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I Want a Prius

April 21, 2008 11:33 PM

currently drive a Nissan Xterra. It's a fucking awesome car. I've had it for almost six years now, and in that time it's broken down exactly once--the fuel pump went out. Granted, I was offroading in the middle of nowhere at the time, but that's not the car's fault. And it was covered by warranty, anyway.

That's the only time the car's ever let me down. Other than that, it's done everything I could ask of it. It moved me across the country, carried my friends and I to Miami and back, and took me to all manner of exotic, hard to reach locales. It's even been to Santa Fe, even though I've never been there. Basically, it's the best car ever, except in one respect: it gets approximately seven feet to the gallon.

This used to not be so much of a concern for me because I wasn't driving very far very often and because gas prices were fairly reasonable. But circumstances have changed. For one, I have a forty-mile commute every day I go to the office. For two, gas prices are fucking ridiculous. Seriously fucking crazy.

Anyway, so I've been sort of lusting after a Prius for a while now. I mean, they're perfect for someone in my position: they're fairly affordable, they're reliable, they maintain their resale value fairly well, and they have the best gas mileage known to man. Sure, they're sort of ugly, but I could get used to it. And, really, they're not any more boxy than the seXterra. In fact, they're significantly more streamlined.

So, yeah, in a year or two when I'm ready to buy a car, I think I'm going to buy a Prius. Unless the whole law firm thing goes way better than I could reasonably expect, in which case I'm buying an Infiniti G37.

I want to make one thing clear, though: the fact that Toyota markets the Prius as being good for the environment has nothing to do with my desire to buy one. I wouldn't care if the Prius ran on the hopes and dreams of children and left a billowing black cloud of toxic smoke behind it wherever it went--if got 50 miles to the gallon, I'd still buy the thing.



6 Comments


Who? said:

For the money and intended savings, just buy a one year old Honda Civic.

My analysis changes should Prius prices drop, you find a used one for less than new, new tax credits arrive for Prius purchases, or gas prices top $5 per gallon this summer.

April 22, 2008 1:41 PM



tRJ said:

I agree. If we're talking strictly monetary expenditure, you're better off buying a used car with high fuel economy (think Civic, Corrola, etc.) My car is a 1995 MX6, which I got for next to nothing, and it gets 34mpg highway.

April 22, 2008 2:03 PM



Anonymous said:

Actually, I would recommend getting a mini cooper, although the advantage of superior parking ability would be lost on you.

April 22, 2008 10:34 PM



Ismael Tapia II said:

Who? and tRJ,
Those are sensible recommendations that I'll take into consideration.

Anonymous,
If you're going to post anonymously, then don't make it obvious who you are.

Further, I have considered the venerable Mini, but largely discounted it for one reason: I am a large person. The irony and hilarity of the whole thing would be too much. It would be like that scene in that old episode of The Simpsons. I wouldn't be able to handle it.

Also, I can fucking park.

April 22, 2008 10:56 PM






Anonymous said:

hey, i didn't post without a name on purpose, it was because i don't care. it wasn't particularly a big secret. i understand the large person thing, but, you know, that can change, and regardless, its still a damn nice car thats cooler and faster than the prius (and cheaper). third, the parking comment wasn't about your ability to park (you can't) but was directed at the fact that i thought you didn't have to parallel park that much, and thus, the shortness of the car wouldn't be that important to you.

-PJ

April 23, 2008 6:36 PM



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