TheTonka gets another Prius

Hey everyone. My name is Mike and I now have two Prius's. I've been an off-roader and full size truck driver most of my life. I commuted on a motorcycle for 5 years until recently when problems with my shoulder got me off the bike and back into my F350 for my commute of 100 miles a dad. Needless to say that was a bit expensive. Last year we traded in my Wife's Jeep Grand Cherokee for a nice used silver Prius that has been great. With the great luck and experience we have had with that Prius we just bought another one, the green one.

I still think a Motorcycle is the best commuter, both economically and environmentally, but the Prius will do especially since I could not afford the Benz E320 CDI I really wanted and couldn't find a Jetta TDI I trusted.

As for me I am an AeroSpace test engineer and have worked in the Aerospace and test industry for some 20 years now. I have also worked as a car stereo and alarm installer including owning my own business while in College and part time after college. I am still an avid off-roader, though the shoulder problems preclude dirt bikes and Quads, luckily I still have my CJ5. I am also an obsessed homebrewer and recently started getting into smoking meat and making cheese, when time allows of course.

Anyway, got a bunch of questions which I will post lately. Here I am, you'll either love me or hate me.

 

Wifey's car

I was going to post pics of my accident in another thread and remembered that there had been requests in this intro.

First the new(ish) Prius. This is the wifey's. Pic is before the windows got limo tint.


This is what I can do with it:

 

Accident

Since wifey got the new(ish) Prius I got the old(ish) one. Unfortunately a week ago on my way to a friends grand opening of his brewery some jack@$$ in a motorhome went full on road rage and tried to run me off the road. He pull right up on my bumper, I slowed down to calm the situation, he tried to pass in the lane, and before I could get over(Ambulance in the way) he turned into me without ever completely leaving the lane we were BOTH in. Got a CHP report and they were looking for him. Car is in the shop, I'm in a rental and Insurance said they will waive deductable.

It was a nice clean car.

 

I'm used to truck mirrors of riding a motorcycle, so it took some getting used to. Not the best visibility out of the Prius, and without the Passenger mirror it's kinds scary.

 

Actually, when the guy hit my car I was going less than 55. Best way to cool down a tailgater is to slow down, or at least that is what I had always been told. When the motorhome turned into me I was going just under 50.

 

Repairs are going to cost $1960. Tough little car!

 

Re: Accident

Got the whole license plate, and turned it into the CHP. Don't know the current status, but at the time they were looking for him as I was giving my account to the officer.