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Toyota Prius

7476 messages,  Last post on Nov 29, 2009 at 4:44 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Hybrid Cars


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#7410 of 7476
making a statement? by dkreller
May 01, 2009 (10:02 am)
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If driving a Prius is all about 'making a statement', what is driving a HH about?
 
There is a glaring failure in your post to justify your position. Great discussing with you. Nothing like your type to shut down discussion. I wouldn't mind having more friends who are in your political fold, the problem is that they insist on shutting down discussions as soon as it might get interesting and as soon as they are asked to justify their position.
 
I am not saying I hate you or your family, or everyone in your church, I am just trying to debate some ideas. There is a difference between people and ideas.
 
The debate on religion is one I know more about than offshore drilling. If you are really a deep thinking and independently-minded person, have you really thought through the evidence for and against that position? Is everyone who doesn't see things your way 'out to get you'?
 
Well, this was about ethanol in gasoline, but clearly this has gone off in a different direction.
#7411 of 7476
Re: making a statement? [dkreller] by wvgasguy
May 01, 2009 (10:24 am)
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Replying to: dkreller (May 01, 2009 10:02 am)

Clearly.
 
I drive a hybrid because it allows me to purchase less foreign oil. That's it, that's the only reason. But as much as I like to achieve that end, I don't want to raise food prices and starve people in developing countries by taking our corn and turning it into fuel. There is too much of our own oil in the ground and off shore to be doing that.
 
As for the rest of your comments I don't even see the need to go there on this forum. Actually there is a forum on global warming that you would enjoy. They love to argue discuss there.
 
What I have noted though, looking through these posts is that Prius, more so than any other hybrid, seem to attract tree huggers, global warming alarmist, SUV hating, left wing- non-religious people. I'm left wondering then just how comfortable I would be driving one. I really like the idea of 50 mpg but that's it. That's all there is to it.
#7412 of 7476
Prius: Statement or Rationality? by dkreller
May 01, 2009 (11:23 am)
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Hi wvgasguy,
 
I drive a Prius for several reasons. I used to live in the Great Lakes region where air quality can be a real problem, and I love driving a car w/ very low emissions. I also teach environmental chemistry and about air pollution, so I like not being hypocritical about the emissions of my own vehicle and smog. I am married to a medical professional who knows the statistics about the effects of air pollution on health. It really bothers me when I have to endure the emissions of other folk's poorly maintained very inefficient vehicles. I don't want to bother anybody else or affect anyone else's health by my driving.
 
Also, I am aware that we are going to run out of oil in the foreseeable future. Exactly when things are going to get tight is debatable, but I think it is starting to happen. I will probably switch my car to a plug-in as soon as it is economical to do so. I agree with you, it is good to help us move away from dependence on foreign sources of oil.
 
Also, I am glad to support modern vehicles. In my eyes, 98% of the vehicles on the road are dinosaurs. I know that statement right there is going to upset a lot of folks, but we have just been allowing ourselves to keep producing and driving very inefficient and dirty vehicles. Hybrids are not perfect, I'll agree, but today's hybrids are a step in the right direction. Battery technology is improving at a good rate right now and in a few years the benefits of better batteries are going to hit the market. In short another reason I like driving a hybrid is that I am a supporter of cars getting cleaner and more efficient.
 
It's a matter of perspective, and who you end up talking to. Perhaps there have been extreme alarmists and tree huggers on here but the Prius drivers I have met have been thoughtful and intelligent people. Sure there are probably some whackos driving Prii, but don't blame that on the car!
 
David
 
ps. I am sorry to have helped an discussion that is not appropriate to this forum get started here.
#7413 of 7476
Re: making a statement? [wvgasguy] by tiff_c
May 01, 2009 (12:11 pm)
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Replying to: wvgasguy (May 01, 2009 10:24 am)

I drive a hybrid because it allows me to purchase less foreign oil. That's it, that's the only reason. But as much as I like to achieve that end, I don't want to raise food prices and starve people in developing countries by taking our corn and turning it into fuel. There is too much of our own oil in the ground and off shore to be doing that.
What I have noted though, looking through these posts is that Prius, more so than any other hybrid, seem to attract tree huggers, global warming alarmist, SUV hating, left wing- non-religious people. I'm left wondering then just how comfortable I would be driving one. I really like the idea of 50 mpg but that's it. That's all there is to it.

 
Well my wife and I will be buying a 2010 Prius and believe me we don't hug trees. We also don't eat whales.
I seriously doubt that any farmers will be contributing to global starvation by selling ethanol. Oh and I am 100% opposed to ethanol being used in gasoline. I thin farmers being paid to not grow food is stupid.
The only political statement I want to make with my car is that I am tired of spending far too much money on gas.
We drive a lot and the Prius will cut down on our fuel usage which will allow us to spend more money on other things.
Lots of lesbians buy the Subaru Forester but that doesn't make everyone who drives one a lesbian.
Sure environmental nut jobs will rally around the Prius until something greener comes along. Maybe they will migrate to the Chevy Volt? But not all Prius owners are enviro nut jobs.
I've seen as many idiots driving a Prius as I have an SUV. Prius owners tend to drive slow and some SUV owners try and push you off the road. Both are wrong!
Also give the president time. I used to be a hard-core republican so I'm real familiar with the workings of that party and for certain the cry would go out if McCain had gotten in office to give him some time to fix what's broke.
So cut Obama some slack just like you would have with McCain and give him time to fix things. It's not going to happen overnight.
#7414 of 7476
Re: BIG Prius Mileage Difference: Gas with NO ethanol [dkreller] by dmathews3
May 01, 2009 (1:14 pm)
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Replying to: dkreller (May 01, 2009 9:00 am)

