[manasecret]

Now is a dangerous time to buy a car. Why? Because gas prices are relatively low. Once the economy recovers, and as the Chinese and Indians continue to pull themselves up to 1st-world-status, expect the demand for oil to go way up and the supply to stay the same. In other words, higher gas prices at the pump. IMHO.

So when buying cars now, don't think about the price of gas now, think about what it will be a year from now -- two years from now -- ten years from now. Because considering your previous '89 ride, you will likely have the car for at least a decade if all things go as planned. The gas price then is more important than now.

So, in my opinion, looking at a high mileage car is the way to go. I love the Priuses for that, and the 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid is getting rave reviews for about $2000-$3000 less than the Prius.

IMO the Prius and Insight aren't pretty, and they're definitely a weak ride vs. even a 4 cylinder small four-door. But the Priuses have improved their power, and I've read the Insight feels even more powerful than that.

The hatchback design is what makes it look so ugly for me. But the hatchback design is very useful for hauling in the absense of a flatbed truck. When I bought my 46" LCD flatscreen, the big ass box wouldn't even fit in the back seat let alone the trunk of even a spacious Camry. The back of the Prius? It slid right in cool as a fool in a swimming pool, with room to spare. Hatchbacks are great.