What Person In Their Right Mind Is Going To Buy A $60K Toyota Mirai As A Daily Driver?

And Toyota hopes you make that connection, too.

But there are a couple things one can pick apart about the belief that the Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell car, on sale or lease in fourth-quarter 2015 in California, can replicate the success of the Prius gas-electric hybrid.

For starters, the Prius didn’t cost nearly $60,000 when it came out, not even adjusted for inflation (the ’00 model’s starting price was $19,995 or $27,570 in 2014 dollars).

Also, it ran on regular unleaded gasoline, available at more than 100,000 fueling stations nationwide.

TheSteve - 12/18/2014 4:39:45 PM

+2 Boost

Perhaps celebrities who want to make a statement: "Look at me. I'm saving the planet. Hybrid. Electric car. Greenhouse gasses. Global warming."

Anyone who's old enough to have lived in the 1980s will remember the joke about what would happen if Apple built cars... you'd only be able to fuel up at Apple filling stations ;-) Well, that joke has come true, in effect, with hydrogen-powered cars looking for hydrogen filling stations.

Not ready for prime-time, that's for sure.

chewy - 12/18/2014 9:42:14 PM

+1 Boost

Idk. Why would any celebrity (or anyone with that kind of money) buy it over a Tesla? The only reason I can think of is that you want exclusivity or you really like Toyota and/or financially tied to Toyota. This thing is bulky looking and I think it's not that roomy inside from what I could glance in.

TheSteve - 12/19/2014 12:34:26 AM

+1 Boost

Chewy asks, "...Why would any celebrity (or anyone with that kind of money) buy it over a Tesla?..."

Because "Hydrogen" is a buzzword, and like Spinal Tap's guitar amps that are better because "they go to 11", embracing the latest buzzword makes you better, 'cuz you're a true, state-of-the-art planet saver rather being one of those "so last decade", lame-ass, has-been, plug-in planet savers.

Never underestimate the power of the buzzword and being part of "the future"!

MDarringer - 12/18/2014 5:27:55 PM

+1 Boost

Early adopter idiots will. Hydrogen MIGHT be viable in 25 years, but currently the paucity of infrastructure and cold weather uselessness makes them toys for rich idiots.

scenicbyway12 - 12/18/2014 6:59:06 PM

+1 Boost

"What Person In Their Right Mind Is Going To Buy A $60K Toyota Mirai As A Daily Driver?"

I was asking myself the same question, except I left out daily driver.

DavidA - 12/18/2014 8:18:19 PM

+1 Boost

Does anyone like Toyota/Lexus styling? I don't care if this thing is powered by styrofoam peanuts, I can't see myself buying one, or for that matter, any Toyota/Lexus product.

MDarringer - 12/18/2014 9:19:03 PM

+1 Boost

I agree. The ugly styling is uncalled for. The Tesla's attractive, Fusion-esque look proves handsome is chic.

Dexter1 - 12/18/2014 10:33:48 PM

+1 Boost

A blind person with too much money?

iamdabest1 - 12/18/2014 11:44:33 PM

+1 Boost

unless this car does the nurburgring in 5 minutes flat, no thanks... yea - its that ugly

leej - 12/19/2014 7:53:47 AM

+2 Boost

As is evidenced by the number of people who shoot each other in this country each day, there are plenty of people not in their right mind. If people 'not in their right mind' are the targeted demographic, they will sell very well indeed.

skytop - 12/19/2014 8:33:45 AM

+1 Boost

A Toyotaholic will buy it.

mpls - 12/19/2014 9:32:18 AM

+2 Boost

Needs the massive air vents to suck in the oxygen for reaction with the Hydrogen

drkvenger - 12/20/2014 6:19:52 PM

+1 Boost

They're only early idiot adopters because they're buying an Asian brand. When the Europeans make one, it will cost at least $100K.