Sticker Shock for Owners of Hybrids

[Ernesto]

They're big. They're ugly. They're offensive. So say owners of the hybrid Toyota Prius — not about larger gas-guzzlers that hog the road but about the decals the state is handing out that allow hybrid owners to drive solo in carpool lanes.

a growing number of drivers are now protesting because the California Highway Patrol is requiring that four bright yellow decals — 7 by 3 inches and 5 by 2 inches in size — be displayed on their cars.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-hybrid26aug26,0,4255193.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[dcfirefighter]

1. Dumb Rule

You could drive in your Lexus RX400h luxury SUV (31/27 mpg) but I couldn't in my Volkwagen Golf TDi (38/46 mpg) or my Toyota Echo (35/42)

[Ernesto]

2. My wife's came in the mail just this AM

They are HUGE. I can hardly imagine putting 4 of these things on her new Prius............

[Beaverhausen]

3. I decided not to get the stickers

I don't drive enough on the highways (thank goddess!) to need them and since they are only giving out a certain number I thought I'd let someone else have one who needs it.

sorry to hear they are big and ugly though. that sucks.

[ronnykmarshall]

4. Same here

I don't have a Prius (yet), I'd never need to use the car pool lanes anyway. Ever since I saw the last episode of "Six Feet Under" I want a Prius BAD!

[Beaverhausen]

5. I love my Prius!!!

What happened on Six Feet Under?

I get a lot of $$$ breaks with my Prius: I got an extra 1% off my car loan, I get $60 a month from my employer, I get a $2000 deduction on my taxes and I got a little break on my insurance, too.

Hope you get one! You will love it! :hi:

[ronnykmarshall]

6. COOL!

I don't think my employeer will give me a $$ break, but that $2000 deduction sounds sweet!

[Beaverhausen]

7. Next year it is actually a tax credit

I bought mine this year and get to deduct $2000 from my income. But next year you actually deduct $2000 from your taxes...if I understand it correctly. A way better incentive!!!

My employer (a huge corporation) refunds me the money under their car pool/rideshare program. If your company has a program like that they should add hybrids to the mix.

[Oerdin]

8. The Prius is very interesting

Especially from a technolgical stand point and I do think the new generation is a big step up over the first generation but it is still not my style. I currently drive a two door four cylinder car which gets around 30mpg on the highway so I don't think I'm being to hard on the enviroment. Next year I'd like to buy a Honda S2000 whose 2.2L engine is a model for engine efficency and squeezes every pony out of the engine.