Actually, the Priuschat tech forum reminds me a little of the diesel forum here. There are warnings to watch out for inverter pump failures in the early models; instructions on transmission fluid change; information on system voltage; etc., etc. If you want to maintain the car yourself, you'll find all the info you need to keep it out of the service bay.

The Prius is a high-tech car, and it attracts a certain type of gearhead just like a certain group of DiYers appreciates the OM617. At the same time, the Prius gas engine is just a little four-banger like so many millions of others Toyota has made. It's easy to stay on top of. The cars aren't without their flaws, but overall they're well engineered. I just wish they laid out the engine bay so that I could get my ham fists into tight spaces a little more easily.

As for Honda, I've never been able to figure out their hybrid marketing strategy. They started out with the original, distinctive-looking Insight, then switched to putting hybrid drive trains in their standard models. Now they're back to the hybrid-only lines. They also hooked some cars up with manual transmissions when they have a perfectly good CVT that would produce better mileage. I guess it's all about giving the buyer a choice, but it's probably cost them sales to people who base their choice on the EPA sticker.