Before owning one I thought the Prius was all hype and that people weren't saving any money by buying or leasing a new hybrid. Any savings in gas was offset by car payments. I still believe that, but I think if you can afford a new hybrid, or better yet find a used one for fairly cheap, the savings in gas will actually mean something.

After buying a used first-gen Honda Insight, I can't think of ever going back to conventional gas engine cars. I get average low to mid 50s in the city and upwards of high 70s on the freeway. My fill-up intervals are 5-6 weeks. Now with gas prices in SoCal going up again (what's up with that?), I think a hybrid is the way to go. When I see big single-occupancy SUVs or big pick-ups, especially lifted up ones--I don't mean work SUVs or trucks that people use because they need to but those that are status symbols--I think to myself "suckers"

But I still want an SL500!