Here's a link to this photo: Volkswagen HDR - http://static.flickr.com/50/144595772_8e72ce66ae_o.jpg

After a short 6 week waiting period I just got my Prius.  Tideland Pearl (kindof a greenish color) with a tan interior.  The thing is great.  Drives well, sufficient pickup (albeit this is no muscle car) and so far I seem to be averaging about 49MPG in my commute to work.  Or course the ads say I should be getting more - but I guess I gotta buy lighter shoes or something.

The dash has this intoxicating little computer display that shows you the hybrid system in action - when the gas engine is powering the wheels, when the electric motor is powering them and when the engine is charing the hybrid battery, etc.  Of course as a new driver you end up watching the little screen and not the road.  Unfortunately broadsiding a buick won't necessarily increase your mileage.

By far the best thing about driving a hybrid (aside from feeling good about the environment) is that you don't actually have to stop at stop signs anymore....at least that's what I tried to explain to one of Palo Alto's finest the other day.  Of course he and his v8 gas guzzling big American interceptor didn't buy it.

Thanks for all your input.   Decided to buy a Prius and join the new hybrid generation (wait time is down to a 6 to 8 weeks - or so they say - yah right).

Actually was originally going to by a used '04 until I realized that they are selling for MORE than a new '05.  It was pretty entertaining having a couple of conversations with people who were trying to convince me why I should pay extra for an older car that was likely a rental.  Imagine buying the car that JV  had rented in Vegas a few months prior...

Of course moments after putting down the deposit I see the article in the NYT that these suckers have a nasty habit of simply stopping when moving at highway speeds.  Uh - hope they work that bug out before mine is delivered.  I'd call it a P1.

My sister's new kitchen.  Ok - I am jealous