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Comments
To say this will have a temporary distorting effect on demand for Prius, Highlander H, Lexus RX-H, etc. is probably an understatement. What it will do to pricing depends solely on how many informed people put off a purchase until after the first of the year - right now, media coverage of the tax credit and its limitations has not been widespread or well-reported. Once it is, I expect to see some demand pushed from the 4th quarter of '05 into the first two quarters of '06. We shall see....
Here is my issue. The few people I know who have a Prius all fall into the extreme left wing, tree hugging, vegan, green eco type. (Which I have no real problem with if that is your cause or your thing) Well, that is not me at all. And just because I drive a type of car I am wondering if all of a sudden I will be lumped in with the eco-extreme crowd?
Anyone have any experience with people's reactions? I guess I could put a rush Limbaugh bumper sticker on the Prius and really confuse people!
And before we go off into any tree hugging/anti tree hugging rants here, let's just stick with discussing the Prius and help keep this a place where we can escape from some of the angst of the day!
I would not worry about that. Conservatives should also consider them to save money. After all that is a very conservative concept. I would be more concerned with people coming up asking for my autograph, thinking I was Leonardo de Caprio
Check out the tax credits and incentive forum. I posted a different interpretation of the law regarding the 60,000 quota which is a little different than what's been posted. Bottom line: you don't have to be one of the first 60k buyers.
otis1, "Tax credits / incentives for hybrids?" #79, 17 Aug 2005 11:56 pm
this is my 3rd toyota, and each one has been better then the last one. Kudos to toyota for giving the public a great car at a reasonable price..
btw.. we need a new smiley! can we get a lemon with a X in it, meaning no lemons..
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/08/18/BUG9EE9ANG1.DTL
Thanks.
Just make sure it meets your criteria for bulky cargo, and weight capacity. A Prius has a lot less cargo capability than a Pilot. You might be better off with the Hybrid Highlander or Ford Escape. But both cost more and get less mileage.
Also, if you trips are short you may not achieve the mileage you expect.
Personally, I could care less what people think about me based on what I drive. I do drive a smaller SUV (Honda CR-V), because I need the space, and it serves my purposes. Plus it is resonably good on MPG and doesn't cost a mint to purchase.
Buy the car that suits your needs and budget!
I've heard that the extended warr is available thru various after dealer outfits ....Buyer beware. Find one with a favorable reputation. The costs seem to be in the range of 900-1200 bucks as I have experienced.
You said the dealer "strong armed you." Too bad. Most Toyota dealers are not usually that hard sell.
Get back to us soon.
Railroadjames
I probably would be classified by most here as THE anti-Prius type; early 30's, conservative Republican (the only one in my family. My parents are disappointed to say the least), Federal employee in Counter-Terrorism field. You don't want to know my opinion on some "leftist" issues. I have owned 3 gas-sucking SUV's (including a V8 Dodge-10MPG). I currently still have my '99 4Runner with 175,000. So, I doubt I could be called a "friend of the environment" by the left. Why did I buy a Prius? Simple! (I may be a Conservative, but I'm practical). Show me another car with the Prius styling (so many cars today all look alike, particularly SUV's) plus family-friendly 5-door practicality, tons of room, comfortable ride and (did I mention) 50+MPG!! Plus, HID lights, fog lamps, side curtain airbags and SmartKey for less than $24,000. I looked at it as a fantastic value for the money. The "extra" for me was the gas savings. I drive about 165 miles roundtrip every day for work. I went from an '05 Scion Tc to an '05 Prius package #4. Tc was a great car. Fun to drive, plenty of power, great features, etc. I just saw the Prius as a better value overall. In the first 1,500 miles of ownership I only fill up once every 6-7 days instead of every other day. Average gas savings per month is $185. My insurance went DOWN because of the safety features.
Yeah, some people will never "get" the Prius because of the "fear of technology" thing. That happens. Look at how many people were afraid of that "new-fangled horseless carriage thing". Some people will shy away for fear of being labeled a "greenie" or a "tree-hugging hippie". If they're too close-minded to realize the practicality or to see this new technology as the way of the future, oh well. More Prius' available for us!
I do think that the Hybrids are cars worthy of "extended warr." add ons, due to the complexity of the cars and the possible higher cost of repairs these days that effect all cars not just hybrids. Better to be safe and secure and not sorry. I presently have 23K miles on my Prius with nary a thing to complain about. Milage is fairly consistant ...in the range of 48-53 mpg's. Whats not to like with nearly $3.00 a gal gas.
