Why I Love my Prius (con't)
The other two – the MINI Cooper and, the Smart Car ranked equally high on my list of criteria. But, when I went through my check list carefully, only one car matched every point I was looking for: the Prius.
Aerodynamic design
For several reasons, least of which was its aerodynamic design I became the happy owner of a 2010 Toyota Prius. Yes, I admit to being a card carrying tree-hugging, holistic, organic, green freak. If I could, I would have a compost bin in my apartment. But it's also a bit of a paradox; I'm somewhat of a penny pincher and being green and organic can be costly. Owning my Prius though, allows for these contradictory ideas to co-exist harmoniously.
Keyless Entry/Smart Key
It’s no hype – the Prius gives me style, comfort and is easy on my wallet, and these days that's not just a bonus, it’s a must! The 2010 model is loaded with new advances in the original technology, including some safety options previously available only on pricier cars, like the luxury Lexus line.
Aside from the 50-mile-per-gallon truism, my four door, red Prius also has a ton of features that I find really useful and that are now being copied by other manufacturers. First is the keyless entry and smart key/“push start” power system that allows you to start the car without sticking a key into the ignition. Then there is the quiet, almost silent engine; theft deterrent/Engine immobilizer system and the fail-safe system that warns me if I left the engine on or prohibits me from locking myself out.
Prius Owners are Happier.... really!
Another cool feature, standard in the 2010 is the Bluetooth, hands-free phone system which allows me to safely speak on the phone without having to manually dial or take my eyes off the road to look for my phone.
While the Prius is a bit pricier than the Honda Insight (which by the way, I also checked out... and passed on), and the new Ford Fusion, I stand firmly by the car’s ability to give me a whole lot of bang for my dollar, even if it is on the higher end of the price meter.
I recently read that most Prius owners were happier, smiled more and most were women. Not surprising; though I don’t know if those facts are backed by numbers. However, I decided to conduct my own unscientific survey recently. As I drove around one day, I counted some thirty Priuses on the road and more than half of the drivers were women. Did they look happy? To me, yes. I know I am. Along with my need for wheels, my need to save (the planet and my dollars), is being satisfied.
