Following a quick jaunt to Atlanta earlier this month, I now have a secret wish every time I travel for work – please, please, please let there be a Toyota Prius available at the rental car company. I am hooked, and I want one for myself.

I am not the kind of guy to gush over cars, or to pay attention to what’s hot on the lot. In fact, I still drive a Malibu that’s about 10 years old, and a lot of these new cars look goofy to me. (The boxy Element, the Dick Tracy-ish PT Cruiser.) But once my Malibu goes ka-put, I may have to splurge on a hybrid. The extra money I spend on the car payment, I can probably make up in gas mileage. On my last work trip, I averaged about 42 miles per gallon – all interstate, but going over mountains, as well as busy highways in Atlanta. Still, this has to be the first time I’ve ever driven to Atlanta and back for less than $40.

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