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Hummer Versus Prius
WISC TV Channel 3000 ^ | April 14, 2005 | Staff Writer

Posted on 04/14/2005 2:25:36 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin

Hummer Vs. Prius Waiting List For Hybrids Pushing Up Cost

MADISON, Wis. -- GM is taking the wraps off the 2006 military-style, Duramax turbo-diesel V-8 Hummer H1.

A 300-horsepower engine moves the 7,600-pound beast.

But with gas prices inching toward $2.50 this summer, the Toyota Prius is the hot ride in the Madison area. The Prius hybrids are well known for their fuel efficiency, but now they're also becoming known as one of the only mass-produced cars that can demand $1,000 or more -- used -- than its original price.

Joanne McCann just bought her second Prius and wants to sell her first one.

"I paid a little over $20,000 for the car in '01, and I'm selling it for $15,000," McCann said.

With 19,000 miles on it, she feels this is a steal.

"There certainly is a market now for these cars," she said.

It's not common to pay more for a used car than a new one, but with gas prices increasing, dealers say it's also not surprising.

"Supply and demand can dictate that," said Doug Peitz, sales manager at Jon Lancaster Toyota. "Instant gratification is that you can get the used Prius right now. Some people don't want to wait the four to eight months to get a new Prius."

Peitz says at least two requests come in every day for hybrids -- 22 people are already on the April waiting list.

Other hybrids like the Honda Accord and Civic are also selling like hotcakes, but dealers here say they;re not dealing with a shortage of these hybrid vehicles.

A Kelly Blue Book survey says if gas hits $3 per gallon, 77 percent of buyers will seriously consider a more fuel-efficient car.

McCann said the growing price of her Prius is not what she expected when she bought the car, but is definitely not worried about getting it sold.

"You expect real estate to go up, but whenever you buy a car you expect it to depreciate -- that's just how it is," McCann said.

Because the Prius is so popular, other companies are coming out with hybrid vehicles. Look for them beginning this summer.

News 3 auto expert Matt Joseph said not all used Priuses will sell for more. Joseph said that while the hybrid cars bring a premium, they don't routinely sell for more than new cars.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; US: Wisconsin
KEYWORDS: generalmotors; hummer
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Ah, Madison, WI. Oh-So-Politically-Correct. Blech.
1 posted on 04/14/2005 2:25:37 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
the Toyota Prius is the hot ride in the Madison area.

And this is news? Sheeez...

2 posted on 04/14/2005 2:26:25 PM PDT by dirtboy (Drooling moron since 1998...)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Given the title I was hoping for crash pics.


3 posted on 04/14/2005 2:27:25 PM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

"I'm deader than a doornail. But what gas mileage I used to get!"

4 posted on 04/14/2005 2:28:57 PM PDT by martin_fierro (UnnnghConscious)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Ah, the Prius. It just screams, "I'm a vegan weenie!"


5 posted on 04/14/2005 2:29:56 PM PDT by NYpeanut (gulping for air, I started crying and yelling at him, "Why did you lie to me?")
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To: martin_fierro

Note that the damage was done by a *motorcycle*. If the pilot was wearing a helmet and didn't get hit by other traffic after ejection, he's probably OK.

The car driver almost certainly has to be dead.


6 posted on 04/14/2005 2:32:33 PM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
I own an H2, and I will run over any Prius that gets in my way.
7 posted on 04/14/2005 2:32:54 PM PDT by Pukin Dog (Sans Reproache)
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To: martin_fierro

OMG! I'm going to go out and kiss my sturdy, heavy, four-door sedan right this minute. A motorcycle did that much damage? Cripes.

Another thing...why do they only do crash tests at like 35 MPH? Do most crashes really happen at theat low of a speed? That seems odd to me. Never did understand that.


8 posted on 04/14/2005 2:32:55 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: NYpeanut

I always thought it screamed "run me over with your Jeep".


9 posted on 04/14/2005 2:33:02 PM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

The vast majority of crashes do happen at or below that speed. The ones that make the news (the messy, nasty, ugly high speed ones) are fewer in number but get more press. Kind of like how the MSM treats shooting incidents with guns - if it was justifiable, then it won't make the news, but if it was illegal nine-ways-to-Sunday for the guy to own a gun *before* he shot up the 7-11 it'll make the national news.


10 posted on 04/14/2005 2:35:29 PM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: Spktyr

It screams "run me over with your Tonka!"


11 posted on 04/14/2005 2:36:49 PM PDT by thoughtomator ("The Passion of the Opus" - 2 hours of a FReeper being crucified on his own self-pitying thread)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

The sick part is that after replacing the forks, triple tree, control clusters and instruments, maybe the exhaust headers and a little bodywork, the bike is probably still just fine. I'd want to check the welds on the frame head, though.


12 posted on 04/14/2005 2:37:18 PM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I'd settle for a Hummer inside a Prius. I hope the seats fold back.


13 posted on 04/14/2005 2:37:26 PM PDT by GunnyHartman (Allah is allah outta virgins.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

The whole thing is stupid... the premium people pay to get a Hybrid pretty much wipes out the savings from the improved mileage.

I have my eye on the Accord Hybrid... goes 0 to 60 in 6 seconds.


14 posted on 04/14/2005 2:38:35 PM PDT by ambrose (....)
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To: NYpeanut
But with gas prices inching toward $2.50 this summer, the Toyota Prius is the hot ride in the Madison area

Hey, lesbians need cars too.
15 posted on 04/14/2005 2:39:09 PM PDT by reagan_fanatic (It takes all kinds of critters...to make Farmer Vincents fritters)
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To: thoughtomator
Per the rules....

16 posted on 04/14/2005 2:39:27 PM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: reagan_fanatic

My lesbian friend drives a Ferrari.

My other one drives an Excursion with a GreaseCar kit.

Your point? ;)


17 posted on 04/14/2005 2:40:37 PM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: Pukin Dog
I own an H2, and I will run over any Prius that gets in my way.

How many Priuses can you fit in your wheel wells before you have to take a stick and poke them loose?

18 posted on 04/14/2005 2:41:45 PM PDT by KarlInOhio (Blackwell for Governor 2006: hated by the 'Rats, feared by the RINOs.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
"...only mass-produced cars that can demand $1,000 or more -- used -- than its original price.
Joanne McCann just bought her second Prius and wants to sell her first one.
'I paid a little over $20,000 for the car in '01, and I'm selling it for $15,000..."

Somehow the math here ain't quite right. Oh, I forgot, here in madison, they have outcome-based eddycation so that anything pretty much equals anything else...as long as it make you feel good.

I recall reading something in one of Rush's newsletters that prius-owners were ticked because their milage was any better than a regular cars.

19 posted on 04/14/2005 2:43:00 PM PDT by NoClones
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To: Pukin Dog
This one is mine. Lucky for me, I own a gas station, huh.

20 posted on 04/14/2005 2:44:42 PM PDT by speed_addiction (Ninja's last words, "Hey guys. Watch me just flip out on that big dude over there!")
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