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Why did you buy your first Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Midpack, Jul 4, 2009.

?
  1. Fuel economy

    93 vote(s)
    89.4%
  2. Lower emissions / GHG

    42 vote(s)
    40.4%
  3. General eco/green credibility

    27 vote(s)
    26.0%
  4. Toyota reliability or brand loyalty

    64 vote(s)
    61.5%
  5. Being first with new (hybrid) technology

    13 vote(s)
    12.5%
  6. Political statement

    11 vote(s)
    10.6%
  7. Popular where I live

    1 vote(s)
    1.0%
  8. Right size/price/utility

    54 vote(s)
    51.9%
  9. Other

    13 vote(s)
    12.5%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. Midpack

    Midpack Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2009
    461
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    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Whether your first was a Gen 1, Gen 2 and/or Gen 3.

    I tried to search but did not find this question.

    This is intended as a legimate question, I truly hope there are no judgements or debates that result from anyone's answers.

    NOTE: You can choose one or as many reasons as you like.
     
  2. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2009
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    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    1. my 04 chevy impala had needed a thousand dollars of work, it has had over ten thousand of work done over the first 60,000 miles. I have no money to fix things so i wanted a warranty.
    2. I see all over, like consumers reports that the prius is one of if not the most reliable car made over the last ten years.
    3. I drive alot for work, and was worried what i would do if gas hit 4 or 5 dollars a gallon, i wouldn't be able to afford it.
    4. I'm 30 year old male that works in construction and i found the prius cool, and know i will save around ten thousand over the life time of the car on fuel, and the 10 year warranty.

    Edit lol i didn't notice the poll on the top the first time.
     
  3. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
    Staff Member

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    Bought the Gen I as my 1999 Ford Contour SVT - while a fast and fun ride, averaged 17mpg w/ my lead foot and was designed for Premium. Gas prices were on the rise and I loved the geek tech (not a choice in the poll) of the Prius. The 2001 lacked the options I wanted (only option was port/dealer added cruise control), so I waited for the release of the 2002 Prius before ordering online. The 2002 had all options except NAV.

    At the time it was a particularly rare car and owning one was truly an exclusive experience. Same applied w/ the SVT version of the Contour which had hand assembled engines, etc.
     
  4. nwprius

    nwprius Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2004
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    Location:
    Lacey, Washington
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Bought it as a TECH Toy. You need another category to cover the TECH Toy interest.
     
  5. rcf@eventide.com

    Joined:
    May 18, 2006
    173
    85
    0
    Location:
    Sedona
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base

    Definitely agree with NWPRIUS. I started thinking about it when I got a ridiculously high quote for a home generator and realized that the Prius would also provide economical transportation in addition to power.

    Richard
     
  6. Heretic

    Heretic New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2009
    14
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    Location:
    Earth
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Fuel economy. Saw my first Prius at an at an online get-together years ago... At a gathering for an enviro-friendly website/forum I belonged to at the time. One of the attendees drove from DC on damn near one tank of gas, right around the time when gas prices started to jump.
     
  7. Midpack

    Midpack Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2009
    461
    43
    0
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Sorry, that was the intent of the 5th option.
     
  8. PriusRos

    PriusRos A Fairly Senior Member - 2016 Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
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    Location:
    Rockville, MD
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I checked fuel economy, low emissions, green cred, and right size/price/utility -- but I would have also checked technology if that had been a choice.

    I hadn't really thought much about getting a hybrid before I placed an order for my 2006 Prius. My daughter, who had gotten rid of her car (a Mercedes C-class -- terrible car) when she moved to New York City, was leaving NYC and needed a car again. She didn't want to spend much money so asked me if I was considering getting a new car so she could buy mine, which was a '96 Infiniti I-30. So I started to do some research on new cars and saw that the Prius was highly rated by Consumer Reports and loved by their owners. I went and test drove one and was very impressed by all the technical gadgets as well as the roominess. It seemed so much fun! At that time, some dealers were quoting months long waiting lists. I placed an order for one and it actually came in fairly quickly -- but I found out that the dealer had charged me $200 extra (for no reason) than what I should have been charged. They would not give me back the $200 and while were were haggling back and forth over the phone they sold it to someone else!

    It took several more visits to find another dealer with a good price and that could get me a car in the model and color that I wanted fairly quickly, but I was happy with the one I ended up with -- and it didn't take very long at all.
     
  9. dbacksfan

    dbacksfan Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2009
    258
    22
    0
    Location:
    Scottsdale, Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    I thought buying the Prius was a responsible choice at many levels, both personal and social. Now, I just plain enjoy driving it and getting great FE to boot.
     
  10. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
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    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    Prime Plus


    I had to skip "Being first ..." because in 2001 we rented a Prius for a couple of days. Being first would have meant buying the 2001 Prius instead of the Echo. But I was interested in the technology and throughly looked at the two options:

    • Honda IMA
    • Toyota Synergy Drive
    Eventually it came down to:

    • ratio of electric to gas power - the Prius had a higher ratio
    • City mileage - the Prius had higher City mileage
    Once I got my 03 Prius, my first fill-up was 39 MPG and I briefly thought, "Did I make a big mistake?" Then I realized that if a civil servant can get 45 MPG on the highway, I can too, and my education began.

