We got in on the $3150 tax credit before it's cut in half today. This is our second week and we experimented a little with the rise to 40mph and coast back to 30 and back up to 40. We just did it about a mile after we filled up and we were registering over 53 mpg. For our first 750 miles, we are just over 49mpg.
We had a 99 Civic and we thought we would prefer a Civic Hybrid. We drove a Civic EX and loved it. But when we drove a Civic Hybrid, it felt like an add on car, plus there was very little trunk space. The Prius felt much more like a complete high teck design plus it has way more room inside.
I used to build solar homes in the Sierra mountains. I teach robotics, recording. and art at a charter HS now. I'm applying for a $10,000 grant from BP for teaching alternative energy to HS students. One of the things we plan to do is build a solar dog house since you can include all the home systems.

Chuck

 

I'm glad you got to test drive first and are happy with your choice. Welcome to the forums!