I really liked your "Prius Bragging Rights" piece and I feel relieved that young Americans think and feel differently about their cars.

I say differently because I have the impression (is it a wrong impression?) that the average American car owner thinks in terms of his material return for the dollar only. Remarks like "for the same money I can get a real car" or "shall I ever get a return for my investment in a Prius", are not rare in hybrid cars forums.