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Top 5-10 Reasons why you Bought a Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Yonessyo, Oct 6, 2009.

  1. Yonessyo

    Yonessyo New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2009
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    Location:
    Seattle
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    When choosing which car to buy, we all had reasons for our purchase. Back in July, 2009, these were my top reasons.

    The main push that got me to buy a new car was Cash for Clunkers (I had a 1989 Toyota Pickup, with over 260k miles that was slowllllyy breaking down). <3 Toyotas. I had to take the opportunity. So this was my reason to buy a new car, but the reason why I choose the Prius instead of everything else was a different matter. These were mine.

    1) Like most folks, the mileage. I was looking for something that didn't cost me an arm and a leg to get from point A to point B. I also expect gas prices to fluctuate in the next 5 years, but with the trend going well over $3/gallon.
    2) It must have a wagon/hatchback. I have two corgis (dogs), and my wife and I go out on many road trips. We needed a car that could hold all of us comfortable through these ventures.
    3) Spacious - For my wife, 2 dogs, and in a year or two, kid.
    4) Reliable/Low Mainteance
    5) Value

    Those were my reasons. My first choice after hearing about cash for clunkers was to get an Outback. Thinking of my dogs first, it fit what I needed - spacious, wagon, 4WD, etc. Then I noticed the Prius was a hatcback, so I compared price/mileage/reliability, and it was a no brainer. The price was the same, the mileage were polar opposites, and the Prius won on reliability. Yes, I was sacrificing the 4WD capability, but there were soo many more pluses to instead of negatives.

    I drove 180 miles south to Portland, Oregon (my birthplace, and birthplace of my truck), on July 28th 2009, three days after I made the decision to get a new car, forfeited over 20 years of memories in exchange for future memories in the form of a Winter Grey, 2010 Prius IV. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

    When you bought your car, what were your options, and why did you make the choice to buy (or not buy) a Prius?
     
  2. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
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    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    1. Wife's 2001 Echo was getting 'long in the tooth'
    2. Good deal (not great but good enough)
    3. Already have 2003 Prius and very happy with it
    4. Awesome new technology built-in to ZVW30
    5. Beat the dollar devaluation
    6. Knew we could afford it
    Bob Wilson
     
  3. radiocycle

    radiocycle Active Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2007
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    Location:
    Vallejo, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    My Mercedes diesel wagon has 316K and the leather is starting to crack. We needed a reliable, comfortable ride. I've had only one other new car in my life and being retired I thought it was time again. We wanted something that would do the least amount of polluting. We wanted to help advance the state of the art and so we were trying to hold out for a PHEV. Alas, we couldn't wait any longer and when the Gen III came out we went for it; and very glad we did... what a great automobile!
     
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
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    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    In no particular order

    1) FE
    2) Technology
    3) Emissions
    4) Space
    5) Brand (family has a Prius. Want one of my own)
    6) Driving experience
    7) Maintenance cost
    8) Reliability
    9) Cool factor (EV, onboard technology)
    10) Much improved over the previous version.
     
  5. Indyking

    Indyking Happy Hyundai owner...

    Joined:
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    Location:
    I don't know... Indy, Chicago, Madison (WI)... it
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    1- Save $$$. Exactly! I drive 1K per week in my Prius. In 3 years, it will not only pay the extra cash I spent to buy it after my trade-in but will also save me about $1K in gas assuming a gas price average of $2.80 (very generous) over the next 3 years. Keep in mind that if you have a short commute, chances are you will not save any money at all by replacing your previous car to the new Prius (to "break even" was not a consideration by many folks but it was for me!).

    2- Cargo room.

    3- Decent power for a hybrid.

    4- Being a Honda guy for years I figured Toyota would offer the same or better level of reliability and value.

    5- Green attitude.

