interesting question: Exactly where are the most Priuses being sold? I figured there were a lot in San Francisco because I see at least two every time I drive across town, but I haven't been traveling much and don't have a basis to compare.

    The dealer I purchased from claims to have sold more than any other dealer in the US, though I saw the same claim here about a Virginia dealer recently. (The SF dealer was certainly helped by a quantity purchase by the city of San Francisco recently.)

    Does anyone have real statistics on Prius sales/use by area or dealer?

    And BTW, I'm hugely impressed that Charlie bought a VW bug in 1956 and now a new Prius. I can only imagine what the 20-somethings who buy Priuses will be driving when they're Charlie's distinguished age.
     
    #7 sfmark, Jan 15, 2005
  8. sfmark

    sfmark New Member

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    Cult (among other definitions):
    - extreme admiration for a person, philosophy of life, or activity
    - a self-identified group of people who share a narrowly defined interest or perspective

    Sounds right to me. I understand that there are other meanings...no slight was intended.

    And regarding the political statement, I support the auto workers but I don't support automobile companies whose shortsighted policies risk the well-being, economic and otherwise, of their workers and the rest of us. (I own a Ford and I regret buying a car that gets 17 MPG.) I'm sure that most of us would be delighted to buy a Prius-quality car from Ford or GM. US auto workers' jobs will be far more secure when we can do so.

    Meanwhile, we can all enjoy supporting companies that innovate, whatever our reasons.
     
    #8 sfmark, Jan 15, 2005
  9. Charles Suitt

    Charles Suitt Senior Member

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    :( Dear Mr Taylor....

    You are getting VERY close to entering political statements. There ARE appropriate forums for such.... this is not one of them.
     
    #9 Charles Suitt, Jan 15, 2005
  10. Robert Taylor

    Robert Taylor New Member

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    ....I support the auto workers but I don't support automobile companies whose shortsighted policies risk the well-being, economic and otherwise, ...

    The head of General Motors has stated that hybrid cars have a tiny market to environmentalists only. GM's viewpoint is just totally wrong, hybrids are worthy to a vastly higher percentage of the market, but GM does not believe that.

    Instead, GM has chosen to advance a strategy for using hybrid technology at the very large vehicle level, buses and so forth. They do not percieve that consumers will be interested in cost saving techologies, but that fleet buyers will be. I do not believe that at all.

    Toyota is THE quality leader of automobile companies and domestic producers have lagged behind for many decades now.
     
    #10 Robert Taylor, Jan 15, 2005
  11. bookrats

    bookrats New Member

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    Glad to have you aboard! And the nicest think about the PriusChat Cult: We all drink the Kool-Aid! :mrgreen:
    I prefer grape.
     
    #11 bookrats, Jan 15, 2005
  12. bookrats

    bookrats New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sfmark\";p=\"63778)</div>
    I've assumed that the two biggest sales areas would be California and Virginia/Washington DC area -- the latter because of the HOV lane exemption for Prii.

    However, I don't know... Can't remember seeing county-wide statistics of where they were sold.

    During 2004, those figures might be somewhat misleading -- a lot of people went out-of-state to get their Prius.
     
    #12 bookrats, Jan 15, 2005
  13. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bookrats\";p=\"63840)</div>
    This Kool-Aid, however, is made with no animal by-products and contains mostly soy and seaweed. Honestly, it's really not that good, but it does help us stay in contact with our higher being, the supreme entity we call Terra Madre.

    (no animals were harmed in the typing of this response. Though I did have to squint a little)
     
    #13 TonyPSchaefer, Jan 16, 2005
  14. bookrats

    bookrats New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer\";p=\"63901)</div>
    ...but it does keep us "regular".
     
    #14 bookrats, Jan 16, 2005
  15. tag

    tag Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bookrats\";p=\"63840)</div>
    :lolup:


    I like Kool-Aid as well but find myself drinking Tab mostly. After all, you only have to press that key on your keyboard to order one.......very convenient.
     
    #15 tag, Jan 16, 2005
  16. Sufferin' Prius Envy

    Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member

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    I too prefer grape, but, being from Northern California, I have acquired a more sophisticated palate. Wine is the grape in its highest incarnation. I wonder if subconsciously that is why I bought a Prius in the color of a fine Merlot.

    (And I like cheese with my PriusChat . . . oops, I mean Merlot) :wink: :roll:
     
    #16 Sufferin' Prius Envy, Jan 17, 2005
  17. tag

    tag Senior Member

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    What this "cult" needs is more cowbell!
     
    #17 tag, Jan 17, 2005
  18. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    :lolup: :Wth:
     
    #18 TonyPSchaefer, Jan 17, 2005
  19. bookrats

    bookrats New Member

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    :lolup: :lolup:

    God, tag, that's... strangely fascinating.
     
    #19 bookrats, Jan 17, 2005
  20. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    Sometimes you all just make me wonder....

    Welcome to the group! :)
     
    #20 Danny, Jan 17, 2005
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