I'm once again a forum n00b

Warm greetings and Happy Holidays to the members at PriusChat. I just ordered my 2010 model V with nav today, and should have it in about 3 months. I work for Toyota, and last week I saw someone leaving the plant (TMMK in Georgetown, KY) and noticed their PriusChat.com sticker on the back window. They were driving a gray one, not sure what gen. I've been lurking here ever since I saw it.
Anyway, I'd like to thank that member, whoever they are, for advertising the site! Hope to talk to them in person someday.

I've been active on Toyotanation for some time now, but their Prius-specific forum seems to be really lacking in activity and meaningful content.

 

Thank you, I'm looking forward to rubbing virtual elbows with you folks!

Funny story (apologies, it's a long story) about my first encounter with a Prius.

It was Dec. 2007, and I was sent on business travel to work at the Toyota plant in Mexico where they build the Tacoma. My wife and I arrived in San Diego, and went to the Hertz counter to pick up our Corolla I had reserved. They asked if I'd like a Prius, and I said SURE! We sat in the car for a good 10 minutes while I was poking at the "Start" button, waiting to hear the engine roar to life. I finally realized I needed to have my foot on the brake first. Off we go, and drive a short distance to our hotel on San Diego bay. Park the Prius in front of the hotel, unload, and get the paperwork done. I go out to move the car, but the remote will not work. I mess with it for 10 minutes with no luck, then get on the phone to Hertz and demand they bring me a Corolla. I absolutely HATED the Prius by now. In the mean time, a guy working at the hotel asked to see the remote. I handed it to him, and like a magician, he pulled a hard key out of it. I cancelled my demand of a Corolla, and moved the Prius into the parking lot.
Come to find out, this is not an uncommon occurence in that area, because of the naval base just across the bay. Lots of interfering radio signals, evidently. Anyway, that was the only time we had trouble with it for our 2 week stay.
But, the story does not end here. Fast-forward 20 minutes. After we get the car parked and get unpacked in the room, we decide to go out for a walk. We walk a short way and see this guy in front of the Sheraton. He's walking in circles around this Prius, pointing the remote at it trying to get it unlocked. I was quite happy to come to his aid and show him the hidden key, telling him how we were in his shoes just 20 minutes before. Quite a memorable and funny experience.
My wife was scared to drive the Prius for the first few days there while I was at work in Mexico, but she finally decided to give it a go, and she fell in love with it. It did grow on me as well, and I couldn't believe the MPG I was getting. By the end of the trip, I absolutely LOVED the Prius!

 

Thanks guys!
Spiderman, sorry to disappoint you, but I probably know less than most people here on this forum. I've only been with Toyota for about 3 years, and don't have any inside knowledge of the cars that are built in Japan, only very limited knowledge of bodyweld operations in North America.

Tideland Prius: Are you also at TN under the same username? I could swear I remember seeing your name over there. I go by HomeGrown on TN.