Evolution of PriusChat or New Phenomenon?

Seems like most of the PriusChat frontiersmen spent their time figuring out how the drivetrain works, with some esoteric efforts continuing today. I remember running across heated debates about whether or not MG2 could actually act as a generator, with the proponents called heretics.

Hopefully, some of the old timers will speak up before they "pass on" and the first hand knowledge is lost forever.

 

Gasp

 

By the time PriusChat was finally established, I was already into year #4 of Prius ownership and very heavy into the online contributions. Now I'm about to start year #7. So I've seen and done it all... several times over.

Do you really expect the veterans to take away the "congrats" opportunities to from those that just shook off the label of newbie?

How many times can the same old "congrats" be provided from the same old Prius owner before it no longer sounds sincere?

Can you point out any other still-in-production vehicle model that has been able to hold interest as strong as we've witnessed with Prius?

Prius is quite unique. So don't expect a pattern or cycle. We are formulating plans along the way, responding to the bizarre circumstances of the ever-changing automotive market. We are boldly going...

By the way, in less than 100 miles, I will be exceeding the magic distance I traveled with my Classic Prius before trading it in for my HSD model: 59,827 miles. So despite my very senior status, I'm still doing stuff for the very first time.

 

I think we lost Bill to a pretzel or something.

 

Yeah, somebody better go check on Bill............... :lol: :lol:

 

i think like any community, people find their own niche once they've gotten past the total-newbie status. the real new ones are still excited about their new car (or pending new car) and us older folks are far beyond the basics of learning the basics and getting optimal mpg... we're more into other things like the inner workings of things or tweaking things or very in-depth operating info. or in my husband's case, making broken prii work right again.

then there are the prius owners who almost exclusively like to hang out in FHOP and argue politics, etc.

there are all kinds around here.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Aug 27 2006, 05:37 AM) [snapback]310058[/snapback]</div>

Diesel cars. Check out tdiclub.com those guys are pretty hardcore.

 

Sorry to disappoint some...

I still like congratulating new owners. I still think my Silver Cloud is the smartest and best car I've ever owned. I remember the excitement and glee of discovery when I first got it, so I like to congratulate people making some of the same discoveries.

I have noticed a shift in Prius purchaser demographics. The early adopters were/are really interested in how the car works, and trying to improve it (and their fuel efficiency). Now that the Prius is more mainstream, it's being seen more as just a car by many owners, not an engineering marvel. I think the bulk of Prius purchasers who aren't on PriusChat are perhaps more interested in HOV-lane riding and maybe spending less on gasoline, not the low emissions that let them travel in the HOV lane or the PSD that can switch between ICE, electric motor, and generation seamlessly.

I organize the Portland Area Prius Meetup group. We have about 40 members, who, like PriusChatters, are interested in their cars. I talk to many Prius owners to tell them about the group, many, perhaps most, could care less. It's just a car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(HiBreedinVA @ Aug 27 2006, 02:32 PM) [snapback]310233[/snapback]</div>

That's a really good comparison example to this forum. Here, we embrace the SULEV and PZEV emission ratings. Their reaction borders on hostile. Increased cost and decreased efficiency for the sake of being cleaner is not an topic they like to address.

Prius delivers both great emissions & efficiency. Sweet!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Starfall @ Aug 27 2006, 05:32 PM) [snapback]310327[/snapback]</div>

My point, which I clearly didn't make, is that there won't be a mass influx. Active PriusChat members are self-selecting. Of the thousands of members who joined PriusChat, look how many you see posting again and again. It's easier to see them than the thousands who posted 0-few times. Who knows the number of Guest visits who never joined...

There are always a few trolls around trying to goad us, but they generally evaporate after a few weeks or months. On the other hand, there are also the few enthusiastic new owners who come here, learn as much as they need to, and disappear because they have a life outside PriusChat that consumes them more. Even a few of the moderators have sort of drifted away as their Prius became their daily driver and their interest in the Prius and PriusChat waned.

No living community is static, it will and must change. Unlike "real-world" communities, we are not bounded by space, just Danny's willingness to suffer us and keep the board running.

 

I think that a PC'er evolves, and each has their limit of what they want or need to know. A few want to share the glee of a new purchase. I still answer them when I can, but I would prefer to answer a question if I can. I also spend less time here than when I was a newbie and learning. I am now "just" in my second year of ownership. Still learning because the Prius is still a bit of a Puzzle. For me driving for mpg is fun, a way to concentrate, and also release tension on the way to and from work. So in the end each of us evolves. I learn here all the time and I hope I pass a little on. BTW if you have a new Prius "Congratulations" join in and do not be intimidated. Even John 1701a was a newbie, a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hdrygas @ Aug 27 2006, 08:56 PM) [snapback]310362[/snapback]</div>

Well... not really. By amazing cosmic coincidence the guy that placed an order right before me at the same dealer and had his Prius delivered the same day as mine just happened to be the very first person in the country to own two different hybrids, a Prius and an Insight! And when I placed my order, it was by saying "I want one of these" and holding up the Prius miniature I had (mailed from a friend overseas). So I was already part of the new age before the online presense was really established. My website was basically the very first owner website in the country. And I even contributed to the original use of the term "stealth" for Prius.

So... I think that means I've a bit envious of new owners. There was no preexisting excitement to leverage from with my order. I had to help create that. It must be incredible for a newbie now to research the history the veterans participated in. What a thrill to join.

That's ok. Being one of the founders must have some kind of a perk I can somehow utilize.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Aug 27 2006, 08:45 PM) [snapback]310331[/snapback]</div>

I was going to buy a TDI before stoping at the toyota dealership. I test drove the tdi the day before and it had some leak that was a deal breaker. I stood behing the exhaust pipe for some time while i was looking at the trunk, the car was running, then after I left my leg was all itchy i think it was all the carcinogens that were being emitted. Diesles while they might be more efficent are kinda dirty and i didnt like that. hehe I might give em a try once they start making diesel electric hybrids

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Starfall @ Aug 26 2006, 12:42 PM) [snapback]309792[/snapback]</div>

Why don't Prius driover acknowledge one another on the road? I had one guy roll down his window at a stop and ask me how I lived my Prius, we both still had dealer tags on our new Prius'. Other than that, not one other Prius driver has ever taken a glance in ny direction. Are they all looking at their MFDs or something?