Think The Main Reason People Buy The Prius Is For It's Gas Mileage? Think Again. 'ECO' Car Or An 'EGO' Car?

It's probaby both. People like to feel they are at least making a difference, and saving money on gas helps as well. Saying that hundreds of thousands of people bought the car not because it gets 45mpg but for an ego boost, is flat out idiotic.

we live in a world with a skyrocketing population and skyrocketing use of resources and pollution. The pacific ocean has a garbage patch of mostly plastic that is TWICE the size of Texas. The "masses" care about the future, so yeah, they like the feeling of making at least some difference.

I like the way South Park said it the "Pious"

The Pious destroys the enviroment with the unregulated production of batteries. Not to mention how unsafe it is.

It's all about shouting to the world, "Look at me, I care about the planet more than you! Look at me, I am smart!"

What it really says is, "Look at me I am a great big _ _ _ "

People have bought into the trap of "feeling" like they are smart or like in high school, "I'm in with the in crowd" (that was me, but I digress). Toyota has used this marketing trick to their advantage. It's like my kid goes to this school, etc. But most can afford this dust-buster but not all WANT it. That is the beauty of choice. At first, to be socially conscious, you would have to be into saving the whales. Then, saving every kid on the African continent. After that, AIDS was running us into the ground, so we had to send Billions to some organization that doesn't exist today, and guess what, we don't care because we've moved on too... saving dolphins from the evil Japanese, and after that, the rain forest followed by freeing Tibet. Now we can drive to the forest in our hybrid, plant some trees, and go home as to look at what is the "Newest feel-good" trick.

People, wake up.

let me know when the accent is available as a 5 door hatch

it's a political statement first and foremost. look at ME!! i'm so good and green.

there are DOZENS of cars that get better gas mileage, but the poseurs don't buy those. wonder why....?

lol this post looks like a typical Prius forum troll.

At least it makes it easier to judge people. Most of the time when you see a Prius, you know what kind of person is behind the wheel. It is always good to have a scarlet letter on the fools among you - especially when they are clueless to it.

People in New-York buy them to drive alone in HOV lane...

BMW has been doing it for years! "Think I will go lease a 328 for $399/mo so people will think I am something"

Which really sums up the debate.

Buying an S-Class to say "look at me while I get 12 miles per gallon!" is perfectly fine.

However buying a Prius for any reason is just unacceptable!

i keep looking for 001 link to back up his argument, i don't see one, maybe its just his opinion?

I am so sure people are buying 128i's because they need a compact car
I am so sure people buying BMWs don't do it for their ego either.

why is Autospies so intent on bashing people lately? why can't we just enjoy the fact we are all here cause love and breathe automobiles? this like so team Joile vs team Anniston

Here's one link but there are many...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12523027

You doubt me?

001

no...they're buying a 128i because IT"S SO MUCH FUN TO DRIVE IT. handling, relative power, braking, supple ride, and did i mention just plain old FUN. and all for $30,000. yahoo!

You doubt me?

001



Always.

HyundaiSmoke, we are not worthy...

of something we haven't figured out yet.

Thanks for hanging in there though. it can be challenging as you can see. I don't think people are racist against Hyundai because it Korean owned, people have been skeptical and rightfully so because they use to make shit for cars. Times have changed and so has Hyundai/Kia for the better. For the most part, can we find the Hyundai Rodney King was driving when beaten down? Those cars didn't have then longevity the newer models will have.

remember I7, those old hyundais were actually made from left over mitsubishi parts.

R.I.P. 95 elantra (wish I could afford a touring)

Bumper sticker:
"I have no money, I'm married"

So what so bad about showing that you care about environment?

the real megalomaniacs are the saps who drive bimmers and mercs, trying so hard to show their "supposed" wealth, now that's a sad story.

Look, white every car's "brand image" is one of the top reasons why someone chooses a certain car over another, Prius drivers stand out from the crowd.

People buy an S Class to say, "I'm the big dog around here". People buy a BMW to say, "I'm sporty and sophisticated," and people buy a Lexus to say, "I hate driving but this feels like my couch with wheels." These decisions shape how we drive too–no question.

HOWEVER-
Prius drivers should have stickers on the side that say, "SOCIAL POLICE". Just last night, I was driving my M3 here on a local LA freeway and a prius sped up just so I wouldn't pass him. Priuses often stay in the left lane going the speed limit to control the masses. I'm sick of it. I can't even have an occasional cigarette in my car without a lady Prius driver with a sassy short haircut scoffing me at the notion of me smoking–alone.

That is my rant of the day.

sorry, should read "Look, while every car's...."

Just give Al Gore money for Carbon Credits instead.