Confessions of a Prius owner
08-27-2009, 03:36 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Confessions of a Prius owner
<Steps up to the podium and hangs his head in shame>
My name is Dave and I was a Toyota Prius owner for owner for one month. It's been 2 days since I last drove a Prius.
<Audience answers "Hello, Dave">
In the third week of July, I took delivery of a brand new 2010 Toyota Prius after doing weeks of research and test driving them. I thought the Prius was a great idea, practical, and that being a techie I would love the gadgetry of it.
My first few hits of Prius were great, I enjoyed watching all the displays telling me every nano-second what my mileage was, and how the combustion engine and electric motor were switching back and forth. I was thrilled watching the displays trade back and forth and changing between all of the driver information.
Then something happened a few days later...I looked up, I looked at the road around me, and I listened to the car and experienced everything around me. I realized at some point that I wasn't actually driving the car, but rather I was its guest, sending mild suggestions of how I'd like it to behave and then at some point later, the car might incorporate those into its own plans. I was a mindless drone stuck in a automobile coffin. I realized that bicycles, small children with dogs, and little old ladies with walkers were passing me. I realized that with my nose buried in the MPG display I had become that obstacle that I used to hate on the road messing up the traffic flow.
I knew I had to get out, that I had sold my car loving soul to a devil car with no soul itself and do something before I was lost. I had to go cold turkey, no 2 ways about it. I didn't tell the Prius-spawn, but I secretly began plotting its demise behind its back.
So I looked at a 2010 Camaro SS. Enamored by the body style, and LS3 engine I thought it might be the car for me. I test drove one - it flew away like a rocket, but then something came up that killed my desire - It's called a corner. When I stopped, I spent some time in the interior of the Camaro. Ever door I closed, every interior panel and switch I touched reminded me of everything bad about my '92 Camaro. The only thing it was missing was the leaky T-tops. Even though I knew it wasn't the car for me, it made one thing certain; I had to get out of the Prius.
So I went back to my childhood. I asked myself, what's the one car I wanted ever since I was a kid? What's the car that I used to build Revell models of when I was little and spend hours painting and dreaming of driving? That car, of course is the Chevrolet Corvette.
I came to Corvette Forum looking for help. I looked around a little, spent many hours reading, and made my first post saying I was looking for a low mileage C6. Like Norm walking into Cheers, I was welcomed in and given many tips on finding that perfect car.
One of those cars was Frank's - A garage lift kept beauty with 11,000 miles on it, tastefully upgraded with a Corsa Extreme exhaust, Melrose headers, and much more. I set an appointment to check it out.
On a crisp Chicago Sunday afternoon last weekend, I went to Frank's home to check out the car. The outside was immaculate, as was the interior. After explaining everything about the car, and all the upgrades this car had done to it, I knew this car had been cared for.
Then he started it. The sound of that exhaust burbling struck a chord deep inside and I knew I had to drive it. We dropped the top (it was 70 and sunny afterall), and went out for a spin. I had a sneaking suspicion that I knew how this was going to end.
We pulled out of the subdivision, and Frank hit the gas - just a little. I think a little pee came out. Immediately my lips curled into the biggest grin ever - and stayed that way until late that night. We switched drivers, I looked out through the HUD and put my foot on the gas for the first time - and it went. It really went.
After taking the car back and discussing a few details, I thanked Frank for his time after agreeing on the details and drove home. I called my wife on the way and said I am buying this car - I have to have it.
To make a long story short, 2 days later I sold the Prius back. It had 350 miles on it. It was still on the dealer's first tank of gas. Sure, I took a bath on it, but I asked myself, what is the price of driving a car that I hate? Therapy can be expensive, but I needed treatment or my affliction it would only get worse.
Today I bought the Corvette and am now driving it. I plan to detail the heck out of it this weekend, the full Zaino treatment and love every minute of it. Conversely, trust me when I tell you nothing sucks like waxing a Prius. For me there was no joy in it. I've heard it said that the Prius is "The perfect car for people that hate cars" and now I know exactly what they mean, and they are absolutely right. The problem is I am a car lover. I will now say to all who will listen that “The Prius is the worst car ever for people who love cars”.
So, thanks for letting me share my story. The act of getting it out there has helped me heal. Keep an eye out for your friends, family and children, and if they are car lovers, warn them away from the Prius. Step in and intervene if you have too, but don’t let them go down the path that I did.
