Runaway Prius Case A Hoax?

PapoZalsa · 03-14-2010, 10:41 PM

SAN DIEGO – Investigators are confronted with a series of nagging questions as they try to unravel the case of a California real estate agent who said his Toyota Prius turned into a runaway death trap after the gas pedal became stuck.

Why didn't the driver simply throw the transmission into neutral as officers urged him to do? Why didn't a safety mechanism activate that was supposed to cut power to the engine in such situations? And could he have made the story up in pursuit of fame and money?

Each question is getting scrutiny from the Internet-consuming public as they question the motives of the driver, a 61-year-old real estate agent named James Sikes. Some skeptics have even invoked the infamous "balloon boy hoax" in expressing doubts about the story.

YouTube - UPDATE: Runaway Prius Case A Hoax?

370Zsteve · 03-14-2010, 10:45 PM

Psssht, the minute I read it, I knew it was a BS artist with a Balloon Boy complex. Just so happened he did the stunt at the same time the press was meeting with Toyota

NewlyIMPORTed · 03-14-2010, 10:46 PM

thats the problem with most americans they just milk a situation for money

370Zsteve · 03-14-2010, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewlyIMPORTed

thats the problem with most americans they just milk a situation for money

The guy and his wife now say "we never planned to sue or anything"

Of course not after you've been outed as a fraud lmao.

dad · 03-14-2010, 11:09 PM

There will always be shysters out to make a profit off a situation like Toyota's!

PapoZalsa · 03-14-2010, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve

The guy and his wife now say "we never planned to sue or anything"

Of course not after you've been outed as a fraud lmao.

He is 5 months behind in payment and wants Toyota to give him a new car. WTF!!

Wicked_G · 03-14-2010, 11:58 PM

Say what you want but:

Toyota recall: Last words of father before he and his family died in Lexus crash | Mail Online

That's sad as hell.

SmoothZ · 03-15-2010, 12:03 AM

I called BS to my wife and coworkers as soon as I heard/read about it. What a douche if he is trying to cash in or make the company look bad. Oh, wait. He already IS a douche for driving/owning a Prius.

Wicked_G · 03-15-2010, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmoothZ

Oh, wait. He already IS a douche for driving/owning a Prius.

Prius = soy bean

Soy bean image by burumun on Photobucket

rsximus · 03-15-2010, 04:43 AM

The guy was knee deep in debt, 6 months behind on payments on his car.

He wanted out of his car loan, simple as that.

Chriz · 03-15-2010, 05:08 AM

This Memo Proves The Runaway Prius Was A Hoax - Toyota Recall - Jalopnik
here is some more info on the matter if anyone is interested. Shame some people have to go this low

nuTinmuch · 03-15-2010, 11:28 AM

YouTube - 2010 Toyota Prius brake problems. Easy fix, amazing documentary

theDreamer · 03-15-2010, 11:30 AM

I am shocked.

elmz · 03-15-2010, 12:57 PM

Yeah this was so ridiculous! Its a freakin Prius, press the brakes you moron, there is not enough torque there to keep the car moving. Or how about the E-brake? or nuetral? or turn the engine off? One of these is bound to work if not all. If the guy really feared for his life one of the these would of happened. Why would you just sit there?! Total BS!

Trips · 03-15-2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve

Psssht, the minute I read it, I knew it was a BS artist with a Balloon Boy complex. Just so happened he did the stunt at the same time the press was meeting with Toyota

03-14-2010, 10:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
PapoZalsa A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Not in Sunny Florida Posts: 6,358 Drives: 16 Nismo w/Tech Pack Rep Power: 4500	Runaway Prius Case A Hoax? SAN DIEGO – Investigators are confronted with a series of nagging questions as they try to unravel the case of a California real estate agent who said his Toyota Prius turned into a runaway death trap after the gas pedal became stuck. Why didn't the driver simply throw the transmission into neutral as officers urged him to do? Why didn't a safety mechanism activate that was supposed to cut power to the engine in such situations? And could he have made the story up in pursuit of fame and money? Each question is getting scrutiny from the Internet-consuming public as they question the motives of the driver, a 61-year-old real estate agent named James Sikes. Some skeptics have even invoked the infamous "balloon boy hoax" in expressing doubts about the story. YouTube - UPDATE: Runaway Prius Case A Hoax? __________________ 2009 370Z MB Base w/Sport Package 6MT Modshack's Custom Air Intakes /3M Clear Bra/ Illuminated Kick Plates / F. I CBE w/12" resonators / EVO-R Front Lip / Rear Hatch Wing / Tein S-Tech Springs /Ilegal Tint in the Rep. of VA/4x20mm Z1 Spacers/ Vinyl Roof/Liquid Carbon Designs

