Who are you? and why did you choose prius?

Hi Studyingprius,
I am 16 years old.
My current Occupation: School
Interests: Flying, Biology and Engerneering.
Why I choose It: I chose the Prius because I really like the technology that went into it and how it is so clean burning and such. But there is something I can't figure out that just drove me to getting my Prius. I am VERY happy that it is there, but I just don't know what it is.
Brian Kane

 

One thing we did not answer is specifically "why" in the other post.
For me it was kind of complicated. I needed a car. My three requirements were 4 doors, nav and japanese. I had chosen an orange Mazda 3, but found out that the orange does not come with nav on the east coast and it would be very expensive to ship. I wasn't really feeling the other colors, so on a whim my fiance asked if I wanted to look at he prius. I had already considered the other toyotas and had not been impressed. I did a little research into the prius and fell in love, not realizing it was back ordered till 2020!

Just two more days of waiting!

 

I had been driving a 1989 Honda Civic station wagon for 15 years. I wanted the new safety features that have come along since then (air bags, ABS) but did not want to give up the wagon body style, which is no longer available on the Civic, nor did I want an American-brand car, as the U.S. manufacturers are greedy SOBs who maximize profits, minimize quality, and will sell you a time-bomb that's going to kill you (e.g. the Ford Pinto) if it would cost more to recall than to settle the lawsuits.

Then I read about the 2004 Prius. I was impressed by the reviews, intrigued by the technology, and seduced by the (false) promise of 60 mpg in the city. And it is a Toyota, so can be expected to be extremely reliable. So I test-drove it and found it to be considerably more comfortable than my Civic, and I was sold. I remain satisfied with the car even though I am disappointed by the mileage.

 

Last year I test drove the 2003 Prius, liked it but it felt too small for me. In addition, I wasn't driving much, so didn't have any need for a new car (or shall I say justification for one).

My husband and I bought a used car with 120K miles on it for me to go around town the few times I needed to. Now, two days a week my husband and I commute together - and were toying with the thought of trading my used car in.

In January, we thought we'd have a little fun and go test driving - without any intention of placing an order.

Reasons why we got one? The car is bigger than the 03, my mom's 04 gets about 49 mpg (I'm looking to beat that), and I love the technology!!! This car isn't just about the gas mileage.

Jen

 

Why? 'Cause it's cool! I chose the Prius in particular because it's fun, as compared to the Honda Civic Hybrid, and waaaay more roomy that I was expecting, as compared to the classic Prius and Honda Insight. I chose it because it was the second generation - I bought a Saturn the first year they were made and learned it's always best to wait a few years for a new make or model to work the kinks out. I think it looks fun, and I think it gets noticed, and as someone who's been in the theatre for a long time, heaven knows I like to get noticed. When test driving, it was fun, and I love my fiance's panicked "something just went wrong" reaction when the engine cuts off at a stop.

If it helps you any, I've seen very little advertising for the Prius, but apparently there were some commercials for it on channels like Discovery Science, and there was a back-cover ad for it on my Organic Style magazine this month - so they're definitely targeting the geek-and-hippie market. Fine by me!

 

My husband and I had been thinking about reducing our carbon dioxide emissions, but hadn't really done anything about it.

Then our current car started showing signs of age. We decided to buy a hybrid car to replace it. The Prius was the option that best suited our needs, as the Insight has only two seats and the Civic Hybrid's battery has an inconvenient location.

 

I have an 18-year old Honda Civic hatchback, and it's about time to get a new car .

I've been really interested in hybrids since they came out, but didn't like the earlier Prius for its looks, and didn't like the Insight for it's 2-seat-only-with-no-storage-for-anything-but-a-sixpack.

Initially, I had my eye on the Honda Civic Hybrid -- have a lot of faith in Honda, and I liked that the Civic Hybrid had the same controls, etc. as a Civic.

However, when the '04 Prius came out, two (no... make that four...)things really appealed to me:

• It was a hatchback
• After a little reading, the hybrid system for the Prius is much better than the one for the Civic. The Civic is a "mild" hybrid, and just adds electrical power to the ICE. The new Prius is a "smart engine", which can use the electric motor, the ICE, or both. I.e., the geek factor is great.
• The incredibly low emissions
• The gadgets!!! Love the SE/SS, the on/off button, the display screen.
  • new car looks advanced. "Oooohhh!! Cupholders!"
    
    So, that's why I'm waiting patiently for an '04 Prius.

 

Do you mean Prius-related websites? THe only other one I can think of is John1701a's site.

 

I'm an electrical engineer, age 59 and I didn't want a Prius. I wanted to get an EV1.

So because of GM and also because in MA diesels are no longer available (I'm on my 3rd currently.) The hybrids seemed like the only choice. My current diesel gets 42-44 mpg and I wanted to go forward at least a bit for my next car, not backwards.

Once I found the Prius, the choice was obvious due to the following additional reasons:

1 I needed either a hatch back or station wagon for cargo.
2 I hate every auto transmission I've ever owned, due to the jerky shifting and always at the wrong time. I have therefore mostly bought manual shift cars, but after an injury and having to drive with one arm for about 6 months, I decided my future cars better be automatics. The Prius solves the problem without the negatives!
3 The car is a political statement for the environment, and a message to Detroiit.
4 The car can maybe be converted to electric only for local commuting. Being able to plug it in is absolutely critical next time we have gas lines!
5 The keyless system was custom made for me. It is a feature I always wanted cars to have since the first time I broke a key off in the lock!
6 The electric AC with variable output is a big feature to me.
7 I like the distinctive looks of the car, so I can find it in a parking lot full of look-alike cars.
8 As a pilot the aerodynamics were important to me.
9 The roominess on the inside. It is like a Tardis.
10 The Toyota reputation for reliability.

