Green is for poseurs: 50% of Prius buyers want to "make a statement"
Right now gas prices suck, and Prius sales are through the roof. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that a lot of people are buying the fuel-conscious, peculiar-looking little hatch to save some money at the pump. Petrol prices aside, a recent study from CNW Marketing Research shows that over half of Prius buyers primarily want to make a statement about themselves. If you just found yourself swallowing a little vomit, all apologies. The key to purchasing a Prius versus, say, a Honda Civic hybrid, is that Toyota's gas-electric vehicle is a hybrid-only model. The Civic, like the Camry and Ford Escape, can be purchased with a run-of-the-mill gasoline-only powertrain, and the only difference between it and the hybrid model is a little badge.
In the '80s, people making a statement wore Guess jeans and Polo-branded shirts. In the '90s it was $130 Nike shoes (Umm, they had those in the '80s, too -- Ed. ), and now to show off in the new millennium, you apparently have to drive a Prius. We've noticed that the many Prius hatchbacks traveling our nation's freeways aren't exactly driving 57 mph in the right lane to optimize fuel economy. If other automakers want to make a real splash in the hybrid game, they'll have to follow Toyota's lead and make a hybrid-only vehicle that helps owners feel better about the fact that others think they're "green."
[Source: Detroit News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
Kbdabear 8:20PM (1/27/2008)
The main reason that this POS is the ultimate poseurmobile of the Hollywood Elite is the "look at me, I care more than you" statement.
Prius cultists are paying 10K more than a Yaris owner are getting 45-50 mpg and low emissions, that's it. I have to believe that they also expect that they expect Al Gore to send them complimentary signed pieces of his Nobel Prize as a topper.
What you're NOT getting is the following, based on personal observation, reviews, and comments from priusonline posters before being shouted down by the kool-aid drinkers..
1. Engine - the 1.5 petrol engine delivering 67 bhp is pitiful in a 21st century engine. "Atkinson Cycle" or not, that kind of power and mpg was done in 1980's econobox powerplants. Top speed is listed at 104 mph, but the engine is screaming at the top of it's lungs and vibrating like an unbalanced washing machine while your most common saloon like the Camry, Accord, or E Class Merc is barely breaking a sweat. Acceleration claims of 0 to 60 in 10 seconds is a fantasy generated by Toyota marketing. The fastest I've seen in real world conditions is 12 seconds.
2. Gearbox - The CVT sounds like what a manual would sound like with a slipping clutch. This is called "smooth" by the shamans of the cult. I call it a headache inducer.
3. Handling - The slender and small tires will no doubt save the hypermilers a few bucks in city driving, but any evasive action needed in daily driving when cut off by a fellow Prius driver will make it's owner thankful for the 5 star crash rating. Scary at any curve at speeds over 30 mph, and the complaints of tire replacement at frequent levels would indicate that it's out of it's element when cornering. The steering is so numb that the driver might wonder if his arms have been injected with novicaine. The brakes are not for the faint of heart if you're suddenly seeing the rear of the car ahead approaching quickly in traffic because you've been watching Pri-Tendo on your dash. Supposedly the computer "knows" how much braking you need and supplies the extra kinetic energy to the battery. If the computer "knows" so much, why didn't it automatically brake before the hybrid unit ended up stuck in the boot of the car in front? Brakes have the primary function of stopping the car, not charging the battery. Another rather bothersome problem is that it is brutal in a stiff crosswind. Not comforting to those driving across the Golden Gate to Prius Heaven in Marin County or those Hollywood Elite in Santa Ana conditions.
4. Interior - While it does contain enough room for adults, that's what a midsized saloon is supposed to have. It's cheap and plastic, and contains an alarming number of rattles and squeaks for a new car. The wind noise even at low speeds is highly annoying too. While it is quiet at speeds below 30 due to the electric drive, the noisy engine with it's oscillating octaves due to the CVT also wears on you. Now let's get to the driver's seat, which does not adjust well, is uncomfortable, provides little support to the upper legs, and will guarantee that if you drive this thing for more than two hours straight, the money you save on gas will be spent on chiropractors and vicodin.
5. Miscellaneous problems reported by online forums, Consumer Reports, mainstream media reports and recalls.
Sudden acceleration, claimed by Toyota to be caused by ill fitting floormats
Sudden death of the engine, supposedly a software glitch. A cause of frustration if it happens to your home computer, a cause of heart attack if it happens on the freeway.
Rapid tire wear and even failure, may be attributed to hypermilers who overinflate the tires.
Getting stuck in snow or gravel on inclines, due to the overbearing traction control which cannot be turned off.
