Thanks for the feedback on the Prius. We priced them this past winter and it was $22,000 with basic features. I agree, the prices should be more affordable to the greater population. But Toyota is a large corporation and the demand is great, so there is no financial need to lower the price in the current climate.

I have a Santa Fe that will be paid for in September. Ideally, I would like to get 2 years of no car payments and then trade it in for a Prius. But my decision will depend upon how much gas continues to climb.