I love my Prius

So I've been driving my Prius for about three months now and I must say that I LOVE IT! Here's why (not in order of importance):

1. with my old Passat, I had to fill up with super-unleaded gas once a week. 12 gallons of super unleaded gas=$$$! Now I fill up with gas about every two weeks, 9 gallons of REGULAR gas that generally costs less than $30. Less money spent on gasoline is less money sent to Iran and Saudi Arabia.

2. The Prius has forced me to think about HOW I drive as well as how much I drive. I accelerate more slowly, definitely try to get into the pulse-and-glide mode, and make a game of upping my gas mileage. So far I haven't managed to get over 45.5 mpg, but I am trying!

3. I will admit that driving the Prius is not NEARLY as much fun as the Passat. I can't power around other cars or zip onto the freeway anymore. That IS kind of a drag. However, did I mention 45 mpg? I can SO live without the zip. I'll leave that to the teenage boys in their raised trucks. Besides, if I need to climb a hill, the Prius can do it handily. and did I mention 45 mpg?

4. Although I have REALLY been trying to avoid the Prius "smug" factor, I will admit that I mentally make notes about every raised truck or frenzied teenager zipping down the road. I try to keep the smug factor as an internal dialogue. However, I continue to freely and openly hate on Hummers, which I did even before I owned the Prius.

5. Finally, this new car has a hook-up for my iPod! No more burning CDs just to play in the car! This may seem like an insignificant point, but I LOVE my music, and now it is sooooo much more convenient.

6. I love sneaking up on people when I'm in EV model. I feel futuristic, like I drive a car from "Gattaca."

7. Did I mention 45 mpg??