    6- Prius chat folks convinced me it was a good idea to buy it after several overtly enthusiastic, yet educative debates :D:D:D
     
    5 people like this.
  6. nparker13

    nparker13 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2009
    121
    13
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    Location:
    CT
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    1 Radar Cruise
    2 Price
    3 FE
    4 Reliability
    5 Other tech (LKA, IPA, etc)
     
  7. Dondoh

    Dondoh Aleatory Specialist

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2009
    96
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    Location:
    rural hall, nc
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    1. It was the nicest car we could reasonably afford. Our original price range was way below the cost of the prius, but if you consider fuel savings over the life of the car, we felt that the prius allowed us to have all sorts of great things that weren't available in other cars because of the fuel savings long term.

    2. It has enough room for cargo and dogs and a decent back seat to comfortably accommodate my elderly parents. It has comfortable and flexible space.

    3. Reliability (great historical reliability, no belts, brakes last forever, etc.)

    4. Safety (good crash scores, abs, traction control, brake assist, lots of airbags)

    5. As someone here has as their signature, "The prius is the least obsolete car we could buy for under $100,000." Buying the prius had an insurance-like quality to it. If gas goes sky high, we will at least have a fairly efficient means of tranportation. If gas stays artificially low, we still save plenty to make up for any added cost initially.
     
  8. eddiehaskell

    eddiehaskell Member

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2007
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    Location:
    Charlotte NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    1) cash for clunkers (clunker was worth $2k - gov gave me $4500)
    2) low cost of ownership
    3) cool yet sorta proven technology
    4) not as common or boring as some other midsize cars (Accord/Camry, etc)
    5) insurance against rising gas prices (this could fall in under #1)
     
    1 person likes this.
  9. MPGen3

    MPGen3 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2009
    23
    4
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    Location:
    Jacksonville, FL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    1) FE
    2) New stronger/lower-maintenance beltless engine
    3) Easier to park than a Cummins Diesel Dodge Ram (my trade-in)
    4) Toyota Reliability (fingers crossed)
    5) Fear of the unknown (refer to reason 1)
     
  10. lamontcranston

    lamontcranston Umbra Tenet

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2009
    212
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    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I considered other cars that fit into the same total cost of ownership range, like Yaris, Smart, Insight, etc. What drove me to the Prius:

    1) Total cost of ownership (purchase price + maintenance price + fuel price)
    2) Previous positive experiences with the Prius from friends
    3) Larger size compared to other cars with the same total cost of ownership
    4) Previous positive experience with Toyota in general
    5) Wanted to feel good about my carbon footprint

    ...that's about it. Fuel economy was a consideration of course but only as part of the big picture. If I had known the fuel economy would be this good, I might have gone with a III or IV, as I am now actually saving money compared to buying a smaller car.
     
    1 person likes this.
  11. bamazon

    bamazon New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2009
    8
    1
    0
    Location:
    Alabama
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    1. My commute is 160 miles everyday. My Prius payment is less than $100 more than I spend in gas for my GM car.
    2. I recently spent $1800 repairing the head gasket on my GM car with 75000 miles.
    3. I'm a cool nerd and my car should reflect that...
    4. I need a sunroof because I spend so much time driving that I feel like I'm in a tomb when I drive my GM car
    5. Because I'm sexy.
     
    1 person likes this.
  12. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
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    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    1) Wife said it needed to be a four door (for kids)
    2) Wife said it needed to be fuel efficient
    3) Wife said it needed to be reliable
    4) Husband decided the 2010 Prius was cool enough for him
    5) Husband wanted the 17" wheels and splurged on a V with Advanced Technology Package
     
    2 people like this.
  13. yadax3

    yadax3 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2009
    237
    22
    15
    Location:
    Northern Nevada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    2010 Prius

    1. Because I love my 2007 Prius so much.

    2007 Prius

    1. Comfort and styling (i.e. attitude) as compared to its competitors
    2. Fuel economy
    3. Environmental considerations
    4. Toyota's reputation for quality
    5. Uniqueness
     
  14. Habiru

    Habiru Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2009
    44
    15
    0
    Location:
    Green Bay
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    I only have 3.

