Say hello to my new car Vixen!

What began as a fact-finding mission turned into an adoption/purchase. I wasn’t really, completely suckered by a nice salesman Jon. We’re still nursing a frickin’ rental because our Honda Fit was finally approved for its repair, again, remember, it wasn’t our fault, it was the person who couldn’t hang-up and drive. The Fit won’t be ready for another two weeks. Having to continue renting from Hertz any longer was influencing our decision, we better get reimbursed by dumb-ass’s insurance too.

So after we had lunch at the Round Rock Fuddruckers, we checked out the dealership where the Fit came from; they sell Toyotas, Hondas, Scions and Hyundais. Bumped into Jon, told him I was really just looking, trying to save up the down payment, etc. My heart was really set on a Prius C. He took us to the lot where all the Priuses were. I was bummed you can’t get them custom ordered like we did with the Fit. Toyota makes the dealers go with what is on hand via a distributor. All the neutral colors were a bit more expensive and had features I didn’t really want…heated seats, in Texas? However, there was a habanero model with the on-target package. One test drive later followed by Somara’s arm twisting, I was explaining how I was getting matters started through the local credit union (UFCU). Toyota offered the car for 2%! Slightly lower yet it was lower, every dime counts.

How much? With the maintenance I requested, I want this car to be as grief-free as possible after the ongoing nightmare my VW Golf was, about $25K. For a Prius, it’s a steal. The stereotypical model you see around has a base closer to 30. I was stoked over Toyota introducing a hatchback like the Fit, Golf, Fiesta, etc. I made a $2500 down payment and Toyota will finance the rest. As expected with the Maggi Republic, the plan is to pay it off early.

Why a Prius? We wanted a car for getting around Austin that was more efficient. The Fit will be repurposed as the long-distance car; extended weekends in the other big cities, a cross-country trip. It was also my first new car in 17 years. I was going to replace Bugs the  Rabbit (Golf) around 2006, it fell through due to us re-arranging our finances, making Somara’s education loans a bigger priority. Consumer Reports is rather full of crap about this car. It’s incredibly quiet, I keep waiting for Vixen to turn over when I power her up. With a Prius, when the dash says “Ready,” then the engine is ready to go.

Contrary to a know-it-all I used to associate with, hybrids are the smarter interim route until electric cars become more feasible. Diesel idles better than gas yet these vehicles aren’t not well designed for city driving. They’re predominantly highway cars. Plus my old VW mechanic Toby gave estimates on diesel’s maintenance. VW made a bad gamble and their cars just keep getting larger. There are negative stories going on about hybrids using rare earths, agreed. As I said before, these are the bridge vehicles. Tesla’s vehicles are getting cheaper, Toyota has an all-electric Prius exclusively in California and there are Nissan Leafs.

Why the name Vixen? It came to me this morning. No, not for the irritating to death Fox song making the Internet rounds. I based the name upon a superhero since I had to luck thinking of a cartoon rabbit (Lola is more pink damn it). Vixen has been a cool member of the JLA and Suicide Squad for over four decades. She first appeared in the early Seventies in Action Starring Superman. Vixen’s powers are similar to Animal Man’s except hers come through a totem-necklace. Her day job is usually a model but she isn’t vapid or skinny, Mari (her real name) is a confident, intelligent and brave heroine who has held her own alongside Batman, Bronze Tiger (ex-boyfriend), Martian Manhunter and Wonder Woman.

I can’t wait to give my nephews a ride in her before they leave for Qatar.