Toyota Pruis

Your argument isn't totally valid because the Prius will have the higher resale value. The cost difference doesn't evaporate. The opportunity cost yes, the recapture scenario, no. If oil costs more going forward, it's a better deal. The Prius will get at least 50 percent better mileage than the Corolla in it's best driving environment which is the city. Still, you've got more mechanical complication, which I believe Toyota can handle better than GM or Ford. When did Prius become a namebrand?

If Chickpea wants to immediately start saving money on gas, she has to spend more on a vehicle, no matter what she recoups later. It wouldn't be different than purchasing a $5,000 gas card when you buy a car unless you look at the car as an investment. Also, considering until a few years ago I had to drive 30 minutes to a decent grocery store, the city argument doesn't work for her since she lives in the "30-A Corridor". I'm not criticizing the car, I just know it's more of a status symbol than it is a great car, and there is nothing wrong with that. I'm guessing it became a namebrand out west sooner than it did here, but I first noticed it as a such when Larry David started driving one on Curb Your Enthusiasm, specifically when he was b*tching about having to wave to fellow Prius drivers.

Ignore 6thGen, I think it's great that you are shopping for a more environmentally friendly car................so I wouldn't care if its seats are made by Versace and it's sponsored by Al G! Good gravy - wouldn't it be awful if it became "cool" to drive a car that pollutes less.

I never said there was anything wrong with status symbols or name brands. If you take the time to read what I wrote before you said to ignore me (I honestly thought she had already hit that button), you'd see where I typed "Hear, hear for namebrands".

I will speak to the Civic. I had a 2000 Honda Civic. In late 2004, I had a very serious frontal collision. Had no choice but to run into a completely stopped car in the center lane of a freeway during rush hour doing about 65 mph.

Luckily for me...the Honda Civic drops its engine down in these types of crashes....keeps it from coming back into the passenger compartment. Although I ended up with a right broken leg, crushed pelvis, and shattered left hip....I am alive to talk about it. I was extremely fortunate...and some of that was due to the Civic.

Sorry about the accident KB. My sister owns a civic too and she was just hit where the gas nozzle is at about 40 mph. She got away with minor injuries, but the car was looked totalled. After arguing with insurance adjuster for the last 3 weeks, they decided to total the car but they were really trying to avoid paying because the car holds it value so well.

If Chickpea wants to immediately start saving money on gas, she has to spend more on a vehicle, no matter what she recoups later. It wouldn't be different than purchasing a $5,000 gas card when you buy a car unless you look at the car as an investment. Also, considering until a few years ago I had to drive 30 minutes to a decent grocery store, the city argument doesn't work for her since she lives in the "30-A Corridor". I'm not criticizing the car, I just know it's more of a status symbol than it is a great car, and there is nothing wrong with that. I'm guessing it became a namebrand out west sooner than it did here, but I first noticed it as a such when Larry David started driving one on Curb Your Enthusiasm, specifically when he was b*tching about having to wave to fellow Prius drivers.

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.

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.

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.

Wikipedia:

A status symbol is something, usually an expensive or rare object, that indicates a high social status for its owner.

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. ;-)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19088667/from/RS.2/ The Prius article about being a status symbol is over 5 years old. Toyota passed 1 million in hybrid sales recently.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A2587-2002Jun5

You need to check the location -- Los Angeles (Hollywood) in 2002. What do celebrities have to do with anything about buyers around here? Those movie stars also own private jets.

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

Kirk to Enterprise....One econobox to beam up...

...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?

...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?

So you prefer anecdotal evidence? I don't know anyone who drives a Prius. I don't know anyone who's paid for a carbon offset (or whatever it's called)either, so it's safe to say you won't see any men with ponytails or women with underarm hair that would enjoy my company. You can insert one of those smiley faces here.

6thGen is right.

Chickpea, the Prius is a status car.

How do I know this, -well as everybody with half a brain knows the whole environmental movement was fabricated by a consortium of One World Government Socialists and an advertising agency out of Hollywood, probably run by homosexuals.

It is nothing more than a fad and an international conspiracy wrapped up in a celebrity endorsed package.

We all know how every mindless teeny-bopper wants to be just like Paris and Brittany and clearly environmentalists are just slightly grown up versions of the same mentality. Do not fall victim to this too.

Chickpea, I don?t know you from Eve, but I?ll wager that you were a mediocre student now pecking away at a mindless 9-5 job and desperately trying to find a way to crawl herself up the social ladder. And the Prius just seems like an easy way to earn the respect of those Hollywood types you so desperately want to impress. Let me suggest that you spend less time trying to impress, well Ted Danson and more time applying yourself to this great capitalist system that we call America.

