SFist: Prius Owners Target of Schadenfreudic Vandalism

Karst

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:00:29 -0800

An important difference between City CarShare and Zipcar/Flexcar is that the latter basically has no insurance (state minimum = no insurance, IMHO). If you get in a serious accident with Zipcar then your life is pretty much over, financially speaking at least. Last I checked they wouldn't even offer a reasonable insurance policy at any cost. I'd look into getting together with several friends and create a "household" plan on CCS to share the deposit and monthly fees. Here's some blogging on the issue: http://www.felixsalmon.com/000562.html

manys

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:07:29 -0800

Two things about Priuses: 1) They are the worst drivers and fast-lane hoggers, based on my experience commuting down the peninsula. 2) Prius drivers benefit from bad driving. The slower they go, the better mileage they get. Sure, every car is like this, but even moreso for the Prius. They have a conflict of interest when it comes to the flow of traffic.

sissa

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:23:09 -0800

@Leanne: Ah yes, I forgot about the deposit. I've been a member since the beginning, and the deposit was the same back then. Not sure how I managed it, actually. I've often wondered why people go with Zipcar instead. Now I know! Regardless of the car sharing program, though, I like that it addresses the issue of car addiction (less people owning cars) AND there are hybrids available to share. It's understandable that some people just can't manage without one though. It's easier to manage when living in the city.

Leanne

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:55:30 -0800

Sissa, I would have loved to join City Car Share but could never swing the $300 deposit... I joined Flexcar last year when the sign-up fee was only $36, and their rates were decent. Then I got sucked in when they merged with Zipcar... Yes, $8.75 is damn high... Might as well just rent a car.

Tendernob

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:41:51 -0800

The SUV hybrids get much more flack. They get worse gas mileage than a regular small car, and get to use carpool lanes because they are "green". This is not true. To qualify for carpool lane access, your car must have a MPG of 40 or higher. Hybrid SUVs do not qualify.

OrangeDrink

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:36:01 -0800

My guess is the vandals simply think Prius owners will care more.

xyz123

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:28:05 -0800

This is not my personal point of view and I don't condone eco-terrorism (or grafittism) but some would argue that driving a Prius is only putting a bandaid on a problem. It is not addressing our addiction to cars, and lack of alternative transportation. The SUV hybrids get much more flack. They get worse gas mileage than a regular small car, and get to use carpool lanes because they are "green".

Tendernob

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:13:14 -0800

Of all places, why would there be a hybrid backlash in the Bay Area? I drive a hybrid (NOT a Prius) and I pay for private parking, so I'm very fortunate that my vehicle isn't sitting on the street for random assholes to mess with. But if anyone vandalized my car--especially to make some pseudo-political statement--I'd slit their f*cking throat.

sissa

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:07:56 -0800

Zipcars are $8.75 an hour?!? City CarShare is $5/hr! Yes, I'm a longtime loyal City CarShare member. :)

cloudgazer

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:34:30 -0800

maybe the prius haters are subconsciously thinking "i just spent nearly $4 on gas...i feel stupid...those prius owners are smart...damn! i hate them now for making me feel less intelligent" (not a driver of a prius)

Brock Keeling

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:55:35 -0800

An SUV full of jocks in Santa Cruz did that? Girls can be so cruel sometimes.

Leanne

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:53:38 -0800

As a Zipcar member, I appreciate that they have one or two $5.85/hr Priuses for rent per neighborhood, as opposed to all the other vehicles that start at $8.75/hr. The Prius drives just like any other car, and it's a bonus that you don't have to fill it with gas as often. Not everyone in a hybrid is smug. Also, I was a passenger in a Prius in Santa Cruz a couple of years ago, and this SUV of jocks pulls up next to us and gives us mean looks and then cuts us off. Annoying back then, but hilarious now.