ExGMan

I happen to live in one of those towns which (around Eastern MA anyway) is referred to as a "People's Republic." Generally this is a pejorative term and usually means that the residents tend to be affluent with lots of higher education, and a decided inclination to make sure that everyone is behaving as a good citizen should. I've noticed lately that the numbers of Toyota Prius vehicles on the streets seem to have increased, and that a trip of any distance around here seems to put me behind a Prius poking along just below the speed limit. I figure these vehicles are the new ride of choice of the People's Republic set, and have displaced the slowly-driven, dirty, clunky Volvo wagon. I surmise there must be a prominent instant MPG readout right in the middle of the dash, making sure the driver feels virtuous as he/she pokes along.

Rant over.

nickolas_g

Dang G-Man, I did not know you were in Northampton, MA!

Do you dress up for the annual parade?

tachyon

Yup, the Prius was the 9th best-selling car (not counting pick-up trucks) in the U.S. in 2007.

California, not surprisingly, had the highest concentration of hybrid sales (as a % of all vehicles sold), followed by the Portland-Seattle corridor, Baltimore-Washington, Denver, and Boston. So you will be seeing them a lot where you live.

UUronL

I just had one as a rental car this weekend... Fucking thing sucks - it's a wonder anyone buys them. Imagine driving an econo-shitbox, one that stalls every once and a while, and you've about nailed the experience.

nickolas_g

+1

ExGMan

Typical Tar Heel reply...where'd you get that picture of your brother-in-law? Neat to see him in the news, eh?

DRANGED

Ever read about the actual environmental impact of the Prius. If people really cared about the environment they would stay away, unfortunately looking like they care is more important to these people.



http://www.impactlab.com/modules.php?name=...e&sid=11001

http://clubs.ccsu.edu/recorder/editorial/e....asp?NewsID=188

http://www.37signals.com/svn/posts/115-loo...onmental-choice

ExGMan

I think this just proves my point...people in cold climates, e.g Boston, buy them for reasons other than economy/decreased carbon footprint, etc. I bet the sales in Minnesota, Maine, North Dakota, Montana and Canada are really good.

ImolaRedM

Heck, just give me a good oil burner and a drive thru. We all know how many of those we have in this country.

Russ1974

Both of our cars are diesels ... how much more bloody environmentally friendly do I need to be, god damnit !