Numerous inconvenient software burps which affect the radio and other internal controls.
Scratches and paint fade on the finish, due possibly to save weight, due probably to Toyota saving money on production.
Before you say that I'm a Prius Hater, which is the truth, there are some positives I can see in the car...
1. You can't put 24 inch wheels on it.
2. It will never become the ricer of a 17 year old suburbanite.
3. While it's electronic keyless entry makes it difficult to steal, it's looks alone will deter any would be thug from lifting your ride.
4. Their successful sales numbers make them a joy to hate.
5. Petrolheads will know immediately not to waste dinner and flowers on a girl driving one. It's just not going to work out between you. Saves time, money, and aggravation.
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why not the LS2/LS7? 7:44PM (7/05/2007)
I don' t really agree. I know about a dozen friends who have Priuses and almost none volunteered the fact, I just saw them in the parking lot. So I think they are expressing interest in the environment, not just in being seen as doing so.
However, today I saw a Prius with the plate "WESMUG". A wry joke I suppose?
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why not the LS2/LS7? 8:08PM (7/05/2007)
Hmm. the comment system ate part of my post.
The plate read "WE(heart)SMUG" (I had heart in angle brackets before and I guess autoblog didn't like that).
Drewboy 9:17AM (7/06/2007)
"I don' t really agree. I know about a dozen friends who have Priuses and almost none volunteered the fact, I just saw them in the parking lot."
Are they married? lol
I saw a comedian named Jeff Dunham, and his wife bought a Prius. He has an SUV. She told him that seeing him driver her car once was the gayest way she'd ever seen him. He uses it to make fun of himself in his comedy tours now.
sean 10:04AM (7/10/2007)
The prius is a lie. It causes more environmental damage and costs more to drive through its entire life than a hummer. If you dont beleive it look it up. 7 or more countries are poluted before the junker is even built. Find out how much damage has been caused by mining the nickel. There is a Canadian town that is now un inhabitable because of the nickel mining for the battery. People have no clue. The only reason to drive one of these things is to make a statement. Do your homework before buying one of these lies.
tony 11:38AM (7/10/2007)
what happens to the old batteries on these cars?what kind of envorimental hazard do they have when they are discarded? is anybody addressing these issues?
curious
Why_Do_Neocons_Hate_the_Enviromnent 1:05PM (7/10/2007)
Hey Sean, put your thinking cap on! The phony baloney "analysis" you cite assumes the Prius' life will only be 109,000 miles!! That is idiotic!!
The Hummer is a POS car with lousy reliability (store plenty of roadway hazard flares in the back, you'll need 'em) and terrible gallons-per-mile. But Jesusland drivers will keep buying them and all giant SUVs...plenty of bragging rights sitting in the Cracker Barrel parking lot I guess.
The brain-dead, logic-free article you referred to has been a godsend for neocons who love to enjoy hating the Prius and all things environmental. As the saying goes, "You can lead a neocon to the facts but you can't make him think." So go run along in your Hummer for a couple of super size meals at Mickey D's with a bucket of soda to go.
Gennifer 1:57PM (7/10/2007)
I have 3 friends that each recently purchased a Prius. All three of them also own SUV's. All 3 of them still own very expensive sedans as well. All 3 live in Los Gatos, CA. which is a "Status symbol sort of town" for social climbers. What is all this telling you??????
G Money 7:45PM (7/05/2007)
All the automakers know this. Thats why both Honda AND Lexus are set to introduce hybrid ONLY models. Honda will introduce one below the civic and Lexus below the is250/350.
This really isnt news, didnt autoblog run a story about someone buying a 2001 civic ex 5sp manual and getting something like 45/47 mpg driving economically. Basically the story was showing how you could get ALMOST as good mialage while saving a substatial amount of money.
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Bill 7:51PM (7/05/2007)
It is true that Honda is introducing a hybrid-only model with unique styling. Hybrid buyers want their decision to drive a hybrid be readily visible and that is one reason why the Prius is so popular.
If you really think about it, does driving a hybrid make you cool? There are plenty of other ways to show you care for the environment including, public transportation, insulating your house, etc... The more I think about, the more I feel that hybrid owners are a bunch of yuppie geeks who shop at trader joes, use Apple computers, pay $4 for a cup of coffee, etc...
Mike G 7:58PM (7/05/2007)
Or yo yo listen up peeps: you could look at it from the supply side; even though we have record crude inventories of oil fo sho', prices are still bouncin ever higher - so the big oil companies are pimpin out the wallets of the consumers, which leads to demand destruction yo, and so the hybrids are keepin it real. I'm just sayin.