Don't let him bother ya, even the republicans are jumping ship. They see what the last 8 years did to America.
#7415 of 7476
Re: BIG Prius Mileage Difference: Gas with NO ethanol [dkreller] by rick294
May 01, 2009 (1:30 pm)
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Replying to: dkreller (May 01, 2009 9:00 am)

dkreller: nothing I would post here would agree with anything whatsoever you have posted here, so I won't get into that. (Much as I would dearly love to). Having said that, wvgasguy and I are likely out of the same mold, for what it's worth. Yes, the climate does seem to be changing - just like it has in both directions for eons. I do not believe mankind has anything whatsoever to do with it, however. I also do not believe that carbon dioxide is a pollutant (of all things). Hey, I know...we could rid ourselves of a lot of it by cutting down all the trees. They give it off all night long. For my part, I drive an 08 Prius, frankly, because of ONLY two things: 1) I like getting wonderful gas mileage, and 2) I really like Toyotas and their quality reputation. I do not busy myself trying to "save the planet" or "save the whales" or any of that sort of thing. The earth is not my god (small 'g'). The environment isn't either. Nor is "science". And my concrete faith is hardly 'unsubstantiated' - quite the opposite. You should rent or buy the movie, "Expelled. No Intelligence Wanted"
Ben Stein is quite good in it. And no, he is not a raving "religious right" type as you were wont to tag me with. And that's all I have to say about this other-than-Prius topic.
#7416 of 7476
Re: Prius: Statement or Rationality? [dkreller] by wvgasguy
May 01, 2009 (1:35 pm)
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Replying to: dkreller (May 01, 2009 11:23 am)

I'm an Engineer by education and training and though I have been a car nut for as far back as I can remember. I found that chasing horsepower is futile as they always come out with something bigger each year. I was concerned as I went to the "boring" Camry that I would indeed regret it. However I found the challenge of trying to achieve maximum FE every time out was fun (in its own way). The nav system energy screens kept me engaged in the process.
 
Now I'm spoiled. I look at cars that get 20 city / 28 highway and I don't think that's good enough. I never noticed before because I would never have driven any economy cars but there are not any decent cars that get 30+ mpg on average. High highway EPA estimates look good on advertisements but I have never averaged much more than 10% over the city estimate so unless you have something like a hybrid where the city milage is more than the highway milage I don't think they would give me high overall averages. Even diesel won't give me the average I desire. (I had a BMW diesel in 1985 just for the novelty of it).
 
My heart has been looking at the CTS and Pontiac G8 GXP and I like the new Camaro and 370Z. But, I've been telling my friends at work and church to be prepared for tough times and while I can afford high priced gasoline, I think I need to walk the talk. The enemy we fight do not mind living in caves without electricity. They could care less about killing their own countrymen either. The oil producing nations, many of whom support terrorist, should they be willing to cut their own financial piggybank, can bring the capitalized world to its knees overnight.
 
One person cannot change all that. But one person can do their part. It's so easy to say the problem is too big and just ignore it. I decided I couldn't do that anymore.
 
The Ford Fusion Hybrid, The Camry Hybrid and the Prius are the only cars I have on my list right now. The TCH is a bargan right now, the Fusion is fresh and more comfortable than the Camry (at least in the front seat) and the new Prius seems like a good compromise in size and utility with excellent FE. Throw in a few electrical goodies and I can even stay interested. Maybe enough that I won't keep turning my head every time a CTS passes me.
#7417 of 7476
Re: Prius: Statement or Rationality? [wvgasguy] by rick294
May 01, 2009 (2:55 pm)
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Replying to: wvgasguy (May 01, 2009 1:35 pm)

Of course, there IS another consideration that should be made concerning the CTS (which I think is pretty cool, too btw) - and that is the fact that GM is in pretty hot water right now, and ... well - who knows? - are they going to be around in the future? Hard to say, but an orphan car could be a problem to sell later on. Just a thought. I agree with your message content.
#7418 of 7476
Re: BIG Prius Mileage Difference: Gas with NO ethanol [dkreller] by rick294
May 01, 2009 (2:57 pm)
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Replying to: dkreller (Apr 30, 2009 8:21 am)

In Oregon, we have no choice. Ethanol in everything all year around. It cut about 4 mpg from my 08 Prius, immediately.
#7419 of 7476
Re: Prius: Statement or Rationality? [rick294] by dmathews3
May 01, 2009 (5:45 pm)
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Replying to: rick294 (May 01, 2009 2:55 pm)

Don't worry GM will be around for a long time just a whole lot lighter. Do you realize what would happen to this country if Gm and Chrysler fail. Chrysler stated the other day on the news that one in every 10 people depend on Chrysler for a job in the U.S. That means the local bar, corner store, etc. get Chrysler money somehow if not from suppliers or dealers then from employees or if a warm weather city it could be Chrysler retired. Just think then what GM must input into the econ. In March GM outsold Toyota by over 20K vehicles so someone likes their cars. Anyway for me I'd go with the CTS as with 2 cars a motorhome and motocycle each one gets about 10K a year put on them. So at $2 a gal say the CTS gets 25mpg and the Prius gets 50. The CTS in my book would burn 400 gal. of gas to 200 for the Prius. So the extra 200 gal costs me $400 a year or about $7.70. At $4 per gal it costs me $800 or less than $15 a week. I'll take the CTS over the Prius anytime and as far as the people overseas living in caves etc. they have been fighting for thousands of years and I bet they fight for another 2K years so I'm not going to drive a small car as it isn't going to do a bit of good and plus at 6'4" I need legroom. Oh one more thing I have no desire to get a CTS if thats what you all think.

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