    Bob Wilson
     
  11. fred garvin

    fred garvin New Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2009
    376
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    Location:
    northern virginia
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    northern va HOV and being on 66 inside the beltway - i commute 35 miles ieach way into arlington/ballston - saves me 25 mins each way - only reason was the hov driven by a then-new job

    i did not choose "other" because hov should be its own reason
     
  12. Yeahoo Whoyah

    Yeahoo Whoyah Duct Tape Advocate

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2009
    20
    5
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    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I sold my F-150 because I didn't need a truck anymore, motorcycles are more reliable than they used to be. Sometimes I need 4-wheels. So I found a well maintained used '06 Prius from the first owner. The Prius MPG is as good (or better) than my motorcycles, can also travel in the CA HOV (car pool) lanes like a motorcycle, and has the advantage of A/C for hot summer days AND when it rains I don't have to worry about getting wet. :)
     
  13. Crazyhorse6901

    Crazyhorse6901 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2009
    114
    9
    10
    Location:
    Hampton,VA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV

    I sold my :cool:2007 Honda Ridgeline on 6-26-09 and ordered my Prius IV on 6-27-09, the truck drove like a car however it was too big for just me and my wife so I decided to buy a Hybrid due to these factors - Fuel economy, low emissions,green credibility and Toyota happens to be a very reliable piece of machinery and there Hybrid technology is by far superior.:peace:
     
  14. wave_slider

    wave_slider New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2009
    201
    26
    0
    Location:
    the aloha state
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I was interested in the Prius since 2004 when I began working for Toyota. It was, and still is the most satisfied car owner according to Consumer Reports. I drove the Gen II a lot at work, but just couldn't take the plunge even though it fit my needs. The Gen III arrived, and after a 5 hour training class, I headed back to work and ordered my model III with Nav.

    I calculated at $3/gal. I will save at least $120/month on gas. Also, I can fit my 9ft. longboard and my 5'8" fishy in the vehicle and make my choice of board after checking the waves. I'm off to watch fireworks. Have a great 4th of July!!!
     
  15. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2004
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    Location:
    Park View, Los Angeles, CA. U.S.A
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    i purchased my Gen II because my 87 Lincoln LSC was dangerous. it was falling apart in many way. I wanted a new car that would last 300k plus miles with all "MY abuse" applied to it. it had to be safe with air bags, curtains, and traction controls. it had to have seperate lights in the rear for turn, stop , and blinker. ( i hate seeing people confused over a blinking red light being a brake light and not a turn signal. ) it had to seat 5 because someday i hope to have a family.. and really hope i still have this reliable safe car around. ( and paid off.. just 14 more months)

    so forth.. so on.. i can go on with all kinds of reasons.. gas mileage.. clean emissions... etc.
     
  16. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2004
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    Location:
    Park View, Los Angeles, CA. U.S.A
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    oh.. btw.. i forgot to mention interior room. i can fit lumber into my car. 10ft pieces of pvc too ( i have the dash scrapes to prove it.. haha)

    i run a major part of my construction company out of my car. sometimes that includes extensive use of the inverter.
     
  17. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2007
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    Location:
    Adelaide South Australia
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I ticked the most popular 3 options, economy, space, and reliability of Toyota.
    My last car was a Camry Wagon and I didn't replace it sooner because I couldn't think of a similar size Toyota. I didn't even consider the Prius.
    One day I was about to bite the bullet and downsize to a new Corolla, then I saw a Prius. I loved the small steering wheel, the space inside, the "almost a wagon" utility of the hatch back and that legendary fuel economy was a bonus!

    I have used that huge space in the back of my Prius for: -
    Carrying building materials for my home and my mums.
    Sleeping space when traveling alone on the cheap and with limited time.
    Carrying my new 46 inch flat screen TV home. The loader at the shop laughed, until he saw it slide right in there.
    Recycling to the recyclers.
    A 2 week holiday with my family with luggage. Everything under the blind.

    I love this car!
     
  18. NYPrius1

    NYPrius1 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2007
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    Location:
    Middletown, NY
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    I purchased My First Prius Because I no Longer Wanted To Fund Terrorism!:eek:

    I also Get A Kick Out Of The SUV's With The " We Support The Troops" Signs?? :sick:

    How?? By Sending More Money To Help Fund Terror?? :confused:
     
  19. Midpack

    Midpack Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2009
    461
    43
    0
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    This has been interesting to me. In retrospect I am sorry for:
    • not phrasing the technology option well (5th option)
    • not including HOV lanes as an option (I've never lived anywhere that had them so it did not occur to me)
     
  20. IraS

    IraS Member

    Joined:
    May 15, 2009
    165
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    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    In 2002, a friend showed me his new Prius. I was attracted to the digital gauges and, after investigation, the hybrid technology. The only problem was that the Gen I Prius was a sedan, and I needed a hatchback. (I carry many boxes of trains and accessories to Model Railroad shows where my train club sets up our layout.)

    Two years later, he told me Toyota had announced the next version of the Prius and that it was a hatchback. When it showed up at our local dealer, I went for a test drive. I fell in love with the car. The next day, I took my wife to the dealer and I drove it again. She also loved the car. We ordered one on the spot. Six months later I was the proud owner of a 2004 Prius.