if you'll believe it =P

I'm probably equally nerdy to the guys you were speaking of, though, so maybe you'll let me in.

Anyways, i'm (sadly) not a member of the club yet. My '96 toyota camry is slowly telling me that she doesn't like being older than 150k. she's not dead yet, and I could probably convince her to keep going for a few more years, but in all honesty? I want a hybrid.

I had pretty much decided on the Prius before discovering you guys - I'm a big Toyota fan, and while the car isn't the roomiest thing on the road, it would serve my purposes pretty well (and it looks like I can get some PHENOMENAL milage out of it, to boot!) Then I found you guys, and have found myself torn between the Prius and the Not-Out-Yet 2006 HCV. I'll be buying at the first of the year, because i'm not willing to pass up the credit. Money isn't tight, but it's not growing on trees either. So, what should I choose? Can I even really compare the two before you all get ahold of the new HCV?

I have no commute. I work from home, and for business related trips, we rent a moving truck (though I'm working on talking the husband into considering a HiHy for his next vehicle.) I drive to stores, friends, business meetings (a few a month, ~150 miles round trip, varying conditions) and we take more than our fair share of weekend (highway) getaways. I was 16 when I hydroplaned off I-95 into a retention pond, so a bigger car gets not just comfort votes (a big yay for hauling around potential clients), but peace of mind as well.

The other (kind of big) thing here is that I really want to be able to (eventually) convert my car to a plugin hybrid. I realize that this is probably not feasible, as my mechanical knowledge is less than a step above nil, but my husband is basically a glorified electrician (avionics work) so it's at least a possibility. I assume, just based on numbers, that the Prius has a better chance of being converted, since people have already done it. I just recognize the fact that I drive less than 25 miles a day say, 9 days out of 10, and that on day 10 i need to be able to take the highway to 100 miles away. A plugin hybrid seems MADE for me.

Any suggestions for the new girl? Sorry to toss so much info at you, but with my camry going to the shop (again!) on Monday, I've been prowling and you guys are inspirational to say the least. Thanks for everything!

Hi Geologyrox:

___That was a very nice introduction and you stated your wants and needs very well indeed …

___Given the 06 HCH is so close to release and the 06 Tax Credit makes either the Prius II or the HCH II a gimme in terms of waiting for them, I think you may want to wait until the 06 HCH is thoroughly real world tested by GH and other hybrid forum members before making a decision. Another automobile you may want to throw into the mix is the 07 Camry w/ HSD? Given your past history, it maybe actually be a better fit then either the Prius II or the HCH II but nobody knows much about it yet? It will definitely be more comfortable and probably more luxurious then either but you will lose a larger tax credit if any are left by the time the 07 Camry HSD arrives as well as the fact that its FE will not match that of the 06 HCH-II or Prius II. Very tough choices but good ones none-the-less.

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net

Hi Geologyrox and welcome!

I agree with Wayne that the 06 HCH's real world performance has yet to be determined, but there are already so many satisfied 05 and earlier HCH owners that are getting great mileage, I find it hard to believe you would be disappointed in the 06 HCH, or, of course the Prius.

I can only speak to my experience with the Prius, and I don't know if you've test driven one or not, but it's got a lot more room than you might expect! My mom drives I-believe-it's-a '99 Camry, and I hauled her, my fiancee, my sister, and a family friend around in the car for a couple of hours, and everyone remarked at how much roomier it was than expected. About a Camry-sized cabin room, was how my mom put it.

My fiancee is the primary driver of the Highlander and she absolutely LOVES it. Like you, she works out of our house but travels 100+ miles to San Diego to visit clients and take them to lunch occasionally, and the HH fits this need perfectly, for her. It's more plush than the Prius, and roomier. If she's not taking clients out, then she'll take the Prius instead for the better mpg.

No matter what your choice I'm sure you'll be very happy!

Rick