twicketface (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
twicketface) wrote2004-05-20 12:21 pm
twicketface) wrote2004-05-20 12:21 pm
Sax and Violins
Best. TFD. EVER! http://www.toothpastefordinner.com/052004/ralph-nader-prayers.gif
So, last night was the Prius test drive you've heard so much about. I arrived at the dealership at 6:30 and was told that "Vic" was running a few minutes late (he was with another customer). "No problem", I said and wandered the showroom floor. About 10 minutes later, Vic introduced himself and said he was just going to be a few more minutes. "That's fine", I said and started to wonder what the point of making an appointment was. He gave me some paperwork on the specs of the Prius (rack-and-peanut steering and everything!) and waddled away.
At 7:00, I was more than annoyed that I still was waiting. Vic was soon turning into Vic the Pric. Another salesperson stopped over and commented that he noticed I was waiting a long time and asked if it was okay that another salesperson took me on the test drive. I agreed and was introduced to Bill. Bill informed me that someone else had the Prius out and should be back any minute. And indeed, they were. We saw them pull into the dealership and proceed to drive to the back of the lot. This left Bill extremely confused.
Finally, at 7:15, through an act of Andrew W.K., Vic and the Prius were both free at the same time. He apologized for being late and I responded with silence, as I don't know an answer other than "that's okay" when it really wasn't. He showed me the outside of the car and security features. He let me drive it out on the highway and through town, telling me about the reliability of Toyotas and such.
The car rode like a dream. Braking, accelerating, turning - everything felt like a traditional car. The display screen could get annoying over time, but hopefully there would be a way to turn it off (akin to a screen saver). The downsides are a) I feel cramped in the front seat. I had at least 4 inches of headroom so maybe I could get used to sitting up very straight to drive, b) there is a 12 month wait for new cars and I doubt the Buick will last that long, and c) we really can't afford a $25,000 new car right now, especially if we're planning on getting pregnant in the next 6 months.
Will still test drive the Honda Civic, although I understand they are smaller and less powerful, so we might be back to square one. I'll end up getting a Toyota no matter what, but probably a non-hybrid for now and maybe upgrade to a hybrid Camry or Avalon when they come out in the next 2 to 3 years. I'm sold on the technology and would love to have a Prius, but now's just not the right time.
So, last night was the Prius test drive you've heard so much about. I arrived at the dealership at 6:30 and was told that "Vic" was running a few minutes late (he was with another customer). "No problem", I said and wandered the showroom floor. About 10 minutes later, Vic introduced himself and said he was just going to be a few more minutes. "That's fine", I said and started to wonder what the point of making an appointment was. He gave me some paperwork on the specs of the Prius (rack-and-peanut steering and everything!) and waddled away.
At 7:00, I was more than annoyed that I still was waiting. Vic was soon turning into Vic the Pric. Another salesperson stopped over and commented that he noticed I was waiting a long time and asked if it was okay that another salesperson took me on the test drive. I agreed and was introduced to Bill. Bill informed me that someone else had the Prius out and should be back any minute. And indeed, they were. We saw them pull into the dealership and proceed to drive to the back of the lot. This left Bill extremely confused.
Finally, at 7:15, through an act of Andrew W.K., Vic and the Prius were both free at the same time. He apologized for being late and I responded with silence, as I don't know an answer other than "that's okay" when it really wasn't. He showed me the outside of the car and security features. He let me drive it out on the highway and through town, telling me about the reliability of Toyotas and such.
The car rode like a dream. Braking, accelerating, turning - everything felt like a traditional car. The display screen could get annoying over time, but hopefully there would be a way to turn it off (akin to a screen saver). The downsides are a) I feel cramped in the front seat. I had at least 4 inches of headroom so maybe I could get used to sitting up very straight to drive, b) there is a 12 month wait for new cars and I doubt the Buick will last that long, and c) we really can't afford a $25,000 new car right now, especially if we're planning on getting pregnant in the next 6 months.
Will still test drive the Honda Civic, although I understand they are smaller and less powerful, so we might be back to square one. I'll end up getting a Toyota no matter what, but probably a non-hybrid for now and maybe upgrade to a hybrid Camry or Avalon when they come out in the next 2 to 3 years. I'm sold on the technology and would love to have a Prius, but now's just not the right time.
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I've also read that the EPA's test isn't very accurate and they show hybrids as more efficient than they really are. Not that 5 or even 10 mpg matters either way (as I'm sold on the concept), but still.
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That's insanity. Why is that?
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Of course, I can't exactly afford a $20,000+ car right now since I'm kinda...going...to...college...next...year...
But I still want one!
By the time I can get one, the Prius will be cheaper, I'm sure.
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I can only hope the huge demand means the death of Hummers as we know it.
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It's a good little car. If you want more info about it, you know where to find me!
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