Why we shouldn't hate the Prius

It gets great gas mileage.

You can pick up a reliable used one for $5k

It uses the same type of technology as a LaFerrari, P1, or 918.

All the smug Prius owners are smug Volt/Leaf/Tesla owners now.

It has tons of cargo space.

It has a digital dash!

You have a cool screen that shows what the hybrid system is doing.

The electric motor gives it good off-the-line torque.

You can comfortably fit 5 people in one.

It just needs stickier tires and lowering springs to handle quite well.

The shifter comes out of the dash!

With all these reasons to actually like the Prius, why do so many people still dislike them?

I don't dislike them, in fact we are probably buying one by the end of the month.

It's a Prius.

Even though it's capable of going well over the posted speed limit, owners seem to feel that it's necessary to be at or under the limit, in the far left lane whenever possible.

Trans_Maro wrote: It's a Prius. Even though it's capable of going well over the posted speed limit, owners seem to feel that it's necessary to be at or under the limit, in the far left lane whenever possible.

Is that sort of like how BMW owners are portrayed as shiny happy people who weave in and out of traffic, while tailgating and talking on their phone?

In reply to G_Body_Man:

That's a fact! One experienced by me today!

To answer the thread- it's a sloth, doesn't get amazing mileage unless you live downtown and stay within that area (no on ever does that) and while the uninformed ppl will say "it's the best of both worlds" they forget that in order to have the best of both worlds, you also will, at the same time, have the WORST of both worlds.

Meh. Prius owners save gas so I don't have to.

Right now, my car buying decision is split between a Scion iM and a 1-year-old Prius. Same money. The Scion is more sporty and has a stick shift. The Prius is more sedate and has an automatic. The Scion averages 31mpg and the Prius gets 50. Dimensionally, they are very similar.

It's a toss up right now.

Prius = makes bad drivers easy to spot.

The other nice thing about them is they are easy fodder for humor, like the license frame on my Lightning.

I'm a petrolhead. The IC engine is what I love. The Prius and its ilk offer nothing in sound or feel that turns me on. Fancy digital dash displays and a body shape that reminds me of a horseshoe crab are additional turn-offs.

Some people like them. Some people like fat chicks. I don't understand the appeal of either but if that's your thing, thanks for leaving one more V8 car and one more skinny chick for me.

G_Body_Man wrote: With all these reasons to actually like the Prius, why do so many people still dislike them?

at first it was the jacka$$y owners attitude towards everyone else … now shrug …

EvanR wrote: The Scion averages 31mpg and the Prius gets 50. Dimensionally, they are very similar. It's a toss up right now.

when driven in town … don't think it gets quite that much when running along at 75 - 80 out on the highway

I like the idea of a Prius and the technology in a Prius. I've never driven or even ridden in one though. A friend of mine owns one and loves it, but cars to him are just things to sit in to get you from home to work.

I rally crossed a 01 and it hung right with a 1 Gen rx7. I averaged 17 mpg for the event.

I think a lot of the "hate" from the general public stems from ignorance about hybrids in general.

Personally, the Prius doesn't ring my bell but it IS a perfectly acceptable soulless driving appliance.

Once I pay off the Mazda, I'd entertain the idea of a used one to subject to the boring commute and pup-hauling duties.

It pushes no buttons and it won't do what I need a vehicle to do.

Does that mean I hate it? No, at least no more than I hate a toaster that burns toast, or a microwave that doesn't heat. It's an appliance, nothing more nothing less. I'm sure that it will have a cult following in 20 years.

Trans_Maro wrote: It's a Prius. Even though it's capable of going well over the posted speed limit, owners seem to feel that it's necessary to be at or under the limit, in the far left lane whenever possible.

You live no where near the DC metro area do you?

Priuses are some of the most aggressive driven cars on the road here. Ms Service and I nicked named the road the Prius Cup.

If you have someone riding your ass and then blowing by you at the first opportunity, it is usually a Prius.

The reason I don't like a Prius is they drive like E36 M3. No other reason.

If I had to go back to commuting for work, I'd own one in a heartbeat. Sure it's boring, but a daily driver/commuter doesn't have to be exciting.

Four door, front wheel drive, automatic something transmission and the association with Ann Arbor shiny happy people.... I would rather walk.

If they made a rwd two door GT I would take a second look.

We were doing burnouts in my buddy's the other day, here's how

http://priuschat.com/threads/disabling-traction-control.99926/

fujioko wrote: If they made a rwd two door GT I would take a second look.

I rather agree with that. No one makes a sporty or even sportyish eco weeny vehicle, besides Tesla.

An electric or hybrid Miata or similar ilk might be quite marketable.

I think the stereotypes are silly. Far as I can tell, it is a reliable, economical car.

Is it true you can make one handle well?

shifter out of dash = dumbest thing ever. enough reason to hate. i don't hate though, i just laugh thinking about the south park prius episode.

patgizz wrote: shifter out of dash = dumbest thing ever. enough reason to hate. i don't hate though, i just laugh thinking about the south park prius episode.

Last taxi I was in had it out of a center console.

It's not the technology of the Prius that I abhor, but rather the politics.

Flight Service wrote:

Trans_Maro wrote: It's a Prius. Even though it's capable of going well over the posted speed limit, owners seem to feel that it's necessary to be at or under the limit, in the far left lane whenever possible.

You live no where near the DC metro area do you? Priuses are some of the most aggressive driven cars on the road here. Ms Service and I nicked named the road the Prius Cup. If you have someone riding your ass and then blowing by you at the first opportunity, it is usually a Prius. The reason I don't like a Prius is they drive like E36 M3. No other reason.

This has been my experience as well.

I don't dislike the car - I dislike how it's operated. When the drivers stay in the right lane, I have no issue with it. As others said, it's a different story when they're in the middle lanes going 10 mph slower than everyone else. When you're being passed on the right by 18-wheelers, get a clue.