| Author |
Message |
    
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 1950
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 1:48 pm: | 
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I first noticed this phenomena maybe 6 months after the Prius hit the shores -- on a drive to Washington, DC. I was amazed, and thought how utterly absurd, that a Prius driver is way past pushing the speed limit on the highway.
Yesterday, on a drive to South Jersey -- I noticed multiple Priusi (Priuses??) -- both on the north and south bound drives -- easily driving 80 mph+, whizzing by traffic in the left lane. Sure, the car CAN do it -- but then why buy a Prius?
Isn't it about being "green", saving, energy, etc??
Its kinda like adding more insulation to the house, then keeping a window open for fresh air while the furnace is running --
Pete |
notehead
Supporter
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 3268
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 2:06 pm: |
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Hey, sometimes you're just really in a hurry!
Anyway, at high speeds the mpg doesn't plummet, it just gets down to the range of most cars. And the emissions are still ultra-low compared to virtually everything else on the road. (Actually, super-ultra-low -- the car is classified as a SULEV, which stands for Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle.) I have the original model (an '03) and even though I sometimes drive fast on the highway my mpg is up in the low 40's. |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 1826
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 2:17 pm: |
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If it were about being green, the person wouldn't have bought a car at all.
It's about using less fuel. If you normally drive 80 mph in an SUV, driving 80 mph in a Prius is a sharp improvement. |
Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1566
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 2:40 pm: |
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I still have my 1970s build-it-like-a-tank prejudices, I guess... but what would it be like to crash a Prius at 80 MPH? |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11515
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 3:24 pm: |
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This is almost as good as "a Dead Head sticker on a Cadillac."  |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 895
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 3:25 pm: |
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It's a Toyota...so while still pretty insane...better than a lot of other cars on the market. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14288
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 4:15 pm: |
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Going 80+ on the Parkway in a Prius is more green than going 80+ on the Parkway in any other vehicle. Of course, that takes 80+ as a given, which may not be a good premise.
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Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 823
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 9:52 pm: |
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I think if one knows he or she plans on going 80-plus mph, a Prius is the most responsible way to do it.
Peteglider, what are you driving, and at what speed, that puts you in a position to judge?
J.B.
I know what you're thinking. I ride a bike, but I go close to 100 mph ALL-THE-TIME. |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 4914
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 11:53 pm: |
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I wouldn't think it would be pleasant to run into anything at 80 mph. But that's just me. |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 1952
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 9:06 am: |
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JB -- driving a turbocharged 4 cylinder Saab, going 70 - 75 mph in the center lane, getting 33+ mpg. and on occasion, I, too will drive faster than that --PL |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1249
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 9:45 am: |
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I annoy people with our hybrid by going the speed limit on Ridgewood and Wyoming.
It is really fun to just glide along on 100% electric power and watch the livery cab driver behind me blow a gasket when he can't pass!
Driving a hybrid is most fun at slow speeds because when you take you foot off of the gas almost nothing happens you just keep coasting - like on a bike - then as you slowly lose momentum you can put your foot back on the gas and nudge it a little faster.
When I drive a regular car now I get a sort of jerky stop-and-start effect because I have forget that I can no longer coast...... |
Wendyn
Supporter
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 3096
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 11:18 am: |
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You don't see Hummers driving 80 mph because they would constantly have to slow down to stop for gas. |
notehead
Supporter
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 3271
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 2:45 pm: |
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Case, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the Prius as one of the safest cars on the road for front and side impact protection. So, perhaps that lends confidence to those who drive it at 80 mph.
Cars that are built like tanks don't absorb much crash impact. But they may be useful for smashing buildings and blowing up stuff. |
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