Featured Threads

My journey started in late 1999, when I came across a newspaper article mentioning a new approach to reduced emissions and improved efficiency. It was my introduction to Prius. I was intrigued. By April 2000, seeing an import of the Gen-0 model only available in Japan, I became obsessed. I had learned there were 20 of them which had been distributed to families across the United States to collect feedback from real-world driving. That feedback was used for the Gen-1 upgrade to be rolled out here that Fall. I put my deposit down when online ordering began, they started the agonizing wait.

First test-drive opportunity came in early August, upon which I ended up coining the term "Stealth Mode" from experiencing the Prius electric-only drive (up to 42 mph, back then). That following month, I took delivery of my 2001 Prius. The online battles started then. There was intense pushback from diesel supporters, which ultimately contributed to dieselgate. Hybrids were clearly a...