It will probably fade because you will be making repairs that you would not normally ever had to make simply because the car is older than any other car you have ever owned (not necessarily you but speaking in general). I still enjoy working on mine
when I have time. It seems like something goes down when I have the least amount of time to devote to it. On a side note - what is the deal with dogging Prius owners? EVERY Prius owner I ever talked to seemed pretty cool. It is the person driving alone in an overgrown SUV that has no need for the stupid thing in the first place that draws my ire (there are several at my work) - rant over.
Have fun with your new love and welcome aboard!