"I Would Get a Hybrid But . . ."

It’s really interesting. Most Prius owners have heard it one time or another: “I would get a hybrid, but. . .”
Usually, the comment is unsolicited. Because we get it so much, we have become pretty good at explaining most of the concerns away.

. . . they are too expensive compared to other vehicles.

  

A member of the CPG said, "I paid the same for my Prius in 2005 as I paid for my Saturn SC2 in 1996. The Prius is bigger, holds more passengers and more cargo and has more amenities, like a CD player and a navigation screen. The seats are more comfortable and the transmission is smoother than anything I've ever driven. And I have less maintenance so even after I bought it I'm still paying less."

Consider federal tax breaks.  Hopefully, Illinois and Chicago will also offer tax incentives. Also, aside from fuel savings, Hybrids have lower maintenance costs due to fewer brake pad replacement, no power steering fluid, no alternator and super-long-life coolant. Lastly, compare features with the (usually) lower car that they're using.

When comparing other cars to the Prius, it's difficult.  Most other cars in the same cost category do not have features like the Prius. In fact, you have to jump pretty high up the car food chain to get the same features. A fully loaded Prius still costs less than most cars with a comparable set of neat stuff."

  

 

. . . it's still new technology.

  

Hybrid technology was originally patented in the late 1800s. In 1900, there were more electric cars on American roads as there were internal combustion engine vehicles.

Toyota hybrid technology has been around since 1997 and has been through 3 major changes. The current Prius is much faster, more powerful, larger and yet more fuel efficient than the original. Also, taxi companies and police departments are using hybrids in their fleets and taxis are usually subjected to heavy use and any problems will quickly show up.

 

 

. . . Toyota is not an American company.

  

Even though the Prius is made in Japan many of Toyota’s cars are made in America while a large number of American automobile manufacturers' vehicles are manufactured in other countries.  Hopefully, Toyota will move some Prius production to the United States.  They have already started manufacturing the Hybrid Camry alongside the conventional Camry in Georgetown, Kentucky.

Most of the oil consumed in the US is imported, especially from the Middle East and Venezuela.  Your conventional vehicle might be American but your oil and gasoline are not.

  

 

. . . I need to haul things.

  

We have heard some great "hauling" stories from Prius owners, from entire IKEA living room sets to dishwashers.

The rear seats of the Prius fold with a 40/60 split. Additionally, both front seats fold completely backwards opening the interior. With the backseats and the front passenger seat folded, you can lay a stack of 8-foot boards measuring twelve inches wide.

It’s always a good idea to have friends with big trucks. This way, you can let them buy a few hundred gallons of gas year-round while you drive your Prius. On those few days when you really need to haul something, borrow their truck and buy them a case of beer. You’ll save hundreds of dollars year after year.

  

 

. . . hybrid’s are not fast enough.

  

On the low end you have an abnormally large amount of torque available instantly from the electric motor.  Some people don't realize the power of an electric motor.  Most people are surprised when a hybrid beats them off the line.

The Prius has a top speed of 107 MPH.  On the other hand, when sitting in Chicago traffic, that Porsche is going no faster than the hybrid.

The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) of the Prius means that the transmission is always in peak gear. The transmission is never wasting effort in an ineffective gearing. This makes at-speed passing surprisingly easy.

  

 

. . . I want a car with more features.

  

Here is a list of available features in the Prius:

  • Smart Key System - you never need to remove the keys from your pocket or purse

  • Back-up camera

  • Vehicle Stability Control

  • Anti-theft system

  • Auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink® universal transceiver

  • JBL® AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer with nine speakers in seven locations

  • Satellite radio capability

  • MP3/WMA playback capability

  • Auxiliary audio jack

  • Hands-free phone capability via Bluetooth® wireless technology

  • Voice-activated DVD navigation system

  • High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps and integrated fog lamps

  • Leather-trimmed seats and steering wheel

  • 60/40 folding rear seats

  • Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

  • Push-button start/stop

  

 

. . . I want a car with fewer gadgets.

  

Having just read the list of gadgets, this one is a hard argument.  However, the base model Prius has fewer gadgets.  One thing that has gotten a lot of attention is the MultiFunction Display (MFD).  Some people claim that it is distracting.  You can turn the MFD off or simply change its display to something like Audio or A/C.

Besides, at its core, the Prius drives and feels just like any other vehicle. 

 

 

. . . it's ugly.

  

It's true: beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  The Prius was designed for minimum air drag and the shape reflects that effort. 

 

 

. . . all that new technology will break and be expensive to fix.

  

Aside from the good basic warranty and available extended warranty for a reasonable price, a lot of the technological stuff is built to require less maintenance than your average car. For example, there's no transmission, and no starter motor, both of which can become substantial repairs or replacements in a conventional car's lifetime.

  

 

. . . I need a large vehicle for our family.

  

If you are a two-car family, make one of them a hybrid. Though there are many families with a Prius, there are hybrid versions of larger vehicles and SUVs.

  

 

. . . I already have a Civic/Corolla that’s paid for

  

Keep the Civic/Corolla. Congratulations on owning a right-sized, fuel-efficient vehicle.

If you want to improve your mileage even more, flip to the Driving Tips page.