Modern Vespa

One of my co-workers traded his old Mustang for a Toyota Prius. Nice. Just this morning, my other co-workers were giving the guy hell. They said that he "traded his balls in for a Prius." Ugh... puh-leeze. What do you say to that?

"I didn't realize you guys were such experts at sniffing out balls."

Different strokes for different folks.

An old rule that I learned in the business world many years ago: "Never assume that other peoples goals and motives are the same as your own".

hehehe

Yeah, I got a little worked up about this even though it wasn't directed to me. I can, however, relate to the guy for making similar choices he made.

Since you asked ... I say Priapism is what he deserves.

It is normal they feel threatened, they are about to loose some precious things and they know it, if not consciously then subconsciously. Send them love.

The conversation is over when you tell them "Remember that statement the next time you gas up" and they say "But gas is cheap nowadays."

It depends on what kind of Mustang it was.

If it was a cookie cutter Fox body Mustang, then no biggy. His cool factor probably went up.

If it was a Shelby, a 428 Cobra, a '65 fastback, or something similar, then I would say he may have made a mistake. He should have kept the Mustang and bought a Vespa to supplement it.

It's just a personal choice - that's all. You can't say anything to people like that which will help them "understand." They're ignorant, and that's all.

I used to buy certain things at Trader Joe's (ex: strawberries). Then one day, I read the label - they came from The Netherlands. I found it ridiculous to be buying strawberries from halfway around the world when I live less than 1hr from the strawberry capital of the world (Watsonville, CA). So, I stopped buying strawberries @ TJ's.

I'm not a hippie, nor am I a hillbilly or a farmer, but I *do* do my best to get my produce locally now. It's just a personal choice of mine. Others don't have to do the same, nor do I expect them all to understand why I do it.

to me, a prius screams LOOK AT HOW IMPORTANT AND SMARTER THAN YOU I AM LOOK AT ME LOOK AT ME LOOK AT ME.

but, that's just me.

Personal choice is personal choice and many of us respect each other's choices, beliefs, and whatnot. But when people start to challenge your views, or make statements that infer your views to be less superior than theirs, then we have a problem. Oh well...

Rex,

From one guy who drives a scooter to another guy who rides a scooter, I am sure we can feel for this guy/gal. I am going to guess they sold the Mustang for reasons other than just the fuel economy. In my experience, the Prius is going to have fewer repairs than any Mustang.

I am going also to guess that the new car feeling of a Prius is better than the feeling of driving any old POS car on the road.... but nothing compares to the fun of a scooter riding between the Mustang and Prius as they sit 20 cars back of at that nasty red light on the commute home.

I completely agree, Rex. It is problematic, and it seems to be pervasive in our society. That said, guys who equate owning a Mustang with having balls aren't guys I give a flying eff about, anyway.

It's not just you. I see it that way, too.

South Park did an episode about hybrids, and the "smug" they produced.

Was it the new one with the solar panels etc

I own a prius and the last time I checked I still have my balls.

does that mean I am heaps more important than chad. I like to think so cause I'm well smart n stuff. and people look at me like all the time

[quote="mongoose"] the satire in that episode might be about the ones that perceive a smugness. South Park are funny that way.

Compared to a sports car? LOOK AT ME, I'M HAVING A MIDLIFE CRISIS!

update guys


my balls are still there

Either way, it screams, "Look at me, I need attention." We call those Edina people in Minnesota. Every Day I Need Attention.

OK, so let's admit it, we all want attention out there. Otherwise I'd just drive my Corolla (the most indiscriminate car made) every day.

Be fair... so everyone should drive a middle of the road Honda or something? Damned if you do, damned if you don't? What's wrong with loving gadgets or wanting to roll a little differently? (PS I love Hondas, so no offense meant)

I wouldn't want a mustang, personally, but lighter sportscars certainly appeal to me. As do hybrids, though I much prefer a Civic hybrid to a Prius. I guess I'd worry this meant I was an attention whore if I even owned a car

Insulting someone for switching to a Prius, saying they gave up their balls? BULL. Not cool. Just like my idiot friend who won't shut up about trading in my "faggio" for a Harley. It's pure idiocy. Likewise, don't drown in your own hybrid smug

Buy what you buy because you want one, not for how it will look OR for how people will react if you don't. Different strokes for different folks

I suppose you call that "prius envy" LOL

Rex it would be interesting to know what cars your other co workers have. do they all have mustangs with massive balls or do they catch the bus.

Ease up, isn't riding a vespa attention whoring. Otherwise why else did you buy it compared to a cheaper also well built bikes/scooters. Contradiction much?

