In my 5 years of Prius'ing - I've been evil maybe 3 or 4 times. Always the same scenerio ... it'll be some shloemo WAY back behind me on a long / 2 lane freeway onramp. Here he comes, just dying to race by me before the 2 lanes merge into one. I think, "oh no you dont' ... mr. speedy) Buahhahahahahaaa! oh ... sorry ... a moment of weakness .
I don’t ever race anyone in my Prius, but I don’t let anyone take advantage of me either, because they think the Prius is sloooow. There is this freeway onramp that I take home from work. It is straight on. There is a stop light just before the entrance and only the right lane of the four lane road is designated as the lane to get onto the onramp. Sometimes though a car goes in the lane one over and tries to merge in from the other lane. Usually it is because they did not know that only one lane is used to get on the freeway. So most, including me let those merge in once the light turns green. One day though there was this pimped up pickup truck that was several cars behind in the onramp lane and I was in front waiting for the light to turn green. With the light still red this pickup truck pulls out of the onramp lane and gets in the lane next to me, Obviously thinking to get ahead of everyone else. Sort of like someone that cuts in line. I hate those types. Anyway, the light was still red and he was gunning is pickup truck some, trying to prove something I guess. You have to realize that the onramp is only a short distance from the stop light. This is where the Prius excels, the first few hundred feet from a stand still. The light turned green and the pickup truck was I think surprised that he did not get passed me and had to follow in behind. I think I pissed this guy off, because by the time we were on the freeway he raced by me as fast as he could, making a big roar, never mind that I was already at the speed limit and was done accelerating.
Yes, just like RolfS, I to drive the So. Cal frwys. I usually do beat most all cars getting on the freeway on-ramps (acceleration lane/carpool lane/merge lane). Most drivers are surprised that the Prius can accelerate from a dead stop. I do miss my 1998 Prelude, though. There were other comments on hot-car drivers who don't know how to drive - those people are the worst kinds. Go to driving school... I went to the Bondurant school a few years ago, learned a lot of great stuff for everyday driving. (3-day racing class)
OK... but what is the 0-60 of a 2010 Prius or the 1/4 mile? or perhaps as you all mention what is the 1/8 mile? compared to an obvious competitor, the Corolla... My wife has a Camry Hybrid and that one is -by far- much faster than the Prius.
Here in S. NJ, everyone wants to race, everyone wants to pick a fight. I always win by not participating. I can tell by the looks on their faces, when I see them at the next light. Then I smile in victory. Just like this:
I like to anticipate the red lights too (like everyone should do) as the idiots race up to the red light and slam on the brakes. Sometimes, it is obvious that they want you to get out of their way because they think that quickly approaching a red light followed by grinding deceleration is getting somewhere. Then if I can be lucky enough to have a clear lane right next to them, a good pulse in the power zone and a glide back down to the speed limit is my favorite way to "blow their doors off". Then I as they fly around me again on their way to the next red light that I am now coasting toward. Meanwhile, I'm getting 50+ MPG (the real win).
[quote snipped] Pedaling a bike, it is easy to beat lots of cars across the intersection. Since the Prius has excellent initial torque, it should be tougher to beat.
I once coasted up to a light as it was about to change, gunned it and merged over to the left lane in front of a Black Charger with tinted windows...much to my surprise, it was a cop and he showed me how bright his red and blue lights could shine through those dark windows! :mod: Uh, oh! But he didn't pull me over although I could have been the loser financially on that race (WHEW!). I've found that the Prius isn't made for racing. You'll usually be on the losing end unless the opponent is a hoop dee from the 70's or 80's and you just need to get in front of him to breathe some fresh air after sucking those choking fumes for miles on end.
I will repost my comment from this thread: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/74797-prius-passes-ferrari.html Threads like this make the internets laugh at you. For example (there are more, many, many more): F-Body Message Board - Too Funny - Prius Racing - and THEY ARE SERIOUS Prius Racing stories - IWSTI.com: Subaru WRX STI Forums
I got beat 'DRAG RACING' my PRIUS this past Sunday by 9 seconds. This car is slow. <a href="http://www.123rf.com/photo_3235021.html"><img src="http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/lisafx/lisafx0806/lisafx080600070/3235021.jpg" border="0" alt="Disabled senior lady in pink, excited about achieving her health goals. photo"></a>  Embed Code
I raced on a track before. Skill is important but first you need a really good car. A well equipped car with lots of power and a reasonable driver will beat a great driver in a crappy car every time. Within reason, of course and assuming no dirty tricks by the great driver in the crappy car. A great driver can shave a few seconds off the track time. But so can a more powerful engine. This is at the hobby level. So it is really a game of who can throw the most money into the hobby. I think at the professional level where performance is capped and everybody spends a lot, skill is more important.