By Howard Eskildsen
Like many people we know, cars driven by both an engine and a battery seem like a transient abomination on the way to something better. There were rumors of problems with those cars and the formidable cost of replacing a battery that had us running scared of such things, the Toyota Prius seemed to be the embodiment of all our fears and prejudice.
With that mindset we recently flew from Orlando, Florida, to Portland, Oregon and arrived just before midnight local time (3 AM our time). After getting our luggage we went to Avis for our rental car, where all the fun began.
We signed in at the counter and found out that for our “midsized car” reservation we had the option of electric vehicle or a Prius hybrid. A delightfully naughty French word flashed through my mind as I asked if they had any cars that were not electric or hybrid. A minivan was available; no thanks, we reluctantly agreed to take the Prius. OMG, what if my friends found out! “The keys will be on the dash, the cup holder or, somewhere,” the clerk assured us.
On the third floor we found our jet-black Prius with a large splat on the hood. Apparently, some bird had thought about as highly of the vehicle as we did at the time. The trunk appeared to have room for one suitcase and a Kleenex, but somehow, I managed to wedge in a carry-on case as well and still get the hatch closed. Now to figure out how to start the thing…after we found the damn key fob!
Sure enough, the fob was “somewhere” in the car, but not on the dash, in the cup holder, in the glove compartment nor under the driver’s seat. My wife, Fairy, looked under the front of her seat. Well, “merde!” Only I said the English version of the word.
Finally, I went to the guard at the gate and explained the problem. He resembled a character from “Hee Haw” and drawled, “Oh, the key is in there all right.” I asked if he had any idea where, and he gave essentially the same answer as the clerk. “Well, I can’t help you look for it,” he stated,” but I’ll get the lieutenant to come check.”
Shortly, a fellow resembling Junior Sample appeared in uniform and immediately declared, “Oh the key’s in here alright.” The instrument panel’s unfamiliar markings somehow told him so. He checked all the areas we had just told him it wasn’t, then went to the back passenger door, slid the front seat forward and said something to the effect: “Well, here it is, lookie here!” Of course, why wouldn’t under the back of the front seat be the first place anyone would look?
With the key fob in hand now all I had to do was figure out how to make the darn thing run. “Well, just put it in gear and step on the gas,” was his response. It sounded like instructions for the bumper car ride at a circus. The park brake light was on and pushing the button did not release it. The shift options were R-N-D and another one marked “B.” What?
A little experimentation revealed that the park light went off when the gear lever was moved, and I didn’t have to shift into neutral to get from reverse to drive. I gently pressed on the accelerator, and it began to move; then the engine started. What the hell?
The guard checked our papers, admonished us to turn on the lights since they were not automatic, and then waved us through. I’m not sure, but there seemed to be a slight smirk on his face as he shook his head while he watched us drive through, then stop momentarily to get our destination entered in Waze, before exiting the garage.
It was dark out; I was sleep deprived, and the car seemed to have a mind of its own. Fortunately, the traffic was light and the roads familiar as I followed directions to our destination. About 10 miles into the trip, I finally figured out a clumsy way to use the cruise control; it was significantly different from any I had ever used before. What a pain!
After that, things went smoothly through Portland and on to Forest Grove, much to my surprise. Wow! The car had automatic dimming on the headlights, steering was solid and responsive with lane assist, it had automatic separation from cars ahead, and it had excellent acceleration when needed. Worse than that, it had a very comfortable ride. Wait a minute, there was no way I was going to let this car seduce me into actually liking it!
During our stay we drove a little over 1,000 miles through all kinds of conditions, including wind and rain, on freeways, through towns and farmlands, and on winding mountain roads. When I checked the mileage from Forest Grove, Oregon, to Coos Bay and back, we got over 56 mpg. I was a little embarrassed when a gas station attendant filled up the tank with a mere 4.8 gallons. I nearly asked him to burp it for me.
When the time came to return to the airport everything about the car seemed automatic as if it were anticipating my needs. The shift gear was really cool, and I came to like the cruise control better than on any other cars. Best of all the fuel cost was less than half of what I had anticipated.
The little black Prius rested stoically, ready to convert the next unbeliever, as I checked in at the car rental. The next time a rental clerk asks me if I would like a Prius I am going to say: Hell, yes!
Eskildoodle Photos and Feelings 