My name is Dave and I've been driving a Corvette for one day...
My name is Dave and I was a Toyota Prius owner for owner for one month. It's been 2 days since I last drove a Prius.
<Audience answers "Hello, Dave">
In the third week of July, I took delivery of a brand new 2010 Toyota Prius after doing weeks of research and test driving them. I thought the Prius was a great idea, practical, and that being a techie I would love the gadgetry of it.
My first few hits of Prius were great, I enjoyed watching all the displays telling me every nano-second what my mileage was, and how the combustion engine and electric motor were switching back and forth. I was thrilled watching the displays trade back and forth and changing between all of the driver information.
Then something happened a few days later...I looked up, I looked at the road around me, and I listened to the car and experienced everything around me. I realized at some point that I wasn't actually driving the car, but rather I was its guest, sending mild suggestions of how I'd like it to behave and then at some point later, the car might incorporate those into its own plans. I was a mindless drone stuck in a automobile coffin. I realized that bicycles, small children with dogs, and little old ladies with walkers were passing me. I realized that with my nose buried in the MPG display I had become that obstacle that I used to hate on the road messing up the traffic flow.
I knew I had to get out, that I had sold my car loving soul to a devil car with no soul itself and do something before I was lost. I had to go cold turkey, no 2 ways about it. I didn't tell the Prius-spawn, but I secretly began plotting its demise behind its back.
So I looked at a 2010 Camaro SS. Enamored by the body style, and LS3 engine I thought it might be the car for me. I test drove one - it flew away like a rocket, but then something came up that killed my desire - It's called a corner. When I stopped, I spent some time in the interior of the Camaro. Ever door I closed, every interior panel and switch I touched reminded me of everything bad about my '92 Camaro. The only thing it was missing was the leaky T-tops. Even though I knew it wasn't the car for me, it made one thing certain; I had to get out of the Prius.
So I went back to my childhood. I asked myself, what's the one car I wanted ever since I was a kid? What's the car that I used to build Revell models of when I was little and spend hours painting and dreaming of driving? That car, of course is the Chevrolet Corvette.
I came to Corvette Forum looking for help. I looked around a little, spent many hours reading, and made my first post saying I was looking for a low mileage C6. Like Norm walking into Cheers, I was welcomed in and given many tips on finding that perfect car.
One of those cars was Frank's - A garage lift kept beauty with 11,000 miles on it, tastefully upgraded with a Corsa Extreme exhaust, Melrose headers, and much more. I set an appointment to check it out.
On a crisp Chicago Sunday afternoon last weekend, I went to Frank's home to check out the car. The outside was immaculate, as was the interior. After explaining everything about the car, and all the upgrades this car had done to it, I knew this car had been cared for.
Then he started it. The sound of that exhaust burbling struck a chord deep inside and I knew I had to drive it. We dropped the top (it was 70 and sunny afterall), and went out for a spin. I had a sneaking suspicion that I knew how this was going to end.
We pulled out of the subdivision, and Frank hit the gas - just a little. I think a little pee came out. Immediately my lips curled into the biggest grin ever - and stayed that way until late that night. We switched drivers, I looked out through the HUD and put my foot on the gas for the first time - and it went. It really went.
After taking the car back and discussing a few details, I thanked Frank for his time after agreeing on the details and drove home. I called my wife on the way and said I am buying this car - I have to have it.
To make a long story short, 2 days later I sold the Prius back. It had 350 miles on it. It was still on the dealer's first tank of gas. Sure, I took a bath on it, but I asked myself, what is the price of driving a car that I hate? Therapy can be expensive, but I needed treatment or my affliction it would only get worse.
Today I bought the Corvette and am now driving it. I plan to detail the heck out of it this weekend, the full Zaino treatment and love every minute of it. Conversely, trust me when I tell you nothing sucks like waxing a Prius. For me there was no joy in it. I've heard it said that the Prius is "The perfect car for people that hate cars" and now I know exactly what they mean, and they are absolutely right. The problem is I am a car lover. I will now say to all who will listen that “The Prius is the worst car ever for people who love cars”.
So, thanks for letting me share my story. The act of getting it out there has helped me heal. Keep an eye out for your friends, family and children, and if they are car lovers, warn them away from the Prius. Step in and intervene if you have too, but don’t let them go down the path that I did.
My name is Dave and I've been driving a Corvette for one day...
