I started off with a '78 Chevette, which I bought in 1984. It got 35-40 mpg. My next car was an '85 Chevy Cavalier Type 10 5-spd, which I bought in 1988, and it got 30-40 mpg. Next came a '91 Saturn SL1 5-spd, which I bought in 1995. I cried at first, because it was delivering the low 30s; after I drove it in warmer weather, I got two consecutive 43 mpg tanks (northern Minnesota) and another 45 mpg tank in Colorado. Whew!

I got my first new car in August 1999, a '99 Civic EX 5-spd. WOW, a new car -- with so many luxuries. It was the first car with automatic windows, auto door locks, remote unlocking. It even had a CD player! I'd never even had a cassette deck! And that sunroof... it was love, and 25-38 mpg. But wait... what was that flashy little number that caught my eye? A Formula Red Insight? I ordered mine in January 2000. (I did not take delivery though... sad day.)

Then hubby broke his heel, summer 2001. Ouch! As he healed, the doc gave him the okay to drive... but no manual transmissions for a while. His car ('95 Escort wagon 5-spd) and mine were both manual transmissions... one had to go. We found a 2001 Prius on the dealer's lot -- unheard of in those days -- and bought it without a second thought. Much sadness... can't have three cars for only two people... so we sold my Honda Civic.

A month later (September 2001) I ordered my Civic Hybrid. The plan was to get it, decide which we liked better, and sell the other (we need to keep the wagon to haul hubby's canoe). My HCH arrived in May 2002. Another "wow". And guess what? It's impossible to choose between the Prius and the HCH! So ... nearly two years later ... we still have both of them! :-) Our Prius is averaging 43 mpg, and my HCH is averaging about 45 mpg, and we're very pleased.

peace,
Linda B)