I read all about it in advance and it wasn't going to be me.
Yes, a study showed that the majority of the recent bubble in Prius ownership made their choice not based on fuel usage or global warming concerns - but that they, like the drivers of big-finned guzzlers of the past, wanted to make a statement.
I thought my statement was simply "paying more than $3 a gallon sucks" - neither geo, eco or political. I come from a long line of frugal types.
I love everything about my new job EXCEPT the reverse commute to the 'burbs where there is always a multi-lane, blood-pressure building, tie-up somewhere along the way. I've gone from one tank of gas a week to three and pumping those last two tanks creates a Gordian knot of muscles in my neck. When my CRV started dipping below 20 m.p.g. the choice was a new car, incessant chiropractic care or serious pharmaceuticals. The first option seemed the best to insure ongoing employment.
I joined what has become a rapidly growing horde on the Prius salesroom floor. I've been told that the recent news that a Pruis could be clocked at 100 m.p.h. - while not great news for late entry presidential candidates, has driven considerable showroom interest.
But that didn't matter to me.
It's not likely I'll ever drive it more than 72 m.p.h. going downhill in a 65 m.p.h. zone. After gas mileage, my greatest concern is an excellent stereo. When it turned out the great stereo was packaged with satellite navigation, a back-up camera and and iPod connection - I was sold. Especially when all the extras still came in well south of $30,000.
I ordered the car last week and made an appointment to pick it up on my lunch hour today.
Auto dealerships, as a rule, give me hives. When the car wasn't ready at the agreed time, I was "slightly agitated" (to calm me - they gave me two free oil change coupons and threw a large hunk of raw meat from a distance). I was in NO mood to be making any kind of statement with my vehicle. I wanted lunch and to get back to the office. NOW.
I ran through the "where is everything" checklist with the saleman and headed out - secure in the knowlege that someone behind me was making a comment on what kind of mileage I may be getting on my broom.
Halfway back to the office, cars on the 290 snaked to a 10 m.p.h. stop-and-start crawl with no end in sight.
I directed my agitated energy to the new touch screen and somehow the navigation system was replaced by a active diagram showing how the car was currently being powered by electric and getting 99.9 miles a gallon... (yes, I know that is not a "true" number, but darn it's impressive).
I adjusted the air conditioning by degrees using my the steering wheel controls. The stereo system perfectly separated John Pizzarelli's trio into the six speakers.
I was in a very good place.
I looked at the other drivers around me and smiled to myself. It was impossible not to notice that maybe a few of them might have wished they were me.
I tried to convince myself I just feeling a little smug.
But there was no denying the reality.
Say hello to the newest soldier in the Prius Pious Army.





Copyright 2007 Judi Griggs