I am very close to buying the TCH. My engineer friend (who owns a Prius) just pointed out something that is giving me pause: he mentioned that my commute is so short that I likely won't enjoy any real benefits of the hybrid technology on my commute. He said that the catalytic converter needs to warm up before MPG improves and that my 2-mil (10-15 minutes, depending on city traffic) commute isn't long enough.

I live in the SF Bay Area so we don't get snow. In summer it can get down to 50 at night; winter 30 (though mostly 55 summer, 45 winter).

Is this true? Will I not see much benefit from the Hybrid technology on a short commute?

Does the "thermos warm liquid" technolgy employed by the Prius II help? (I assume it is in the '07 Camry.) How much?

Thanks for your time...

(Note: Granted, this is a good problem to have from a big picture perspective (ie. I'm not complaining and feel for all of you out there with 2 hr commutes).