what makes it even better is when you can go solo in the HOV lane simply because you drive a hybrid. It's especially pleasing when you get the angry stares from the gas-guzzling cars stuck on the Interstate parking lot and then pass a police officer when they are thinking "haha, now they caught you" and the police just waves at you.

and that it cuts your drive time in half or close to it sometimes.

giddyee-up. I love my prius. Now if only there were a toyota repair shop worth a flip...

Does this really demonstrate a rebound in hybrid car sales? It could simply indicate that hybrid sales, in absolute terms, have remained the same while the rest of the car market has declined. They might even have declined, just at a lesser rate than the rest of the market. Or am I reading it wrong?

How about making a hybrid car that doesnt look like a car that will carry 20 clowns in it!!! Im waiting for something that still looks like a car not a space ship!!! My wheels are getting close to be recycled.

I've had a Prius since 2001, the latest being a 2004 with over 110k miles, with zero repairs needed. The cost of fuel is somewhat irrelevant, inasmuch as when work is scarce, cheap gas is a relative term. We don't have HOV lane preferences for hybrids in the Northeast yet, but they're undoubtedly on the way.

Yes, I do feel smug when being passed by SUVs, or when passing them at the gas station.

I wonder how many of the January sales are from repeat buyers? That would be the real proof of the pudding.

I, for one, like the styling of the Prius, but would also like to see a hybrid MR2 or other 2-seat sporty car introduced.

Why not just take the drive train out of the weird looking hybrid cars and put it in the ones someone would like to drive. There would be more buyers. Problem solved.

i look forward to a fuel cell vehicle i can hopefully afford in the near future..my brother was a hydrogen cell advocate all his life..before they were being considered, so i feel i must purchase one in his memory..but in the meantime, why not let those paying for their carbon footprint thru terrapass get some advantages like hybrid owners? ..maybe people would start paying for terrapasses until they get their alternate fuel cars

The answer is totally electric autos. It's the only choice.

All types of vehicles have their purposes. I still drive my 2001 Prius (140,000 miles) and it suits me fine, especially at 400 - 500 miles at 10 gallons. In the beginning it had some warranty work and I totally changed the tires for 60,000 miles per change instead of 20,000 miles. The car has proven to be 100% dependable and it is fun to drive (with the new tires).

We bought a 2009 Nissan Altima for my wife because she drives 5 miles to work and any Hybrid would be stupid. On the other hand, it gets 31 on the highway (27 with AC) and has a 20 gallon tank. This means over 500 miles on trips per tank. She even gets 20 MPG driving 5 miles to work which means I fill it up every 6 to 8 weeks. 4,000 miles a year @ 10-12 fill ups a year. This car fits the bill for us.

If I needed a truck, however, I would have to buy one. If I needed a van to carry 7 people, I would have to buy one. I don't need a H3 Hummer (15mpg) but my brother thinks he needs one. What can ANY ONE person do? Yes, I feel sorry for those who must drive these vehicles, but all things being practical, the Prius is the car for me. The Altima is the car for my wife (but she likes the Prius, too). The other vehicles are what the others want, even when they don't need them.