Who bought for the Environment?
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I've always wanted to replace my 29 mpg car with one that got at least 45 mpg. That was mostly to do my little part to reduce consumption of foreign oil. An Insight would have been best choice for that reason (alone). But the reduced emissions, and fact I could take 5 people instead of 2 (which isn't often) was a strong reason to choose the Prius.
'Utility' was my #1 reason: Can the car carry a family of four (one infant,) a golden retriever, and a healthy amount of 'gear'? The Prius (with its hatchback) is a winner here. (Over a Civic Hybrid.)
Safety was #2: Is it safer than the average new car? Yes. With additional airbags, and stability control, it's a very safe car.
Environment was #3: We seriously considered a Jetta TDI wagon to fuel with biodiesel, but the difficulty of buying biodiesel was beat by the simplicity of plain old gas in a hybrid. More than enough to balance out the extra 'utility' of carrying capacity in the Jetta wagon. (We may end up getting a used TDI wagon to replace both our Ford Explorer and the small 'commuter car' Hyundai Accent that my wife is driving.)
Financial incentives were #4: This includes mileage, and the fact that the more expensive Prius' insurance is about 50% that of the $10,000 cheaper Hyundai Elantra GT that was also considered a 'finalist'. (The Insight was ruled out at 'utility'.)
Political statement was #5: The Jetta TDI on biodiesel would have been a greater political statement, but there was some consideration. I contemplated a custom license plate of 'NO OPEC', but decided against it because I drive the Prius to appointments, and probably shouldn't piss any customers off.
'Geek-Factor' was #6: If the dealer had been willing to compromise by just $200 more, we would have gotten the top-end package with navigation and Bluetooth; but even the 2004 package 7 we got has plenty of gadgetry for me.
As for other vehicles? Well, if we ever win the lottery, my wife wants a Hummer. I'd insist that she get an H1, and convert it to run on greasel, making it probably the most environmentally friendly Hummer on the planet. (Double-checking, it appears that the linked-to company has already converted at least one Hummer...) And if I won the lottery, I'd also convert a Enzo Ferrari to an electric vehicle, a la the tzero
Safety was #2: Is it safer than the average new car? Yes. With additional airbags, and stability control, it's a very safe car.
Environment was #3: We seriously considered a Jetta TDI wagon to fuel with biodiesel, but the difficulty of buying biodiesel was beat by the simplicity of plain old gas in a hybrid. More than enough to balance out the extra 'utility' of carrying capacity in the Jetta wagon. (We may end up getting a used TDI wagon to replace both our Ford Explorer and the small 'commuter car' Hyundai Accent that my wife is driving.)
Financial incentives were #4: This includes mileage, and the fact that the more expensive Prius' insurance is about 50% that of the $10,000 cheaper Hyundai Elantra GT that was also considered a 'finalist'. (The Insight was ruled out at 'utility'.)
Political statement was #5: The Jetta TDI on biodiesel would have been a greater political statement, but there was some consideration. I contemplated a custom license plate of 'NO OPEC', but decided against it because I drive the Prius to appointments, and probably shouldn't piss any customers off.
'Geek-Factor' was #6: If the dealer had been willing to compromise by just $200 more, we would have gotten the top-end package with navigation and Bluetooth; but even the 2004 package 7 we got has plenty of gadgetry for me.
As for other vehicles? Well, if we ever win the lottery, my wife wants a Hummer. I'd insist that she get an H1, and convert it to run on greasel, making it probably the most environmentally friendly Hummer on the planet. (Double-checking, it appears that the linked-to company has already converted at least one Hummer...) And if I won the lottery, I'd also convert a Enzo Ferrari to an electric vehicle, a la the tzero
I am TOTALLY in sync with MtnTraveler!!
And I also agree with ehurtley's 6 reasons (WITHOUT his own explanations, EXCEPT for #1 & #2). However, for myself, I would swap positions of #3 with #1 (my #1 is the environment).
Also, in my case, besides the $2,000 Federal income deduction, I saved a bonus of about $1,400 of Ct sales tax not collected (full purchase of the Prius is completely exempt of all Ct sales tax charges). Add these bonuses to his/my #4.
Ken (in Bolton,Ct)
And I also agree with ehurtley's 6 reasons (WITHOUT his own explanations, EXCEPT for #1 & #2). However, for myself, I would swap positions of #3 with #1 (my #1 is the environment).
Also, in my case, besides the $2,000 Federal income deduction, I saved a bonus of about $1,400 of Ct sales tax not collected (full purchase of the Prius is completely exempt of all Ct sales tax charges). Add these bonuses to his/my #4.
Ken (in Bolton,Ct)
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My previous car was a 1993 Chevy Lumina equipped with.... ZERO CUP HOLDERS!Thomme said:
Who designs a car with no cup holders?! Really!
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Cupholders... I joke about that quite a bit. I have never had cupholders. My '84 Volvo was cupholderless! Oh well, I don't feel the compelling need to drink anyway. In fact, the whole coffee ritual cracks me up! Anyway if this car ever shows up, I'll have cupholders, electric windows, CD player, and (maybe) everything else that actually *works* instead of being broken.
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Mtn, everything works in mine...And after 3 days, let me tell you...This is a special car!MtnTraveler said:
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Better MPG to me is BETTER for the environment. I do a 1-2 hour commute each way to Los Angeles 5 days a week. My sister's car averages 20 mpg, I'm getting about 50mpg now with my Prius. My BF and I are environment conscious and believe the great emission ratings as well as gasoline consumption (the less used the better) does great things.
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Its 27 Sad that it takes 1.5 hours in the morning and up to 2 hours home sometimes
Sad that it takes 1.5 hours in the morning and up to 2 hours home sometimes
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Reason Number 1: To be able to commute in the HOV lane.
Reason Number 2: Reasonable gas mileage.
Reason Number 3: Actually, only reasons one and two, in that order.
Reason Number 2: Reasonable gas mileage.
Reason Number 3: Actually, only reasons one and two, in that order.
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Me!
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