Sigh. Hybrid lies continue to spread
At this point, it seems certain that the old Prius versus Hummer "debate" is never going to die. Despite being proven false, the study continues to pop up every now and then as forum fodder or as ammunition for hybrid-haters all over the globe. It's alright if you don't like hybrids, but real factual data would be much preferable to lies and misconceptions of the truth. The most recent evidence of hybrid-hating comes from an article contained in the latest Autowritiers Newsletter and is penned by Bill Maloney, who cites the oft-debunked CNW Marketing study we mentioned earlier.
A bit of truth rings out from Moloney's column regarding some hybrid purchasers, as some Prius owners admit to basing their buying decisions out of a desire to appear green. It has been argued, and may in fact be true, that many consumers chose the Prius over another hybrid model due to the fact that it is readily recognized as a green choice. Still, to suggest that all hybrids are purchased solely to make a statement is ludicrous, as it is the savings in gasoline that prompt the vast majority of fuel-sipping choices.
[Source: Autowriters.com Newsletter]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Woodenbee 11:30AM (6/14/2008)
Some peoples resistance to change is central to their existence, they only feel safe attacking progress while becoming ever more delusional. They're called Conservatives for that reason, no amount of "facts" or "reality" can dissuade these sad creatures who unwittingly have brought about the best change in America, thanks to their folly and stupendous denial we have been dragged through decades of regressive energy policy and pointless wars for profit, now we are going to have change We can believe in!!!
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James Bowe 12:12PM (6/14/2008)
FNA woody. who cares why people buy the cars they buy? how does a person's motivation change the inherent value of the choice? And what motivates one to buy a hummer? could it be a desire to appear wealthy? so people should be held in contempt for trying to appear green, but held up as a shining example of the beauty of commercialism for attempting to appear wealthy? when you can't win an argument you muddy the waters with nonsense like this instead of staying on message. Maloney's a clown...
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Tim 12:48PM (6/14/2008)
Half-truths are the blackest of lies.
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TheRookie 2:26PM (6/14/2008)
I had my first Prius as a leased vehicle and when lease expired, I just went and bought my own one. The reason is not because I want to look "green" (I hate Greenpeace and not really convinced about GW theory. I don't care much about my Prius being a "statement" or "show-off" vehicle. The major reason why I bought it was purely based on math - the economy is great, the road tax (I am in the UK) is very low and this is one of very few (if any) economical automatic cars in this segment. The level of standard equipment is very high compared to similar-sized cars in this price segment (I've got TSpirit model). A perfect combination for me.
And as to the whole Conservatives vs Liberal thing - I am Tory supporter. :)
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stevefazek 3:04PM (6/14/2008)
Funny a Prius and a Matrix are about the same size, can carry the same number of people and crap the same ammenties and the price difference comes out to less than 2,000 dollars if you add a auto to the matrix.
SO lets take the matrix,
it gets 30MPG, average driver really does reach 15k a year so 15,000/30=500gallons*4 a gallon= $2000 a year in fuel.
Prius gets 45 Highway.
15,000/45=333 gallons*4 a gallon =$1332
So thats 3 years until you start saving money.
If investment bankers have their way gas will be 5-6 bucks a gallon in the next 18 months
if gas does hit 6 its going to be less than 2 years before the prius pays for its self
in countries where its 10 bucks a gallon its 14 months.
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stevefazek 4:03PM (6/14/2008)
call him up and let him know what you think of his BS.
BG Maloney
(808) 947-7240
1650 Ala Moana Blvd,
Honolulu, HI 96815
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Luke 8:20PM (6/14/2008)
I love when people compare expensive cars, or cars of similar value to the Prius. How else can the Pruis "pay for itself"? LOL!
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stevefazek 8:58PM (6/14/2008)
the matrix and prius are both compact 5 seater Hatchbacks with similar weight, wheel base and overall length. What else should it be compared it?
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Mark 12:36AM (6/15/2008)
The worst thing is to see that while the world is breaking apart, some car brands haven't got real and still keep producing gas guzzlers cars using V8s (be it luxury or not). They're daydreaming with the golden days when gas cost 4 a tank not a gallon. Change pride and stile for survival and go from point A to B in a four cilinder...
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Derek 6:47AM (6/16/2008)
Mark, the only major car brands I can think of without a V8 are Honda and Kia. The industry makes V8's because they still sell. Not as much as before, but plenty of people still want the bigger engine. Of course, many V6's don't get much better mileage than their V8 counterparts anyways.
