Yes, You Want a Prius

Click on the photo to enlarge. Please notice large cat on the dashboard (Tiger) and the horse in the right rearview mirror. Probably Buddy. How I live.

I'm afraid to go to the gas station. People give me dirty looks. Fortunately, I don't have to go often. I drive a Prius.

I drive a Prius because I made the decision a year ago that (1) I didn't want to walk, which was the only alternative I had after not one but two VWs turned from cool driving machines into unrepairable junk (two cars died in three months) and I was left with nothing but a horse and a bike and (2) I don't like giving money to people who hate us.

Yes, the Prius gets incredible mileage. Most of the time I get from 52-54 mpg. If I drive fast and run the A/C or heater, I get in the high 40s. I have gotten 60 mpg for some driving segments.

It's not as sporty and fun to drive as a Jetta, and it isn't as comfortable as a Passat, but there's something to be said for economy and reliability. As you can see from the photo, Tiger finds it quite comfortable.

It holds more than you think it would. It's comfortable. It has lots of well-thought-out features.

It has a certain cool factor. I'm surprised I survived the last year because I spent most of it not looking at the road, but at the energy consumption panel. It's like a video game where the point is to maximize your mpgs. It has trained me to drive the way the Prius likes to be driven, which is sort of like driving a bicycle. Coast downhill, build up speed for the next hill. And brake slowly.

Thank goodness it has a back-up camera, because in electric mode it doesn't make any noise. That means the pets don't move out of the way and I've driven over Tiger before.

And when I went to the feed store to pick up some bags of grain the young man who totes and fetches never appeared. I had to go looking for him. My car was in electric mode so he didn't hear me drive up. This puzzled him, so he asked me, "Is that one of them solar cars?"

One of my favorite things about the car is the SmartKey system. What that means is that if you have trouble keeping up with your key, don't worry. If it's stuck somewhere on you or in your purse, you can start your car and lock and unlock the doors without ever having to figure out exactly where you put your keys. Trouble is, you have to find your keys when you get home because our house door is not smart, though I suspect it is me who isn't smart.

When I can't find my keys, I put my purse in the Prius to see if I can start it. If it starts, I know I have my keys so I keep looking in my clothing and purse.

I bought the car because it was supposed to be reliable and economical. I paid more for the hybrid engine, but I figured I'd rather give the money to the Japanese than the people who hate us.

And yes, I think we need to drill for American oil. Go for all sources of American oil.  Now.  By the way, did you know China is exploring oil reserves between Cuba and Key West? You think they've got the technology to prevent oil spills that would devastate Florida's coral reefs?  I recently heard an updated report about this, but can't find the link. Here is a story from the St. Petersburg (FL) Times and here's one from the NY Times.

And, the obvious from Jay Leno:

Comments

[versicherung online]

I think you take a nice decision.I 100% support hybrid engine.

[Scarlett]

Good for you for getting the Prius. Anything that helps save energy. And I love the photo! Tiger is so beautiful. Boy I miss my cats!

[Transylvanianhorseman]

The Prius is quiet. I saw a character in a spy movie use one to creep up on the bad guys. Unfortunately one can also creep up on the good guys aka the cats.