Proof that Pruis' have become mainstream

"Mainstream" or not, I purchased the G3, IV, based on a very positive past experience with Toyota quality; and a belief that gasoline will again increase in cost. Climate change issues were not a factor.

With 8500 miles on the odometer, I have been delighted to find that my pre-purchase evaluation was "right-on." I find the car comfortable, attractive, economical, no rattles, the size is perfect for two, and performance is well within my expectations. I have absolute confidence in my ability (comfort and safety) to drive cross-country coast to coast (which I will do iin May).

The Prius is my only automobile .... meaning that I use it daily for every driving need. I have no interest in an EV with their limited range. I am perfectly satisfied that I can put a reasonable quantity of gas in the tank and drive 400-500 miles and give no thought to fuel for 8 hours. I delight in not having to look for sources of hydrogen, or natural gas, or motels with electrical charging stations.

My one interest the Prius cannot accommodate is pulling my RV. But I have a turbo-diesel PU (used sparingly) for that purpose.

 

It is not uncommon to have several Prii in any parking lot in our area. Some areas of course are not as Prius saturated but it really has lost its' place as a niche car. There are retired folks, families, singles and young people driving these cars. As Toyota expands on the Prius line hybrids will become more mainstream than even now.

 

And...

This is a good... no a GREAT thing. The Prius has forged a path that EV's are now going to be able to follow into the market place. Just think, for every Prius you see on the road now, that's one more guzzler NOT there and that makes it that much more attainable for the next one to be even more green.

It's like a bridge that non-native-green-thinkers can walk across to leave the dark side and come to the light.

^^

 

Icarus - Thank you for your reassurance re long trips. I agree .... with 8500 miles thus far, I drive my G3 like any other car. Personally, I am not sure why others make excuses for it's performance. Mine has the ability to go faster than I care to drive; it accelerates up the steepest of mountains, and certainly stays with the traffic flow ... all at significantly lower cas consumption, while maintaining creature comfort. What else could I ask?

A year ago we moved from a large home in the East into a townhome (in Utah). The energy savings has been enormous ... and we are ever-bit as comfortable. Add the Prius, and I am sure that I can match, or come close to your 50% savings. Not only are we driving significantly fewer files, we have improved our mileage from 23 mpg to over 50 mpg (Summer). Even the Winter 45 mpg is much improved (we were unable to maintain 23 mpg in the Winter in teh East.

In the East, we burned 1000 gallons of fuel oil/Winter to maintain the house at 67 degrees. The townhome is so much warmer, and the natural gas is far superior to fuel oil.

 

I'll say this anyway, even though I hate car/computer analogies.

The Prius is the iPhone of cars. Remember how all the phones sucked before the iPhone came out?

Remember how all the cars sucked before the Prius came out?

 

No, actually, I don't. I loved the old Palm Treos. I also loved the Nissan 240SX. I also loved the FC and FD RX-7. I can keep naming things, but I think too many people are a little hung-up on their consumption habits.

 

.... maybe not as mainstream as previous posters have described ...

I work and do much daily travel & shopping in a blue collar community. If the visiblity of relatively new cars is an indicator, then I'd estimate that the population is fairly economically successful, considering the times.

Of these relatively new cars (presumably purchased both new & 2nd-hand), there are many expensive marques, SUV's & "luxury-pickups." But few Prii.

When I travel to white collar communities, I'm startled to see my Prius brethren in significant numbers -- to the point of wanting to ask where they've all been?!

And so, I'd add a "class divide" to the mix. I'm not calling it an "economic divide," b/c the blue-collar-favored cars actually are generally more expensive than the Prius.

If I've pressed some buttons here, I'm prepared to duck the hurled tomatoes.

 

I remember something about a correlation related to education level. I wonder if that is a factor that effects auto choice.

 

Well, duh.