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PTWizard

Beach Lover
Jan 17, 2005
80
0
Columbus, OH
Traded our X5 for a Prius last year. Have driven it over 24,000 miles so far, including 3 round trips from OH to SoWal, and love it! Usually average 50-52 on the highway and 48-50 in town. But, it uses regular gas. The X5 required premium. This car is quiet, very comfortable, has great back seats, cargo area, adequate acceleration and maintains speed on cruise control even through the mountains of TN. I couldn't be more satisfied.
 

6thGen

Beach Fanatic
Aug 22, 2005
1,491
152
Who said that Chickypea is looking to save money on gas? I don't think she said it. Maybe she is concerned with the amount of pollution her car gives off. Or, maybe she is concerned with running out of gas, as many people do, during an evacuation. Maybe she is concerned with reducing demand for gasoline.

I know of no one who looks at their Prius as a status symbol. Prius owners whom I know, buy them because they are concerned about the environment.

On another note, I can vouch the back seat of the Prius is plenty roomy. I don't feel that in the Civic, and the Mini, forget-about-it -- very cute car, but the grocery holder shouldn't be called a back seat.

A status symbol doesn?t have to be about showing how much money you have. It can also be showing everyone how much you care about the environment. South Park did a funny show on that. I also think you have to drive lots of 10 miles extra on a tank of gas to get past the battery disposal, but you still net positive.
 

Smiling JOe

SoWal Expert
Nov 18, 2004
31,644
1,773
A status symbol doesn?t have to be about showing how much money you have. It can also be showing everyone how much you care about the environment. South Park did a funny show on that. I also think you have to drive lots of 10 miles extra on a tank of gas to get past the battery disposal, but you still net positive.
I never said, nor thought, that you intended the phrase, "status symbol" to be equated with money. As I mentioned, the people whom I know that drive a Prius, do so, not for status symbol, but because they acutally care about trying to be environmentally friendly. They could give a rat's @ss about what other people think. If they did care, they wouldn't have purchased the very unique-looking Prius. It isn't the most stylish of cars. ;-)
 

6thGen

Beach Fanatic
Aug 22, 2005
1,491
152
Sheesh.

http://www.metroweekly.com/gears/?ak=1438

The 2005 Toyota Prius is the latest example of the evolution of the little green machine into a gas-saving status symbol. By ditching the econobox styling for a Star Trek aesthetic, Toyota hit the hybrid sweet spot, even stealing the thunder of hybrid models from that other Japanese behemoth, Honda.

For now, the Prius is a competent vehicle for those who want a serviceable, mildly distinctive car that makes a big statement. Others looking for a more traditional approach in a hybrid -- less shuttle pod, more automobile -- will want to look elsewhere.


http://www.wheels.ca/article/21980

Mar 11, 2006

Well into its second generation as the poster car for environmental responsibility, it's not as if the Prius isn't instantly recognizable. Its distinctive shape makes it easy to pick out on the road, and its unofficial status as the cool car for big bucks but green-thinking Hollywood stars to drive has made it a bit of a star in its own right.

Driving a hybrid car has become about way more than just using less fuel and saving the environment. It's also a bit of a status statement, and the fact that the Prius doesn't look like other vehicles out there has played to its advantage.

And as it has become a status symbol, Toyota has begun to offer more and more luxury features for its drivers.

http://www.metroweekly.com/gears/?ak=1438

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0820/is_339/ai_n16088477

Fuel for thought: hybrid vehicles are the environmentalist's ultimate status symbol. But are regular cars that get great gas mileage almost as good?
Vegetarian Times, March, 2006 by Jordana Brown
 

Smiling JOe

SoWal Expert
Nov 18, 2004
31,644
1,773
...but 6thGen, how many people do you know who own a Prius? Let's hear about those people, rather than searching online for a autoreviewer's comments. I'm giving you real life examples. Let's hear about the Prius owners whom you know. Do they want everyone to perceive them as being green, without really caring whether or not they are green?
 
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