I did not buy a hybrid for the "savings", or the price.
I bout it because I was challenged when I drove it. I was fascinated by the technology, the instrumentation, the challenge. The new experience.
"I just felt like it" is no longer a choice?
"You just felt like it" is a fine choice. But that's not their advertising push. Their push is that it'll help the environment and save you money, if those claims are invalid then the reasons they give to buy their cars are lies. If the focus of the advertising was the geewhiz factor (like the Mazda inverted piston thing... whatever happened to that car anyway) all this other stuff would be a non-issue, but they made other claims, claims which (inspite of the headline) are proving a little sketchy.
I understand your motivation, similar to a sports car buyer. However, the entire hybrid marketing plan is sell them to consumers with the promise of fuel economy. This they really don't do. It is similar to the CAFE standards that required manufacturers to boost fuel economy. The first thing they did was to remove as much weight from the vehicles. This meant thinner, lighter windshields. The result of saving a gallon or two a year with the light windshield does not cover the annual replacement cost of the windshield. Penny wise, dollar short.
Sure it is...just dont expect others to have to share the motive. Not saying you do but you knw as well as I do that there are people who think everyone should drive them. I think eveyone should drive what they want to drive...including you driving a hybrid if you want. more power to you.
The Chinese really appreciate you doing your part to make oil cheaper for them.
I'm cancelling out several greenies by building my 409 Chevy to 480 cubic inches, a nice lumpy Crane cam, and two brand new Carter 600 cfm four barrels. I figure to get about 8mpg when I have some fun per gallon with it.
Challenged? Don't these things usually pretty much drive themselves (automatic, etc.) and have a econobox suspension setup? I can see getting one for the fascination and instrumentation aspect, but I can't see a challenge in driving one.
Then you should get a '52 Nash. The turning radius is horrificly different and interesting, and unique. Plus, its a "new" experience and the resale value is very, very good.
It must keep coming up just to get the proper info out there. MANY on this board are convinced the Prius only gets 35 mpg and costs thousands more to own because of false information that has been spread.
I'm not saying anyone has to buy one for savings or price - but people deserve to know the truth. The savings may be negligible, but lets stop the false bashing about costing more, extremely poor mileage, and battery failure/cost, agreed?
And "I just felt like it" is a perfectly acceptable choice.
It's the best reason of all. Enjoy your Prius...
Admit it, you bought it for the same reason my former pastor did. You get to brag about getting twice the gas mileage that everyone else is getting.
I bought my Miata so I could brag about having twice the fun driving than everyone else has.
Of course it is no longer a choice...don't you know that you've probably been influenced by something.
You proved Lincoln right; "you can fool some of the people all of the time".
Good for you! At least you aren't doing it to "make a political statement" or "be cool."
There's a whole contingent of people where I work who drive a Prius to be PC. They are really annoying, self-important jerks.