The truth is, $4/g gas isn't that expensive in the big view. We are just spoiled rotten from having paid such dirt cheap prices for gas over the last few years. I still drive a 1970 Cadillac about once a week. 10mpg on premium gas isn't the most economical way to get around, but it is just a nice car to drive and that 472cid motor really moves. The cost is completely worth it :)
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Chris 7:49AM (6/16/2008)
Buying a hybrid to save gas is really silly. Essentially its one of those great marketing schemes, they take money out of your right pocket and put in your left, yet if you were to check there isn't as much in the left pocket
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jesda 8:26AM (6/16/2008)
Great. Let me know when a Prius can tow a boat.
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Peter 10:08AM (6/16/2008)
"I love when people compare expensive cars,or cars of similar value to the Prius."
The matrix is an expensive car?? The matrix is shorter, has a shorter wheelbase, has much less standard equipment and a cheaper price. If anything this is stacking the deck against the Prius. The Prius sits between the matrix and Camry. Comparing to the matrix is more than fair.
Besides this whole notion of it must "pay for itself" is silly. If this were a valid argument, everyone in the world should be driving a TATA Nano.
Even if the Prius didn't "pay for itself", it still is a very nice car than about a million people are very happy with.
Getting 40mpg just feels nice even if you pay a premium for it. Having a super long cruising range is something I also would like.
I don't have or plan on getting a Prius, but I find the bashers sad and small minded.
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Jon 10:44AM (6/16/2008)
No one ever mentions that the ultimate source of the survey finding that Prius owners buy them to look green and impress people with their virtue is . . . wait for it . . . CNW Marketing. Yup. The very same people that released the study claiming that Hummers are better for the environment. Not much of an agenda there, eh?
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brn 1:13PM (6/16/2008)
"the matrix and prius are both compact 5 seater Hatchbacks with similar weight, wheel base and overall length. What else should it be compared it?"
Perhaps the Yaris? They're very similar products, except for the Hybrid portion and the $10K price difference. I'm not reworking all of your math, but if it takes 3yrs to make up a $2K difference, it takes 15yrs to make up a $10K difference. Yikes!
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kballs 2:03PM (6/16/2008)
Who cares? The hybrid vs hummer debate will soon be completely forgotten anyway. Gas isn't getting cheaper, and the few morons who think a gas guzzler is greener ARE ALREADY crying every time they fill their tank. Their next car isn't going to be a "green" hummer (even if you can still buy one in a few years).
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Peter 2:44PM (6/16/2008)
"Perhaps the Yaris? "
Perhaps a Cadillac Escalade? Gee look the Prius starts out miles ahead and gets further ahead as time goes forward.
Or perhaps it makes no sense at all to compare cars in completely different size class(yaris). The Matrix is already smaller than the Prius. So it is already a downsized comparison, there is no point to compare to an even smaller Yaris compact car unless you just want to make it completely unfair (normal for hybrid haters).
When doing a comparison it is quite normal to compare cars of the same class. As is the Matrix is the closest smaller car, the Camry the closest larger car. Compare to either and it does very well, even if TCO is your only criteria. Then factors kick in that are more intangible.
Filling up infrequently for cheap is something that makes a lot of people happy even if it isn't the most economical choice( as in a pure EV).
I get the same feeling because I moved walking distance to work. It is a priceless feeling being minimally impacted by the Oil Industry. I now laugh when Gas prices go up. That is truly priceless.
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stevefazek 7:37PM (6/16/2008)
I think the Matrix to the Prius is totally fair. They both have roughly the same room. The prius tops out in cargo space in the back but for passengers its the same.
Prius a bit more head room not much.
If any idiot will compare it to a Yaris Get inside both cars and try telling me that.
Try to keep all dimensions within a few inches. The matrix 102 inches prius 106.
Prius weight 2900 lbs
Matrix weight 3100 lbs
Price with in 2 grand.
I love how people tow their boat. When i tow my 17 whaler i freaking use a subaru wagon.
1200lbs for the boat, 300 for the motor, 400 for the trailor and my car handles it just fine.
Just to sound like smug jerk, I keep my boat at my parents house on the their dock.
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CJC 7:57PM (6/16/2008)
What is wrong with "making a statement" being a main motivation for buying a Prius? Statements can be very positive.
Case in point: when my friend's super-hot, fashionable, and very smart wife surprisingly started driving her Prius here in otherwise conservative Orange County, so did six of her hot friends (including my wife). That may not have been the case if we were talking about a "non-statement" vehicle.
I don't even know how many others she may have influenced in the year she's had it (did I mention she's HOT?), but I do know I'll be buying a Hybrid as well when the lease on my A6 expires. If she can bother to lessen her carbon footprint, then so can I.
I think she made a fine statement.
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tinymalone 3:18AM (6/17/2008)
Looks like a Toyota dealer is say much the same thing:
http://centennialtoyota.com/HybridAlternative.cfm
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