I was feeling like crap from being so dehydrated at Red Rocks last night, so I got to work around 11am. When I pulled into the parking lot, I was hoping to park in one of the highly-coveted shady spots under a tree. Thankfully, one was available and I grabbed it.

As I parked and looked beside me, I saw that I was parked next to the newer model Toyota Prius.

Here’s a shot of my first gen Prius next to the larger second gen model:

I read that something like 57% of people who have the new hatchback-looking Prius said they like the car because it “makes a statement” about the driver. In other words, it’s like a badge proclaiming that they care about the environment. Only 25% said they liked the car because of the lower emissions.

This is exactly why I wanted the kind that looks like a regular compact car. I care about the environment, but I’m not trying to prove anything with the car I drive. (See: Ted Danson in “The Anonymous Donor” episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm.) I don’t want to be like the hybrid-driving hippies in the “Smug Alert” episode of South Park. I love my new car so much, but I don’t ever see myself being one of those people who talks with my eyes closed while saying things like, “It’s just great to be part of the solution and instead of part of the problem.” I mostly wanna save gas money in my short drive to and from work every day.

There are a whole series of ads mocking the self-righteous Prius driver over at hybridcars.com. They’re pretty damn amusing. (If you check them out at that site, be sure to read the comments below. They’re funny on an entirely different level.)

My favorite is:

In case you can’t see it, the text says “Well, at least he drives a Prius.”

By the way, the quote at the top comes from Larry David in the “Wandering Bear” episode from season 4 of Curb Your Enthusiasm.