Two years ago this week, when
Two years ago this week, when gas prices hit $4 per gallon, I drove my 2010 2WD Tacoma (24 MPG) into my Toyota dealer and said, "Driving 35,000 miles a year is killing me. Whattaya got that's a respectable vehicle?"
Dealer: "Prius!"
Me: "Yeah, right. My kids would laugh me out of the house."
Two hours later I drove away in a new PLUG-IN Prius. The combination of big rebate, 0% financing, $2500 off, and the federal tax credit made it a no-brainer. I now save enough on gas to rent a pickup truck once a year when I need to buy a load of manure. And my kids always ask to use my Prius because they hate buying gas more than I do.
The last thing I said to my dealer was, "Why in hell haven't they made a Plug-in -- or at least a hybrid -- Tacoma??? It would sell gangbusters. He didn't have an answer. Your article helps explain why, but my friend has owned a Highlander hybrid for three years. Get on it, Toyota!