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Car as a 'statement' article

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by bwilson4web, Oct 5, 2010.

  1. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    What Your Car May Be Saying About You - The Car Connection

    I'm not going to quote this fluff piece as we've seen the same sentiments expressed over and over again. Lazy journalism or opinion piece so this time I posted the reverse as a comment . . . perhaps people who drive a roofer's vehicle to their white-collar, office job should consider a career change.

    FYI, I also posted with attribution Christopher Hogan's formula:
    internal-volume x MPG ~= vehicle_utility​
    Also a reference to using www. fueleconomy. gov as a definitive source of user MPG and vehicle internal dimensions.

    Huuuuummmm, so Prius people tend have some positive attributes: technological leaders, Einsein-like drivers, relatively well off, and slow-safe drivers. It might be fun to let the 'attitude' and 'style' journalists and bloggers get some comments like:
    • "Well I couldn't get into college until my parents bought me a Prius. Now I'm in college with a scholarship."
    • "I was flipping burgers at McDonalds but after buying a Prius, now I own the store."
    • "I told the Judge I sold the <author's favorite ride> that got the speeding ticket and now drive a Prius. Driving school and no points!"
    The best way to puncture a lying marketing claim is to take it to its logical conclusion . . . and have some fun. <grins>

    If a marketing *sshole make some inflated claim, it is a two-edged sword. You know paper cuts both ways. <grins>

    Bob Wilson
     
    #1 bwilson4web, Oct 5, 2010
  2. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    This woman's statement is nearly garbage about the Prius ....

    "... We choose ]hybrids[/ like the Honda Civic Hybrid and electrics like the Toyota Prius to make a statement – a very visible one – to others that we not only care about the environment and our contribution to it, but we’re putting our money where our mouth is. That’s a good thing. But we can make the same statement by buying super fuel-efficient (nearly as good as hybrids, sometimes better) and powerful turbocharged four-cylinder cars – if we so desire."

    A buyers requirements -

    4 doors with hatchback (for greater hauling capacity)
    Good seating for 4 to 5 adults
    true average fuel economy 30 MPG or more
    starting price under $25k

    Contenders (according to my revew of Consumer Reports listing of 2011 new cars) -
    Mini Cooper clubman (30 mpg average)
    VW TDI Golf
    VW TDI Sportwagen
    Toyota Prius

    I don't know of any other contenders for those requirements. No sedans (trunked vehicles) allowed, please.

    I'd roll with the Prius due to VW's suspect reliability and the clubman's small interior room.
     
    #2 cycledrum, Oct 5, 2010
  3. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    It is worse. My comment was 'removed' although referenced by the author. No need to go back.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #3 bwilson4web, Oct 5, 2010
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