Prius prejudice

Posted in Cars, Prius on November 17th, 2007 by Jan

What’s with people and their prejudice against the Prius?

People first ask me what car I bought, then usually give me one of the following answers:

  • Ewwwwww (and all it’s variations)
  • Thats a car for old people!
  • Such an ugly thing!
  • Hybrid? So you have to plug it in at home?

and countless others.

You also have the other kind of answers:

  • Cool! Eco!
  • Wow, congratz

but those are still in the minority.

Please, people, get informed before formulating your opinions at me. Thank you, please run along now.

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It’s decided! It’s ordered!

Posted in Cars, Prius on November 15th, 2007 by Jan

Today I went for another testdrive with the Toyota Prius, longer this time - 2 hours - to see how the car handled in all the usual traffic, and also to be able to judge the seats, the radio, the cruise control, the multi-info-display, everything.

My judgement: it drives great, the seats are very comfy, and it’s oh.. so.. quiet ;) The fuel economy for my trip of 130km was 4.7/100km, which isn’t bad at all - not having driven a Prius this long before, and not taking special measures to limit gas usage.

So, in the end, I finally comitted, and ordered a Red Toyota Prius!

Toyota Prius - RED!

Now I only have to be patient until somewhere in March 2008 for it to be made and delivered to me.. plenty of time to go look for good insurance ;)


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Test-drive with Toyota Prius

Posted in Cars, Prius on November 12th, 2007 by Jan

Today I managed to get a testdrive with the Toyota Prius (thanks to Garage Holvoet in Dendermonde).

Remarks:

  • Very quiet. Amazingly quiet. Sheesh. Too quiet :p
  • Very smooth driving. You don’t notice the engine starting or stopping unless you really pay attention
  • Comfy seats
  • Distracting multi-info display. It’s too tempting to watch :p
  • The CVT is nice, but strange (normal since I’m used to driving stick-shift cars)
  • Annoying beeping when driving backwards - it’s a safety feature, since in this mode it’s only running on electric power
  • Slow-ish feeling acceleration - but this could have been me. I’m very careful with other people’s cars ;)
  • The absense of engine noise makes you drive too fast very easily - this is something to get used to

Overall, I’m very pleased with the car. It’s currently on my nr. 1 spot.

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Cars - part 2

Posted in Cars on November 6th, 2007 by Jan

Continuing from my previous post, I’ve now visited a bunch of car manufacturers:
(all cars are diesel fueled except the hybrid)

Brand Model Remarks
Toyota Auris Luna Pack
(1.4 / 2.0)		 + Great outfit for lowish price
+ 5 years warranty
- Too narrow for two persons
- Finishing not really that
- 1.4 too weak, 2.0 too expensive
Prius Sol + Great outfit
+ Ecologically sound
+ Geeky
- Automatic instead of manual shift
- Different way of driving
- Expensive

Honda Civic Comfort 2.2 + Very nice car
+ Great interior/exterior design
- Too costly in taxes…
Civic Hybrid + Low emissions
- Trunk is too small
- Hybrid isn’t that useful if you always are in high RPM’s
Kia Cee’d EX / Executive
1.6 CRDi 115hp 		+ 7 years warranty!
+ Great outfit for low price
- Seats too hard
- Cheapish finish
Mitsubishi Colt 1.5 DiD Invite The car reminds me of my parent’s 14-year old Mitsubishi… sturdy, and that’s it. Luxury is non-existant.
Volkswagen Golf On-Tour 1.9 105hp + Sturdy and well finish
+ Custom-tailored
- Expensive
- Only 2 years warranty

Right now I’m doubting between the Kia and the Volkswagen… If the seats in the Kia hadn’t made my back hurt for the remainder of a day (after a 20 min drive) it would win hands-down, but now, it doesn’t…

(edit on 07/11/11: added the Prius)

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