New Addition!

**Freedom** · 08-29-2008, 04:25 PM

Here is Carmine, picked her up last evening, Aug 28th. Ordered June 24th and after a LONG wait, she finally arrived.

Carmine: means red, and this CAR is MINE!
Edit: 2008 Toyota Prius, the gas / electric hybrid. 48 city, 45 highway.

Modifications thus far: (all brand new, never used until last evening when Carmine arrived home)
Wind chimes from rear view mirror:

License Plate Frame (hard to tell in the photo, it is red glitter):

For my house keys:

Mods planned:
mud guards (on order, already shipped out and on their way)
shark fin antenna
LCD protector from Nushield
Ventureshield paint protection (appt. already made)

**Karen** · 08-29-2008, 04:28 PM

Is she a Prius? What kind? What do the pooches think?

**Freedom** · 08-29-2008, 04:31 PM

Yes, 2008 Toyota Prius, Package #3. The pooches have not yet been in. It takes some adjusting, to learn to drive it well. It is almost like being on the Enterprise: LCD monitor and loads of icons on the dash. I may take them tomorrow. I've only driven it less than an hour thus far, the ever-changing display is FUN; you forget to watch the road!

**kimlovescats** · 08-29-2008, 04:31 PM

Very cute! I bet she gets good gas mileage too! Congrats!

**Freedom** · 08-29-2008, 04:35 PM

Yes, it is a gas / electric hybrid. Gets 48 city, 45 highway. I haven't dared try the highway yet.

**Daisy and Delilah** · 08-29-2008, 05:14 PM

CONGRATULATIONS SANDIE!!!! It's adorable-I love it. I also love your accessories. Please take a picture of all the dogs in there. I know it will be priceless.

p.s. I almost fainted when I saw the title of the thread. All I could say to myself was, "No She Didn't!!!"

**jennielynn1970** · 08-29-2008, 06:03 PM

OMG!!! Carmine is GORGEOUS!!! I love the Prius, and want one so bad (just can't afford one right now, lol). That color is just divine! I love all the accessories too!

I have a Nissan Versa, which is like the Ugly Cousin to the Prius, lol. It gets decent mileage, but that's about all I can say for it, lol.

You definitely need to post more pics, and tell us what it's like with all those bells and whistles that your baby has!

**Ginger's Mom** · 08-29-2008, 06:43 PM

Congrats!!! She is gorgeous. I am jealous. It's going to be a bit hard putting the pups in there the first time. I would love to get a hybrid. You have to come back and tell me what you think of it after about two months.

**Freedom** · 08-29-2008, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by Daisy and Delilah

p.s. I almost fainted when I saw the title of the thread. All I could say to myself was, "No She Didn't!!!"

He hee, I had fun with the title of this thread, yes. Thought the forum would be a clue.

Thanks all for the good wishes.
My 1998 Honda Civic 2 door with over 98,000 miles needed some work; and I needed 4 doors among other things. It was time for another car, and once I started to research . . . .

**Rachel** · 08-29-2008, 07:25 PM

Congratulations. I'm curious on the *electric* part. Do you recharge a battery by plugging it in at your house. If so how much will that run up your electric bill?

**moosmom** · 08-29-2008, 07:27 PM

Nice wheels!!!! Love the color.

**chocolatepuppy** · 08-29-2008, 07:48 PM

Cute car Sandie!

Good luck with it. Let us know how the gas mileage goes.

**Freedom** · 08-29-2008, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by Rachel

Congratulations. I'm curious on the *electric* part. Do you recharge a battery by plugging it in at your house. If so how much will that run up your electric bill?

No, this is not a plug in. The battery is recharged from friction from the front tires, and from regenerative braking; power which is normally "lost" in an internal combustion engine set up.

The ENGINE provides electricity by igniting gasoline to rotate the generator-motor. You can observe process this on the Multi-Display. As you drive along, electricity is created whenever the engine is providing thrust to the wheels. It's how the power-split device (Planetary-CVT) was designed to work. The engine runs at an optimum RPM, to save gas. Typically, that RPM is more than what is needed to propel the vehicle. So any extra electricity that results is routed to the battery-pack for recharging. This means the charge-level will usually remain high, even when climbing a hill.

The BRAKES also provide electricity. This is done by using excess kinetic energy to rotate the generator-motor. You can observe process this on the Multi-Display too.

You can see the displays on this comical interactive site:
http://priusfuture.toyotahighway.com/

Once you "enter" the Prius, click on anything which is highlighted for fun. Click on the LCD monitor to see how that actually works; they didn't do anything funny with this part!