03-14-2010, 10:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
370Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gold Coast CT Posts: 10,599 Drives: 2019 Corvette G.S. Rep Power: 43	Psssht, the minute I read it, I knew it was a BS artist with a Balloon Boy complex. Just so happened he did the stunt at the same time the press was meeting with Toyota __________________ SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

03-14-2010, 10:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
NewlyIMPORTed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kennesaw, GA Posts: 1,109 Drives: 11 STI Sedan Rep Power: 18	thats the problem with most americans they just milk a situation for money __________________ 2011 WRX STICobb Accessport, Nameless Performance exhaust, COBB SF Intake, COBB downpipe, 20% tint, Work Emotion XD9's

03-14-2010, 11:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
dad Grand Prix of Endurance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,476 Drives: Mulsanne Straight Rep Power: 26	There will always be shysters out to make a profit off a situation like Toyota's! __________________ We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

03-15-2010, 12:03 AM	#8 (permalink)
SmoothZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Arrakis Posts: 7,952 Drives: giant sandworm Rep Power: 36	I called BS to my wife and coworkers as soon as I heard/read about it. What a douche if he is trying to cash in or make the company look bad. Oh, wait. He already IS a douche for driving/owning a Prius. __________________ "Once you go Asian, you never go Caucasian." "I talk to myself, and when I do that, I know I'm talking to an intelligent person."

03-14-2010, 11:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
Wicked_G Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Irvine Posts: 93 Drives: G37s Rep Power: 15	Say what you want but: Toyota recall: Last words of father before he and his family died in Lexus crash \| Mail Online That's sad as hell.

03-15-2010, 04:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
rsximus Base Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oxnard Posts: 37 Drives: 2007 335i, 2009 370Z Rep Power: 15	The guy was knee deep in debt, 6 months behind on payments on his car. He wanted out of his car loan, simple as that.

03-15-2010, 05:08 AM	#11 (permalink)
Chriz Track Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Houston TX Posts: 626 Drives: '10 370z PW 7AT Rep Power: 17	This Memo Proves The Runaway Prius Was A Hoax - Toyota Recall - Jalopnik here is some more info on the matter if anyone is interested. Shame some people have to go this low __________________ PW 7AT w/Sports Pkg Hook Em!

03-15-2010, 11:28 AM	#12 (permalink)
nuTinmuch A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,092 Drives: PG 7AT 370Z Rep Power: 18	YouTube - 2010 Toyota Prius brake problems. Easy fix, amazing documentary __________________ nuTinmuch! -- Platinum Graphite 370Z -- Check out my Gallery thread here!

03-15-2010, 11:30 AM	#13 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4210	I am shocked. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

03-15-2010, 12:57 PM	#14 (permalink)
elmz Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 674 Drives: 2014 Porsche Boxster Rep Power: 17	Yeah this was so ridiculous! Its a freakin Prius, press the brakes you moron, there is not enough torque there to keep the car moving. Or how about the E-brake? or nuetral? or turn the engine off? One of these is bound to work if not all. If the guy really feared for his life one of the these would of happened. Why would you just sit there?! Total BS!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Prius, VW Crush Tesla In Green Car Violence	AK370Z	Other Vehicles	7	10-28-2009 01:35 PM
Aem intake. Just in case u L.A. enthusiasts havent seen this	chief_Roka	Engine & Drivetrain	1	09-18-2009 03:02 PM
Just in case???	Xavier Raymond	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	3	03-18-2009 02:33 PM
In case anyone needs a good laugh . . .	semtex	The Lounge (Off Topic)	9	01-30-2009 06:01 AM