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Bill 8:09PM (7/05/2007)
Boo-yaka-sha. Yo you sees I sees what you be sayin but does that mean the oil companeez are to blame? Are they not a buizness that is in it to makes a profit? How much doos you really saves by drivin a fusion vehicle?
Enough of my Ali G impersonation. If you look at it really, a hybrid vehicle was meant for congested Japanese streets, that is why their highway mileage is worse than their city mileage. That being said, the only real hybrid that is going to make a difference is the Chevrolet Volt. To have the vehicle powered by an electric engine with the gasoline engine act as a generator is pure genius. It is my understanding that this technology is currently used in certain trains so it is not just a pipe dream.
Mike G 8:36PM (7/05/2007)
Yeah my Ali G's not so great either lol.
I'm just saying I'm amused that the big oil co.'s are indirectly promoting hybrids by manipulating gas prices so excessively. Much funnier when a rapper makes that point tho.
Dan 11:41AM (7/10/2007)
The only problem is that when these idiots see the Chevy Volt, they will not buy it or think it's "cool". To these idiots, a company like GM is an evil corporation that signifies everything they hear in the Democratic media about "big business". They did not buy the Prius to save gas or the environment or anything else, they just like to think that everyone else sees them as making an important change. It's too bad that Toyota is really no different than GM or any other auto company, they're all just trying to earn market share. Anyone who is really worried about the Environment should understand that the Economy comes first. People aren't looking for ways to eliminate pollution if they can't eat. Take someone that is scraping to get by and most likely they'll tell you they'd kill a thousand baby dolphins if it meant that they could keep their family fed and not have to worry about unemployment. Where am I going with all of this? You guessed it - BUY AMERICAN. Studies show that for every 1000 Ford, GM and Chrysler automobiles sold 33 AMERICAN jobs are created, for every 1000 Japanese Automobiles sold only 11 American jobs are created. For German automobiles, the number drops to less than 10. This does not even take into account the residual effects that these workers bring to the economy - they spend their money in America, creating more American jobs. Also, all of the profit from Japanese manufacturers goes to Japan, where it is siphoned into their economy. American profit - to Americans, where again it is spent in the American ecomony. Further more, most of the studies done on the products show that the newer model AMERICAN cars out perform their foreign competitors. Not to mention that the AMERICAN cars are more reasonably priced, especially when you take into account some of the discounts that are out there. Given this set of facts, I have trouble understanding why any AMERICAN citizen would buy a foreign car, especially if they are "trying to make a difference". If you are a Prius driver who is "trying to make a difference", please explain to me why the small amount of air pollution that you save and the 1 extra mile per gallon outweighs all of the things that I have explained here - we Americans are very curious to your response.
ToyotaUSA 1:24PM (7/10/2007)
Um, 'scuse me "Dan" (#11), but my Toyotas were built by Americans in Georgia and California in the good ol' US of A.
Many GMs are built in...Mexico.
Other than that, thanks for your fact-filled, ideology-free post...gringo. ;-)
Dan 3:34PM (7/10/2007)
Toyota USA,
If you read my comment, you'll see that it contains FACTS, unlike your spout off about my idealogy. Your Toyotas were only built in the USA so that the company could say "see, we're just as American as they are" and siphon your dollars over to Japan. The facts are the same, buy AMERICAN and you will create three times as many AMERICAN jobs. Those Toyotas that you so proudly claim are built in California and Georgia are still less than 50% American (parts and assembly). Even the cheapest GM built in Mexico has is more than 65% AMerican in parts and assembly. 90%+ of all GM, Ford and Chrysler end products sold in America are still assembled in USA. So go ahead and buy into Toyota's sales pitch of California and Georgia assembly plants (for about 10% of their American sold products), just realize that most of those parts are still foreign and the profits are still shot directly into Japan's economy.
Ric Kaysen 2:14PM (7/11/2007)
Read the headlines and insert your own joke here.
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b-rad 8:47PM (7/05/2007)
"and the only difference between it and the hybrid model is a little badge."
Well I'm sorry but I have to disagree. That is the only cosmetic difference, perhaps, but a hybrid badge is most certainly NOT the only difference between a Civic and a Civic Hybrid. I'm sorry, it's just a matter of semantics really, but one major difference would be the electric motors, different steering mechanisms, AC system... the list goes on. So please, add the word cosmetic when talking about badges on the outside of a car.
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Viv 8:20PM (7/05/2007)
The post is only talking about visual differences though. Unless you really look nobody notices the difference between a civic and a civic hybrid. That's what the author is saying.
b-rad 8:50PM (7/05/2007)
It may be the context of the article, yes. But it was not what the author was saying, it was what the author was trying to say.