Intimidating Drivers

[MossRoad]

I will give this one to you, except its not a true transmission with a gas engine driving the wheels.

HS

I never said it was a true transmission, so thats real gracious of you. :laughing:

I know how it operates because I read how it operates before I posted comments about how it operates, rather than spread incorrect information as you did. Something you might want to consider in your comments about the Prius, too.

 

[troutsqueezer]

As MossRoad probably knows, it's a continuously variable transmission which means the engine only operates at its most efficient rpm's. It doesn't wind out the engine rpm before shifting gears, a good thing. People in the tractor world can appreciate this. They also should appreciate the fact that an idling engine has a shorter life span and produces more hydrocarbons (if I remember correctly) which is why the Prius engine shuts off when the car is at a standstill.

 

[houstonscott]

Modern transmissions all work that way, Prius was 10 years late to that party.


HS

 

[Bird]

I don't see what difference this discussion makes.:laughing: I've always known that most (not all, but certainly most) automobile purchases are based more on emotion than logic. And I don't know that there's anything wrong with that. You buy the one you like that you can afford. It doesn't really matter whether it's the one that gets the best mileage, lasts longest, has the highest resale value, best performance, etc., etc.

 

[troutsqueezer]

I don't see what difference this discussion makes.:laughing: I've always known that most (not all, but certainly most) automobile purchases are based more on emotion than logic. And I don't know that there's anything wrong with that. You buy the one you like that you can afford. It doesn't really matter whether it's the one that gets the best mileage, lasts longest, has the highest resale value, best performance, etc., etc.

Emotion perhaps but more of an image thing, I think. Most people visualize how they might look when they are seen driving a particular vehicle and that motivates the purchase. A need to be perceived as tough, intimidating, smart, cute or what-have-you dictates the vehicle that gets purchased. I don't deny that some Prius drivers fall into one of those categories, they're only human. To pigeon-hole all Prius drivers into any one category only shows ignorance.

I stated previously the reasons why I bought one, not the least of which is the fact my wife wanted one. My reasons had absolutely nothing to do with self-image and everything to do with fascination of all things technical.

Most discussions on here don't make a hill of a difference, right, Bird? :thumbsup: I never meant to defend the Prius in this thread. It does that well enough on its own, evidenced by the sales numbers and the migration to hybrid technology by all the major players.

 

[jerrybob]

Dave1949 has it right. Prius, while not perfect, was an important stepping stone on the path to finding new ways to build motor vehicles. That is another reason I bought one, I wanted to port some of my money over to a company like Toyota which has the gumption to try something groundbreaking than to keep giving it to big oil.

I know many people who drive one. They're all nice folks.

They should have called it something different.....like the Toyota High Mileage Stud......people would than be intimidated and not try to run folks off the road.

 

[bcp]

From:
Looking to Avoid Aggressive Drivers? Check Those Bumpers. - Washington Post

Drivers of cars with bumper stickers, window decals, personalized license plates and other "territorial markers" not only get mad when someone cuts in their lane or is slow to respond to a changed traffic light, but they are far more likely than those who do not personalize their cars to use their vehicles to express rage -- by honking, tailgating and other aggressive behavior.

 

[Bird]

And how many believe this?:laughing:

Study: BMW drivers are the worst « Bankrate, Inc.

 

[MossRoad]

I don't see what difference this discussion makes.:laughing: I've always known that most (not all, but certainly most) automobile purchases are based more on emotion than logic. And I don't know that there's anything wrong with that. You buy the one you like that you can afford. It doesn't really matter whether it's the one that gets the best mileage, lasts longest, has the highest resale value, best performance, etc., etc.

You are correct. :thumbsup:

 

[MossRoad]

They should have called it something different.....like the Toyota High Mileage Stud......people would than be intimidated and not try to run folks off the road.

Or at least hang some of those fake bull parts on the rear bumper.