+1

Buy Local Is certainly a good thing, I like the trend of the "hundred mile menu" in restaurants. I also believe that we can all be our OWN SHADE OF GREEN, evryone can cut back energy usage and save here and there according to their individual situation and enviornment... Pick your shade of green and wear it proudly!
NOTE:
BUY LOCAL is a lot easier (year round) in CALIFORNIA lol

another point>>> owning a PRIUS does not automatically give you the right to shit on , verbally, literally or otherwise people who choose to drive larger, less efficient vehicles after alll they may live in more energy efficient houses!!!
Please do not join the Prius Nazis. We are all in this together.
my 4 cents

Just watched that episode the other night!!! Hilarious!!! I still don't understand why everybody was smelling their own farts though.

Yeah. They drive 4x4 trucks. Two of them. They also gave me shit when I showed up on a Vespa one day. They don't understand why I didn't get a motorcycle. Whatever. (For the record, they are NOT the reason why I bought a motorcycle in May. I had a mid-bike crisis. ) What's funny is they'll give people shit for subscribing to things that are (in their puny little minds) less than masculin but when they see the opportunity, they'll somewhat praise us for doing so. For example, I heard one of them say on the phone, "I got a coworker who rides a scooter everyday to work and he's laughing all the way to bank. He gets 70 miles to a gallon on his little scooter." (He was referring to me and my Vespa). See what I mean?

+1 plus a prius might not suit there needs. for one my car can't tow me mates boat or the out-laws caravan, or even go off road on a mates property. People might not be able to afford the extravagance of a hybrid or multiple cars and a 4x4 fits into their work/lifestyle.

I find it difficult to explain to acquaintances that I just don't care about how cheap the gas is, I simply don't want to use the gas, so I scoot.

And, Masala: "*do* do" = "doodoo." You said "doodoo." Teehee.

I actually saw a Prius the other day without an Obama sticker on it. I'm not kidding, that's very rare in MA. Must be a new one.

Interesting thread. From where I stand, I can't see the dust-to-dust cost of a Prius less than many other conventional modes of transport.

BUT it's trying to explore other technologies - and for that it gets my thumbs-up.

200 miles, 5 minute re-charge would be my goal for an electric vehicle. Currently possible, but expensive.

on some studio lots the prius is not allowed to "drive around"

there was some one killed a while back by being ran over by one.

witnesses said they did'nt here the car.

so of course the studios knee jerked and had a memo sent out and whatever.

that was a while back when they were "the shit"

i here the mpg is'nt great on the freeway

just around town is where they shine

Maybe, or maybe they just want to save gas for their own wallet's sake.
I've never understood why so many people care what other people are doing ... or even pretend to know what others are thinking.

I caught flack from my co-worker about my Vespa, but I laughed it off and continued enjoying my scooter riding. Better still, I've almost convinced a couple of them to get one so we can scooter around together on our off time.

not all they're cracked up to be. Don't believe the hype. all technology has its bad side, like the dirty coal and strip mining to be able to charge up a full electric car. However the more people buy hybrids or similar tech then the more the companies will make and the better tech we will get.

i like the prius

we got to drive some around while shooting a toyota commercial

frikin quiet dude

it was strange at first

yeah I know, I am a little worried about hitting my dogs and cats. got so many they are a little hard to keep track of.

Yeah hybrids are a different experience to drive. But I like em (though I wish you could shift )

I wonder if they are going to have electronically generated "car noise," kind of like how cell phones have "old phone" rings for the nostalgic

Didn't Clarkson say that a Hummer has less "dust-to-dust" impact than a Prius? Doesn't a Prius essentially go around the world during manufacture? Mining in Canada for the minerals to make the batteries in Germany, shipped to Japan for assembly then finally to North America?

Also, a few years ago, I read an article in Autoweek that did a comparison between a Prius and an equally equipped Focus. It would take 8½ years to balance out the initial cost and fuel cost of the two.

Don't get me wrong; I'm all for more efficient transportation, but I don't buy into the "hybrid" mentality, yet.

For a wallet's sake, buy a cheaper, equally efficient car.

That's how I feel. If I were to buy a hybrid, I'd get the Honda Civic. It doesn't look any different. However, it doesn't come in AWD/4WD version so it's out of the question for us.

Rex, is it possible those guys think they are just kidding the guy. If they treated you that way when you got your Vespa, but on the phone are clearly admiring of you, then maybe they just don't have good social skills.

Agreed. There is nothing holy about a Prius vs. a Mustang, a Vespa vs. a Sportster, etc. People like and enjoy different things. People have different needs and value different priorities. Some people make good use of SUV's and an SUV makes sense to them, while others take a pass on a car and prefer public transportation. Turning someone's choice of transportation into a moral judgement is silly.