Going green on a budget

With the hybrid car revolution growing stronger - welcoming new entries such as the Honda CRZ, Jazz and Insight hybrids and the Auris HSD and Lexus CT200h - for those wanting to leave a cleaner footprint but do not have wads of cash to buy any of the newer hybrids, there is always a pre-owned Toyota Prius. They are a bit

 of a rare find and if you are contemplating getting a unit, I'd recommend you first visit one of the bigger dealerships and ask for an electronic trace instead of hopelessly hopping from city to city searching.

The reason here is that when Toyota SA introduced these hybrids, they were a very new and foreign concept.

Toyota had to employ the characteristics of a Mother Hen when introducing the cars, leasing them to select individuals, all the while running extensive testing programmes. You'd have to be quite committed to the green cause - or is it the blue cause? - to buy a pre-owned hybrid.

These are cars with complex mechanical and electronic internals that shouldn't be seen with a backstreet mechanic looking under the bonnet to sort out minor niggles.

You'll have to check the car into Toyota for servicing or fault detection.

But if you want one regardless, you will find the Prius a very interesting car.

Positives are plentiful and include a well-structured cabin. Space is by the bucket load owing to its weird body shape which, believe it or not, is backed up by automotive science. And although it has many features, the dominating elements are the three power sources at play that give it movement. These are a 1.8-litre petrol engine; small electric motor and a battery rack spread in the rear floor.

The idea here is that as it runs, the petrol and electric motors charge the battery, which can be used when cruising in full electric mode in gridlocked traffic, or in townships where slow pace is the order of the day.

It's not a fast car, thus there is no theft reaction threatening a Prius. But it will save you fuel when driven sensibly, and it can be entertaining to drive silently, especially in townships, where you can sneak up on jay-walkers and shriek them out of bad habits by hooting at their heels.

Overall, it's a good car that drives comfortably, has all the modern safety requirements covered and is aimed at family usage.

I'm not convinced it can haul a Jurgens but perhaps it can cope with a small Venter. You'd have to check with the scientists at Toyota.

One big advantage of buying a pre-owned Prius is that the majority of drivers treated them with utmost care, so issues are likely to be minimal. Don't drop your guard though - I've seen some in shocking condition.

They cost between R200000 and R300000.