 

Okay, check out the other topic for basic information. As for why:

My current car (Peugeot 206 1.9D) is nearing 200k on the odometer. Currently it's at 185000 km. The 206 is a rather small car (3.8 meters long) and is not really suited for long distances. But cars being expensive in the Netherlands it was the only thing I could buy four years ago.

I have been looking for another (not necessarily new) car since December 2003. I had set a budget, thought about the size of the car, engine etc etc. Then I started looking around and found out that the only reliable car to buy would be a Toyota Avensis. Of course there are other great cars out there, but I needed a car that had as little trouble as possible. It also needed to be a diesel car, because diesel is much cheaper than gas.

Then me and GF saw the Prius at the Toyota dealer. Being a 'semi-nerd' I immediately liked the car, the sleek dashboard and nice design were eye catchers for me.

After driving it a during a test drive (and having read the brochures and internet sites) I started calculating. The car was waaay over budget and ran on gas as well. But eventually my GF and I decided it was worth the extra money.

In short our reasons to buy the car are (in no particular order):
* mileage
* looks (exterior as well as interior)
* geek factor
* environmental friendly (well... less unfriendly maybe )
* almost as big as an avensis
* Toyota (normally a car maker of reliable cars)
* real special/exclusive vehicle (only 1000 available each year in the Netherlands)
* a feeling I cannot describe: I just like this car (it's so much different from the car I like best of all, but is really to expensive for me to 'operate': Land Rover Defender 110 Td5... sorry! )

Points against it:
* price
* the plastic on the doors feels a bit flimsy
* the rear doors made a bit of a 'cheap' sound when closed

 

I posted the other info in the other thread, so as to the why:

I'm currently working on selling my 2000 Neon. My plan was to have the 2000 for 5 years after buying it new, and then getting a new car at that time. In early 2003, the Honda Civic Hybrid piqued my interest - great gas mileage, environmentally friendly, and most importantly, sticking it to the oil companies in a matter of speaking.

I test drove one, and I loved it. I looked into trading in my Neon, but couldn't work anything out on it. I figured it just wasn't time again, and I'd look in another year. But then, last year in early summer, I got word of the 2004 Prius, and I fell in love. Every aspect about it was radically different than most cars, and it was promising efficency greater than all the cars out there at the time (minus the insight). I knew I still couldn't afford it then, so I worked on getting finances more organized, and by January of this year is when I was finally able to put down my first deposit. I had the car by the end of Feb., and have loved every second of it. I never was a car person until the Prius came along.

-m.

 

I am buying a new Prius for the following reasons Major reason in order:

1. (Time for a new car) My 4Runner has 186,000 miles, and it's time to retire it.

2. Cool Toys, Nav, Bluetooth, SE/SS

3. Wanted another Toyota. Looked at Highlander, and Matrix, and Prius

4. At bare minimum, needed a hatch. (I carry a lot of stuff)

Minor Reason,

5. better gas mileage

 

Why a Prius?

I needed to replace a 1995 Ford Escort, as I was passing 200,000 miles (I crossed that milestone while waiting for the Prius.)

I wanted a car with high mpg (above 40) and low emissions.

I wanted a car slightly larger than the Ford, and more comfortable.

I wanted to make a statement (I teach in the area of environmental and occupational health), and I wanted to practice what I preach, or so to speak.

Before the 2004 came out, I preferred the Honda Civic Hybrid, but not enthusiastically, due to its size and 'mild hybrid'.

Once the 2004 came out, I was sold. Ordered 11/2/2003 and picked up the car 4/2/2004.

I am happy with the car - this is the first car that I 'wanted' to buy, for more than basic transportation.

 

Why a Prius?

I have a long commute.
I live in California where gas prices are high.
Its a very cool car.
My last car was in an accident.



But in the end:

Because I WANTED one...

:angel:

 

Why a Prius?

Because I can't afford not to. I like to drive cars until they fall apart. I see myself keeping this car for 200K miles and Over 10 years, I'km sure I'll make the $$ back in gas savings.

 

I'm 53 and I'm not a car frantic, in my life I had two Volvo (small 345 automatic) and now now a Rover 214 with 125.000 Km. I've made this choiche because I do not want to buy no more a conventional gas veichle. Toyota is selling Prius in Italy only from March 2004 and I was one of the first people to buy it. I think that with all the avilable technology cars must be different and follow a way that is friendly with the environment.

So Prius because
1) low pollution
2) high technology
3) low gas use (and waste)

 

Given your estimations. With the following assumptions
Prius 50mpg
Other car 25mpg

The savings in Fuel should be about $400 per year.

The cost of fuel would be $800. per year for your prius.

There are other cars with a lower TOC (Total Ownership Costs). Both upfront, and in the long run. I believe that the ECHO would beat the Prius in TOC, and perhaps even the Corolla.

If your looking for "Toys", NAV, SE/SS, and the other stuff. I think the Prius has the most "bang for the buck"

I can honestly say the it WILL cost me more to drive a NEW prius, than to drive my used SUV.