Finally, a Prius in the Driveway!
Posted by Chad Norman May 8th, 2008 .
When it comes to going green, our family’s mantra has always been “Do What We Can, When We Can.” To that end, a couple weeks ago the stars aligned and guided a 2008 Toyata Prius into our lives. We couldn’t be happier.
Over the last few years, I’ve spoken with many Prius owners about the car, and a pattern emerged. There was very little talk about saving money on fuel, despite the seemingly unstoppable surge in gas prices we are seeing. Instead, people bought them because it was simply the right thing to do. Skeptics often say that the savings in gas will never pay for the car, but this isn’t an exercise in ROI; it’s a chance to make a good choice for the planet…and I’ll pay for that.
Yes, I’m happy about the lower emissions, but that’s certainly not the whole story. One of the most effective ways to create social change is to vote with your wallet, and buying a Prius does that in a big way. The hybrid system is so amazing, and I really don’t understand why Detroit can’t seem to figure this out. Sure, they are “trying”, but a $50,000 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid that only gets 14/20 mpg is both laughable and embarrassing. Clearly they aren’t trying hard enough.
Along with doing the right thing comes setting an example, and that was certainly part of my motivation. I agree with Mary Gatch, who was quoted in this Treehugger.com post (you go girl!) describing the satisfaction of having people ask her about Prius. I like this as well, but not as much as I like having my two boys ask me about it. Influencing them means a lot to me, and I’m already imagining them telling their college friends about all the kooky green stuff we made them do growing up. But you know what, that stuff will stick, and their generation will see things differently…and that should be reason enough for all of us all to get hybrids.
So, if you have a chance to get a Prius, jump! And if enough of us jump, mother nature will certainly notice (and maybe Detroit will too).
8 Responses to “Finally, a Prius in the Driveway!”
- 1 Pingback on Jul 10th, 2008 at 10:40 am
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Congrats,
I would like to point something out for those not in the position of being able to buy a new car. If you are used car shopping, go for the highest fuel efficiency in your price range. For us, it was an ‘02 Toyota. We have to fit three car seats in the back, so compact was and will be out of the question for quite some time.
I think the message may getting out with other consumer trends as well. For example, the resale value of a Geo Metro has been steadily climbing
Chad–
Way to go!! You guys really have it together with your “do what you can when you can” motto. I commend you for buying a Prius for ALL the right reasons. Toyota has been leading the industry in fuel efficiency. They deserve our support. GM is insulting us with the “green car of 2007″. They are cutting pensions, laying off workers by the thousands, dropping pay rates, and encouraging voracious oil consumption. They should be ashamed of themselves. Your kids can brag about you as they get older. You guys rock. Spread the word. Less gas means a stronger economy, a safer nation, and a cleaner world.
Josh
Congratulations on the Prius. I’ve driven a few of them and they drive well and have god power despite the smaller and more efficient engine system.
My next car is likely to be a Prius…but not until I can afford a new car, and that’ll be a while.
I wish the prices of these hybrids would come down. That would be a big help and would get a lot more people driving them, especially considering the price of gas. It’s a shame that the lowest-priced cars AREN’T hybrids.
Congratulations. I’d be interested in a follow up review after you’ve been driving it for a while.
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I’ll certainly give a review after a couple tanks (I still haven’t filled up!) Though, I have a feeling the review is going to be good…I’m absolutely loving it!
My buddy and I just returned from a mini-holiday trip to Asheville, NC. This was the first time his 2-year old Prius has been out of the Lowcountry. From sea level to 6,000 feet was an excellent opportunity to test the highly vaunted fuel economy.
The Prius averaged 51.3mpg and easily handled 7% and 9% grades.
He did discover why there was a “B” setting on the gear shift as we came down mountainous switch backs. We had really not even noticed it driving around this area since 2006.
Remember, coming down hill, the car was on electric providing 99.9 mpg so it was important to find an alternative to the brake pedal. The car manual was in the glove box and explained how to “use a lower gear.”
Saw the Prius was very popular in that mountain community.
Chucker
Setting an example with a Prius? Should be on stuffwhitepeoplelike.