Yesterday, after about six months on the waiting list, we finally received our new car - a 2004 Toyota Prius, the redesigned gas-electric hybrid! So far we are really enjoying it.

It has both a gas and electric motor, which means that (to answer the most common question we get about it): NO, we don't have to plug it in. Hence the name "hybrid". When it needs to during driving, the gas motor cuts in both to power the drivetrain AND charge the battery. When not needed it cuts back out again, which feels a little funny (but cool) while driving when the car suddenly goes completely silent and you can glide around on electric power.

The car also has lots of bells and whistles that are very fun to play with. Like, a GPS Nav system, a cool screen display for all dash options like audio & climate control, built-in bluetooth handsfree for your cellphone, and "Smart Entry/Smart Start" which means the car "detects" the presence of the key in your pocket or purse and allows you to lock, unlock, and start the car automatically without taking the key out. We are really enjoying learning how to use all that stuff.

Our car is blue (called "seaside pearl") with ivory/brown interior. We plan to post some pics at some point.