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.

— DinamoR (View Profile)

Posted on 5/19/2009 5:54:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

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 _ _ _ "

— SteedPub (View Profile)

Posted on 5/19/2009 6:01:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Well, I personally care about gas mileage to value. I couldnt afford a new Hybrid, and it was harder for me to get financing on a used one, so I looked at B-Segment cars.

Now, as I have driven Hyundai cars for years before that I looked at the Accent first of course. I kept my options open, looked at, and tested the competitors.

1. The Aveo is a $9,000 car that costs $12,000.

2. The Yaris has the same plastic interior as an Accent yet costs a lot more. Plus it was too weird inside to feel at home, and had less horsepower. A very overrated car indeed!!!

3. The Fit is a great car, but it has the same plastics as the Accent or the Yaris, and the 3 door Accent which costs less had more interior volume at the time, yet it costs more.

4. The Nissan Versa I tested reved 4000 RPMs at 80 MPH!!!! A sign that the Renault motor it had was quite crude. The door handles were wobbly, not a sign of good build quality either. If they cant do the door handles right, what other demons is this car hiding? Otherwise, it had the appearence of a great car, but not enough to get a sale out of me.

5. The KIA Rio has the same parts as the Accent, but a cheaper fit and finish, and a harder suspension. So why does it cost more? Plus, that styling was too weird.

6. The Accent had a price and fuel economy that I liked, after adding options. Then it was tested for 32 City 37 Highway, under the old EPA regulations of testing cars at 55 MPH. 3 off from the Yaris, which at the time had the best non-hybrid gas mileage in America. The city mileage was better than the rest at the time. The look was a little derivative, but I could live with it. The fit and finish considering the materials and price was almost impecakble.

The Engine was a lot more refined than Previous generaiton Hyundais, and it was quieter than the Nissan or Toyota. The Fit and the Accent have about the same interior noise levels.

Thats why I bought the Accent, and at the time it was a $14,000 car for $10,000 (base model). You cant beat that value, and if you dont want that Id suggest the Fit. The rest are overpriced and a waste of money.


My point, some not all people buy gas mileage, to horsepower, to value, first!!! Then consider everything else.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 5/19/2009 6:26:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

and quality as well.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 5/19/2009 6:29:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

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....?

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/19/2009 7:14:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

lol this post looks like a typical Prius forum troll.

— monkeyrun (View Profile)

Posted on 5/19/2009 7:55:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

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.

— SteedPub (View Profile)

Posted on 5/19/2009 8:17:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I created an article today about the psychology of Americans and small cars, but the socilally irresponsible cretons that run Autospies wont allow it I guess.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 5/19/2009 8:34:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

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

— mmm333 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/19/2009 9:10:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

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

— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/19/2009 10:15:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

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

— kiyos (View Profile)

Posted on 5/19/2009 11:00:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Well I remember, when I first stumbled upon this site about 3-4 years ago, and the Buzz then surrounded the Ford Edge, Dodge Nitro, Pontiac G8, and VW R32 cars. No one cared about Fuel Economy then. At the same time everybody was laughing so much at Hyundai/KIA Products it made me sick. As a matter of fact, this and The Truth About Cars were the most anti-Hyundai Racist sites on the web.

Who is laughing now to the bank, and who's sales are not dropping like a stone, guys? Who was right in the beginning about the superior value propositons I advocate for? Who predicted that this Supersize Me, I have 92 Billion credit cards, I have a Big SUV that can fit 75 million people and get 1 MPG, and 94 million timeshares economy was going to collaspe?

Give me my props, please?

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 5/20/2009 2:42:29 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

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.

— sector (View Profile)

Posted on 5/20/2009 3:27:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

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.

— dwatson (View Profile)

Posted on 5/20/2009 4:15:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

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

2011 commander104, I hear KIA will be geting 3 door Rios as well. Hyundai will have the 5 door and they are deciding should KIA just have the Sedan or have a 3 door themselves as wll.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 5/20/2009 10:15:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Just give Al Gore money for Carbon Credits instead.

— vwrules (View Profile)

Posted on 5/21/2009 9:53:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Yay!!! Social Police.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 5/25/2009 4:52:06 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2