# Anyone driving a hybrid?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-driving-a-hybrid/63192>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [April 24, 2001, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-driving-a-hybrid/63192 "2001-04-24T21:44:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2001, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-driving-a-hybrid/63192/1 "2001-04-24T21:44:45Z")

</div>

I’m particularly interested in your experiences, if any, with the Toyota Prius.

A search on hybrid brought up [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=63410) thread that briefly digresses into the theory of hybrids. I’m more interested in hearing from people who’ve actually driven them.

I’m intrigued by the Prius. A small portion of me that occasionally hugs trees thinks that this might be a better alternative than a huge, lumbering, gas guzzler. But more importantly, the cheapskate in me likes the idea of getting mega-miles to the gallon. Especially in light of rising gas prices lately.

I’m not ready to go out and buy one yet. At 21 grand it’s a little pricey for me right now. But I have to say that it’s awfully tempting.

So, what do you think? Is it a good car?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![osweetman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@osweetman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/osweetman)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2001, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-driving-a-hybrid/63192/2 "2001-04-24T22:10:03Z")

</div>

Other than it being a car that only a sissy would drive? :)…just kidding My uncle really likes his Insight, would you be averse to a 2-seater?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jessicala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb9ed0/32.png) [@jessicala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jessicala)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2001, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-driving-a-hybrid/63192/3 "2001-04-24T23:08:55Z")

</div>

I’m planning to get one later this year. We test-drove one when it first came out, and liked it, except for two things: the road noise, and the lack of cruise control. I really liked the heads-up display, and the car is bigger inside than it looks like it would be.

Last month we went car shopping and found out that next year’s model WILL have cruise control, and that older versions will be able to have this installed. We should be able to pre-order it in July or August and have it delivered in December or January, which is right about the time I’ll be getting rid of my current car, so it works out nicely.

By the way, that’s another big drawback: the six-month wait after you order it. Our salesman told us that it varies slightly depending on the color.

As for the price, I was also looking at Camrys, Passats and Accords, and they all run in the high 20s. It looks like I can get a loaded Prius for about the same price as a baseline Camry/Passat/Accord.