Report on my new car...

     As you may recall, I just turned in my gas guzzling SUV for a brand new Prius.  I drove an SUV since 1993 and I was excited about the prospect of going green.  Besides the fact that the Prius gets about amazing gas mileage and is very earth friendly, it is also allowed to go in the Carpool lane on the highway for FREE. In Miami we also have something even more evil than the old fashioned carpool lane, we have 95-express. The two furthest left lanes of the biggest highway in the county are paid lanes.  You have an electronic pass on your car and when you drive in the express lanes, it charges you anywhere from a quarter to $7 or $8 depending on the traffic.  Hybrids and electric cars can drive in these lanes for FREE any time.  

    I drive in those lanes once or twice a week but mostly I burn tons of gas in local traffic and spend hours in  school carpool lines.  Hybirds are perfect for this as they don't burn gas at all when they are sitting still.

    I've NEVER driven a car as small as this one. I have to say that I LOVE it. I feel like I lost 50 pounds. It is zippy and quiet.  So far, so good.

   The Prius give you a little report when you turn it off.  I think it is bragging.  Here is an example...

I drove 3.1 miles in 17 MINUTES the other morning. At least I got 56 miles to the gallon. Good thing my new little baby has all the gadgets like bluetooth and satellite radio so I was not that bored. But seriously, 56 miles to the gallon. I'm about to say the dreaded words "ROAD TRIP!