The following users liked this post:
TomdaToolman (09-03-2023)
08-27-2009, 03:56 PM
#4
Racer
Member Since: Nov 2008
Location: Sterling Heights Michigan
Posts: 383
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Hi Dave!!
Great Story. It got a little scary there in the middle, I could barely keep reading from under the covers. Luckily the good Corvette came and saved the day destroying the evil Prius. And what did we learn?
"Always buy what you want, not what someone else says you want."
or
"Guys are born to love the Corvette, not made."
Great Story. It got a little scary there in the middle, I could barely keep reading from under the covers. Luckily the good Corvette came and saved the day destroying the evil Prius. And what did we learn?
"Always buy what you want, not what someone else says you want."
or
"Guys are born to love the Corvette, not made."
08-27-2009, 04:02 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Apr 2006
Location: The Beautiful Inland Empire WA.
Posts: 5,933
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes
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7 Posts
GREAT story and thanks for sharing it with us. I can only imagine what it was like to get out of a Prius and into a 'Vette with headers and aftermarket exhaust...
.........Right?
Congrats on the new to you 'Vette -- have you heard the story about a Vette guy getting challenged to a short highway MPG challenge and beating his friend's Honda Hybrid? You can get an honest 30+ with our 430+ HP cars....does it GET any better than that? I think not!!!
.........Right?Congrats on the new to you 'Vette -- have you heard the story about a Vette guy getting challenged to a short highway MPG challenge and beating his friend's Honda Hybrid? You can get an honest 30+ with our 430+ HP cars....does it GET any better than that? I think not!!!
08-27-2009, 04:05 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
Congrats...
Well... I guess I feel lucky... I do not need to go to prison to know I won't like it, and I don't need to drive a Prius to know it was not for me... So I saved some money... The important thing is... You saved your soul. 
08-27-2009, 04:08 PM
#10
Racer
Member Since: Aug 2008
Location: Morganton NC
Posts: 449
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Dave, I loved your post. Welcome to Automotive Heaven in Corvette Land. Congratulations in facing down your demons of political correctness and the hypocrisy of the green movement. We revel in your upcoming indulgence of carbon footprint enlargement. You are no longer an eco-weenie--rejoice!
I understand that the huge torque and acceleration offered by our cars can occasionally cause spontaneous bladder releases in both drivers and passengers; this usually subsides with repeated full throttle runs into 4th gear.
You've gone from the worst accelerating car from 0-60 and the worst braking from 60-0 in the Prius (Car and Driver stats, I think), to one of the best. Pardon my paternalism, but with power comes responsibility. Enjoy the new ride!
I understand that the huge torque and acceleration offered by our cars can occasionally cause spontaneous bladder releases in both drivers and passengers; this usually subsides with repeated full throttle runs into 4th gear.
You've gone from the worst accelerating car from 0-60 and the worst braking from 60-0 in the Prius (Car and Driver stats, I think), to one of the best. Pardon my paternalism, but with power comes responsibility. Enjoy the new ride!
08-27-2009, 04:09 PM
#11
Team Owner
08-27-2009, 04:15 PM
#13
Drifting
haha! fantastic post. Excellent writing skills as well. I lawled with the 'pee' part.
Congratulations, good choice, and thank you for going domestic.
Congratulations, good choice, and thank you for going domestic.
08-27-2009, 04:20 PM
#14
Safety Car
congrats but remember recovery is done one step at a time so live your life as such - one day at a time - and ensure that you take your treatments daily and drive the living #$@! out of that car! 
oh yeah, skin cream will help eliminate the grin marks you will not have on your face permanently!
but remember recovery is done one step at a time so live your life as such - one day at a time - and ensure that you take your treatments daily and drive the living #$@! out of that car! oh yeah, skin cream will help eliminate the grin marks you will not have on your face permanently!
08-27-2009, 04:22 PM
#15
Melting Slicks
The Prius is ugly and has nothing to it that is fun as you found out the hard way. At least you were able to get out of that Prius and into a great vette. You should enjoy every minute you spend in your vette.
08-27-2009, 04:52 PM
#18
Team Owner
Great story.
08-27-2009, 04:55 PM
#19
Race Director
Hello Dave-
You're on the road (literally) to recovery.
If you feel the urge to backslide, you know you can always come here for support.
You're among fiends (not a typo), welcome.
You're on the road (literally) to recovery.
If you feel the urge to backslide, you know you can always come here for support.
You're among fiends (not a typo), welcome.