Hard work will get you to where you clearly strive to be, and then you too can drive the only cars in America that are above the demeaning term ?status cars?. You know, cars like Bently, Ferrari, or a Hummer. Anyone who is rich enough to drive these doesn?t need to buy a symbol of status since, self evidently, they already have status.

Good luck, work hard, and happy Hummer driving!

So you prefer anecdotal evidence? I don't know anyone who drives a Prius. I don't know anyone who's paid for a carbon offset (or whatever it's called)either, so it's safe to say you won't see any men with ponytails or women with underarm hair that would enjoy my company. You can insert one of those smiley faces here.

I dont think there's anyone who would enjoy your company.

So you prefer anecdotal evidence? I don't know anyone who drives a Prius. I don't know anyone who's paid for a carbon offset (or whatever it's called)either, so it's safe to say you won't see any men with ponytails or women with underarm hair that would enjoy my company. You can insert one of those smiley faces here.

I would much rather hear anecdotal evidence of ten friends of Prius owners, than 3 newspaper/blog writers who are looking for readership. By the way, in the world of the internet, I would think that you would at least use relatively current information. The articles you linked were written in 2002, 2005, and 2006. We are in 2007, and do not live in California.

Thanks. What will the update on the Honda Accord be and when will that be (though I can't imagine getting a new car unless the safety difference is really significant because this is the car the teens will drive as well and insurance costs will matter). My main concerns will be safety and cost of insuring.
What's a CRV.

The update of the Accord is this fall. The coupe and sedan are similar. They will have cutting edge safety/drivetrains. The other pic is an '07 CRV. Made in Japan,4 cylinder only.

That is a good looking Accord, but where is the sedan? I read that the new generation Accords will have Variable Cylinder technology, allowing it to operate on partial cylinders some of the time, thereby greatly reducing the fuel consumption. They should have been doing this long ago, IMO. If they will just cut back on the 250hp engine, that would help, too.

So you prefer anecdotal evidence? I don't know anyone who drives a Prius. I don't know anyone who's paid for a carbon offset (or whatever it's called)either, so it's safe to say you won't see any men with ponytails or women with underarm hair that would enjoy my company. You can insert one of those smiley faces here.

http://www.motortrend.com/features/consumer/112_0705_james_woolsey_interview/index.html Do you know this guy?

I love playing with you people, but it just makes me tired when everybody argues.

It's a CAR, for pity's sake. It will get her from point A to point B for a few years. Then she'll decide if she wants to keep it forever because she LOVES it, trade it in on another one if she really likes it, or get rid of it altogether if it turns out to be not all that she wanted. She just wanted to know what was good or bad about it. My guess is that she already had an idea that she wanted a Prius, but wanted either a validation for it or a strong warning against it.

Do they require special $5000 tires every 6 months? Does she need an extra 150-mile extension cord, just in case? Since they're electric, will they explode in the rain? These are the sort of things she wants to know; she seems to understand what she likes about them already.

Maybe she DOES want good gas mileage for the instant gratification of saving on the weekly bill, which will negate the hassle/expense of whatever battery issue it has. THAT'S OKAY. Maybe it will make her feel good that she's making an honest effort not to consume an inordinate amount of fossil fuel. That's great, too. Nobody needs to bust her chops about it!

Maybe status (whether social or economic or environmental) is playing a part. That's okay, too, dadgummit. Anecdote: I was shopping for a Civic because they're great cars. Then I found out that a convertible MINI had comparable gas mileage/resale, better maintenance, etc. Mostly I bought the MINI because it was--don't judge me!--CUTER! (I also recently discovered that you can fit a giant surfboard in it, too, and I doubt I could have done that in the Civic. I would strongly recommend a MINI, but the backseat is strictly for people who don't have legs. I never sit in the backseat when I drive, so I don't care.)

If she's gonna spend the money, she might as well spend it on a car she likes. If she wants a frickin' Prius, let's love her for it! Buy the Prius, honey!

Can't we all just get along?

We all know how every mindless teeny-bopper wants to be just like Paris and Brittany

Brittany drives a Pepper White convertible MINI.

So do I.

She wants to be just like me, and I don't blame her. I rock the free world.

I don't know about others but I certainly don't think of my 2006 Prius as a status symbol. I actually like the styling but my decision was mostly based on economics. It cost $24,500 pretty well equipted. My other car is a 2006Honda Accord EX which I bought for about $22,500 very well equipted. However, for long trips the Prius has more cargo space and the back seats are more comfortable. Plus, it get 50% better gas milage on the highway and about 100% better gas milage in town. Since I believe it is only a matter of time before gas reaches $4-5/gallon I'm feeling pretty good about my decision.

We can get along, but we don't have to think the same. 08 Accord sedan pics