    1. fuel efficiency
    2. resale value
    3. the car impressed me in the test drive

    I was holding out for the Honda Insight. I had been reading info on the production of the Insight weekly for 2 years. I test drove it & was not impressed. So then I thought ok I'll start looking into this 2010 Prius. Read about it & was lucky enough to find a dealer that had one to test drive the week it was released. I drove it & was really impressed. I placed my order after the drive.
    I had driven a second gen in the past but didn't like the breaks or the feel of the steering so I never considered that model. I loved the civic hybrid's interior but wasn't going to pay more $$ for a car that didn't get the best gas milage ... I mean that was the #1 reason I bought the 2010 Prius!
     
  15. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2009
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    Location:
    Alaska
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    1. It was time to think about buying a new car. I figured if we were going to do that, it was going to be one with the best darn FE out there that could fit the four of us comfortably (read no compact). I was originally thinking another Camry, but after starting the research the Prius better fit the needs and wants. Asked the neighbors about their 09... very happy. Test drove the 10 and was instantly hooked. Found PC just a few days before buying and that sealed the deal.
    2. Size overall.
    3. Advanced.
    4. Perhaps the footprint thing.
    5. The darn deal just went so smooth I would have to believe there was divine intervention.:pray2:
     
    1 person likes this.
  16. a priori

    a priori Canonus Curiosus

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2007
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    Location:
    Chicagoland (West)
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    (Inspired by yadax3 above)

    Reasons for buying the 2007:
    1. Great FE
    2. Cool techno-gadgetry
    3. I'm geeky enough to really like the styling (interior & exterior)
    4. Toyota reliability and safety features
    5. All of it for a great price -- what else could I buy in the price range that had the advanced technology?
    Reasons for buying the 2010:
    1. See the "Reasons for buying the 2007" above (My 2007 was better than I imagined it would be)
    2. The 2010 was bigger, more powerful, had more gadgets and got better FE
    3. Did I mention the cool gadgets? (got the AT Package)
    4. Improved safety (especially with the AT Package)
    5. The exterior look is significantly better than the 2007; the interior I'm getting accustomed to
    6. Toyota made me an offer I couldn't refuse
     
  17. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
    789
    133
    93
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    1. I lost my car in an accident. The IS250 was t-boned by a, irorny of all ironies, Toyota Landcruiser, so my insurance co. declared it a total loss.
    2. Wife said we needed the space. Thought about a replacement IS but the backseat is non-existent in that car.
    3. Fuel efficiency. I'm averaging about 1.5 visits to gas stations per month.
    4. Technology. Available features were more impressive than the Honda Insight or Civic Hybrid... Leather, navigation, sunroof, solar panels, EV and PWR modes, the HSD!
    5. Quality and reliability.
    6. It runs in the family... wife has a Gen II Prius that she loves.
    7. Impressive ride and handling in comparison to previous generation Prius and other Toyotas in general.
    8. Those catchy commercials... well, maybe for a small bit.
     
  18. wvgasguy

    wvgasguy New Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2009
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    Location:
    a
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    1) Toyota reliability
    2) FE
    3) styling of 2010V
    4) fits my long range financial plan for retirement
    5) it made me smile when I saw it.
     
  19. leeb18c

    leeb18c Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2009
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    202
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    Location:
    SF Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Just got my Pkg 2 Silver/Dark Gray last Monday.

    1. To replace my 15yr old Integra with 300k miles.
    2. FE, I don't even bother to look at the Insight.
    3. Reliability.
    4. Wrap around dash.

    I'm so excited I can't think of anything else. :)
     
  20. nooaah

    nooaah New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2008
    380
    5
    0
    Location:
    Philadelphia
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    1. Sending my money to Japan instead of Exxon/Saudi Arabia/Venezuela.
    2. Future-proof: Retains its blue book value better than just about any other car out there.
    3. Mileage: My company, at the time, was paying 60 cents per mile driven.
    4. Mileage: I'm doing my part with keeping the garbage out of the air.
    5. Technology: It's just a cool car if you like gadgets.
    6. Toyota quality should be in the top 3. Oops!