Anyone notice how the Prius generation forums shift focus over time? It use to be the third gen was a bunch of prima donnas, discussing deep stuff like colors, options, extended warranties, paint protection, trotting out all these incomprehensible, esoteric option acronyms only THEY understood? Or cared about? Now they've "passed that torch" to the fourth gen'rs, and whoever's missed the boat in third gen is starting into the chest beating phase,, when the warranties start running out, discovering the horrors of neglected maintainance, failing parts, what Toyota's finest mechanics have REALLY been doing, or neglecting. Meanwhile, the second (and first, if you can find them, they have a hidden, underground forum, I've heard) generation have evolved into a stoic, pit-lamp-in-teeth tough and gritty bunch, prone to crawling under their cars to pull off large chunks of it, partial to using torches in the face of resistance. Evolution?
I think every car forum specific to a brand and/or model evolves pretty much the same way as new generations come out. The latest generation is cosmetic because it's new, the previous generation is more practical while the generation before that just wants to keep their cars running as economically as possible. Older generation owners are much more "hands on" as a result. In the case of the Prius, the first generation owners have a sense of pride in their cars as they show they were pioneers, ahead of the mainstream public and the rest of the manufacturers who have jumped on the hybrid bandwagon. That's a bit different than most non-hybrid cars owners who drive very early generation, older cars because they are just trying to keep things cheap.
Your "…using torches" bit is singulaly appropriate to me (originating from UK), but worries me a bit, especially when seaching for gas-leaks! KER-BOOOOOM!!!!
I never understand people that start a post out "explaining" the designation of their Prius. Like..."I own a Prius 2, not a Prius II as Toyota only used Roman Numerals..." OK...so what? We got it when you said you owned a 2014 Prius 2...the rest of the explanation is extraneous, and geesh, even if you get it wrong between 2, Two, and II...I think we can figure it out. But I never said anything. But now that I'm a Prius outsider? I can start being critical again! Yeah...you're all cult like Pod People, and I can't wait to angrily pass you at ridiculously high speeds just because...well you know...it's a "Prius" in front of me..... (Just Kidding) Love you guys....
I seriously suspect this is a Priuschat auto-correct function. (Reports of your demise are exaggerated... )
