Toyota Prius - Great despite recent problems

We recently moved further away from my work, which obviously increased my commute to work each day. I've been thinking about getting a more fuel-efficient vehicle for a while now. I owned a Chrysler 300, which was a good car, but got less than 20 MPG.

The recent move and subsequent increase in gas made me start looking a lot more seriously at trading in my car.

I really had my eye on the new Aptera...

But it didn't look like there would be one available in my area anytime soon.

Then I considered waiting around for the Chevy Volt (despite my confusion and anger about GM and the old EV-1 vehicle debacle).

Again, the actual production date seemed to keep slipping out.

Another concern I had was the risk of getting the "first" version of any new vehicle, especially one with new technology or features. I didn't want to be in the shop more than on the road.

Ironically, many of the recent problems with the Toyota Prius made me consider getting one, since I thought I could get a good deal on a used one (assuming all the recall upgrades have been installed and fixed the issues).

I was able to find a good deal on a 2008 Prius, with 25,000 miles for around $16,000 (less than Blue Book value). That was more affordable than I imagined, since my perception was that a used Prius would still be in the low to mid-20s.

I've had the car for one month, and I have no complaints. Except one.

I had a hard time getting it started. I didn't realize that you had to have your foot on the brake, otherwise it wouldn't start. I almost had it towed, thinking something was wrong. Since it is partly electric, the push button start and lack of running motor when stopped have taken a little getting used to.

I'll give you my numbers, to show you how affordable one might be, and hopefully you'll look into it as well.

With my trade-in and amount owed, I had to pay an extra $1000, so it cost me $17,000 total, but that was less per month (about $70) than I was paying now (due to good interest rates on late model vehicles right now).

In addition, I am saving money at the pump. I have been averaging 45 MPG, so I'm cutting my gas costs in half (about $50 per month). Most importantly, I'm cutting my carbon footprint and emissions.

So overall, I have a newer vehicle, I've reduced my footprint (compared to what I would be emitting with my new commute distance), and I'm saving over $100 per month.

Planet Earth gets a "beat-down" this month!

This was suppose to be the 40th anniversary of Earth Day this month, however, there were three major tragedies this month related to environmental issues.

1) Coal miners killed in West Virginia explosion - tragic explosion thought to be brought about by a methane leak in a West Virginia coal mine has left 29 dead.

2) Oil rig fire and subsequent spill in Gulf of Mexico - Still ongoing, as a fire erupted on the oil rig, killing 11 workers, and is now spilling 5,000 barrels of oil into the Gulf, which is headed towards nearby coasts.

3) Coal-carrying ship damages Great Barrier Reef coral - coal-carrying ship ran aground on Douglas Shoals in the Great Barrier Reef. The ship was inside a marine protected area. It then rammed into the reef, and leaked about 4 tons of heavy fuel causing a roughly 3 km oil slick, and the damage it did to the reef will take 20 years to repair.

Forget about climate change for a minute. If you don't care about the planet, or are opposed to clean energy, the events of the last month should make you change your mind. If you can't see that these are dangerous occupations for those who work in them, cause pollution, and the risk to national security and increase in terrorism we take on while accessing these fuels, then you are a lost cause.

Maybe if we take away all the gasoline, and shut off the electricity to your house, will you start to think differently. Don't change your mind for the planet, change your mind because it's the right thing to do for humanity.