Railroadjames ( I wonder if rationing could be around the corner?) (think about it...its happened B/4) (Look out Hummers and Escalades..etc) :sick:
If you drive that much the Prius is a good choice. Do you get to use the carpool lanes in your area? Did you get a break off of MSRP? Good luck with your new car & keep us posted on your Prius experience.
I suspect that more and more people will be interested in a sales pitch that says the Prius is a midsize family car that is versatile, affordable, gets outstanding mileage and has all the comforts you would expect. Over the pitch of Prius being a "green" car and full of new technology that people don't understand.
Of course with gas prices as they are Toyota won't have to do much marketing anyway.
I paid sticker for the Prius. No dealer in this area is offering any breaks as the cars are either sold before off the truck or within minutes after. Most places around here don't even have one availabel for a test drive. The one I bought had been ordered by someone. When he came in with his wife to get it, she decided she did not like it and wanted a Sienna instead. My fiancee and I test drove it on a Monday night. I called back Tuesday afternoon to say I'd take it (after calling around and finding NO ONE had any in stock) and found it had been sold already! Then, 2 days later I get another call from the salesman (jonathan). He said that the other salesman's customers had failed to qualify for financing, so the car was mine if I still wanted it. I immediately put a $500 hold on it. It was not my first choice for color (Driftwood) or package (#4). But when I found out that I'd have to wait 6 months if I orderded one, I realized I could live with the car as it is. Maybe it's just the new car euphoria, but I like it more and more every day I drive it!
http://www.edmunds.com/help/about/press/105827/article.html?tid=edmunds.h..pressrelease..1- .*
I was especially concerned about how the Prius will actually cost me almost $10,000 over a 5 year period compared to a comparable Civic/Corrola. I believe the Edmunds report assumes $2.50/gallon gas and factors in the $3000 tax credit in the new energy bill. So i'm now uncertain about whether or not a hybrid is even worth it.
Is there any discussion on this board or elsewhere on this report. I was just curious on poeple's viewpoints on the Edmunds report.
You mentioned 06 model will have slight appearance mods and other assorted goodies. What kind of goodies and what slight appearance mods? And what is the added cost of a 06 model?
Further, the Prius should be compared to the car it replaces. Getting over twice (21 MPG vs 52 MPG) the mileage from the car my Prius replaces, I find myself saving over $1,800/yr and over $3,500/yr compared to my Lincoln Aviator (which I need for family hauling and towing).
If it weren't a hatch back, it would be compact. Having the trunk included in the interior pushes it just into the mid-size by EPA volume. In fact, Edmunds list it as a compact.
In terms of actual size and weight, it is very close to the Corolla.
* 3 piece suit & a Hummer seem like strange bedfellows to me. Almost an oxymoron. Whats wrong with this picture?
Railroadjames(Want World Peace?..Use your Turn-Signal)
It may be to portray the perception of wealth. It is all about image. Not much other reason to drive a Hummer. They are not that great a vehicle. Some people drive a Prius to present a certain image. Some drive a Hummer. I would say they are at the opposite ends of the spectrum. You do seem to be attracted to the Hummers. Does your alter ego really want one in the driveway? I don't see either filling my needs or desires in a vehicle. Remember he is contributing a lot more tax dollars to the maintenance of our roads and bridges than the person driving a Prius.
If someone is going to compare the Corolla and Prius, they should at least compare the hatchback version of the Corolla--Matrix--to the Prius. Very comparable in interior room and utility. Prius still has more rear-seat leg room, however.
Many would say the same of your Bentley GT. They are bigger gas hogs than any SUV the EPA has listed.
As to my alter ego ....I guess what I'd prefer to entice the hot babes with is an Austin-Martin (James Bond style). It seems to me that our cars do reflect alot about us but not everybody sees us as what we really are...just people going from point "A" to point "B" only some of us choose to make a statement thru, as you put it, our alter egos.
One thing for sure. We will adapt when fuels become either short of our demands or so expensive that modifications will be in order. That includes you too!! Oh!! And everyone else
Railroadjames :surprise:
Anyone have any recent talk about the 'o6 model? I have a chance to buy an '05 but since patience is the only virture I have in abundance, should I wait for more improvements?
Thanks.
Walter
Passenger Volume (Prius/Camry/Corolla) 96/102/90
Wheelbase (Prius/Camry/Corolla) 106.3/107/102.4
Front Leg Room (Prius/Camry/Corolla) 41.9/41.6/41.3
Rear Head Room (Prius/Camry/Corolla) 38.6/37.8/35.4
I wouldn't have thought Passenger Volume would include a trunk calculation.
I was wondering why that edmunds report used different numbers to skew the results.