Our Prius may be killing me

Oh how I hate to even pen this topic. I feel I am betraying the movement that I so embrace. I mean what better car to have in this economy? We were so excited when we got this new car. I have to add in here that I am a car dealer’s daughter, who was raised playing Barbie’s in the back of new, gas guzzling American luxury cars. In an ironic twist, we as a family do not buy new cars. The reasons are obvious; retail is for chumps, people. The moment you drive that new car off the lot, cha-ching; listen, you can hear your money flying out your tail pipe!

With that said, my in-laws called, leading up to my husbands 40th milestone birthday and shocked me. They asked what would he like for his birthday. I said, I don’t know, maybe an IPhone from Apple? This would perk him up. They called back and said, “We have an idea. How about a car!” I thought they were kidding, but then I realized that I was talking to my Jewish fairy godmother (also known as my Step Mom-in-law). It was a crazy idea. Far too difficult to pull off, on such late notice. It was in the heat of last summer’s gas crisis and Prius’ were flying off the dealer lots! It was impossible to hide from him and our boys. Let’s do it!

Cars are my family’s life. I worked at my Dad’s dealership as a kid doing everything from trash collection to filing invoices. I learned how to rattle off the long brand list for every phone greeting at the tender age of 6. I was on commission for any sales I initiated at that age too (on the home company phone line). I was a car dealers kid. I was a valet during college to make extra money as well. I drove it all, including an English style Rolls Royce. Just before staying home, I did a stint as a fleet buyer for a large Corporation. I could chat it up with the dealers, no problem. I was the right person for the job.

I began thinking there would be room to negotiate—pipe dream! Toyota could care less who you were or which one you wanted. It was a sellers market and they knew it. I tried to get details on units coming into customs at the docks in LA. I knew how to get the cars first; they just weren’t dropping. I was hoping to get a shiny red one. I mean it needs to be a classic color.

I got a call about the perfect red one, but I had to call my in-laws to confirm before inking the deal. In that five minute phone call, I lost the car to someone already on the lot. So the next day I went down and decided it was time to “lick a car”! You know, like when your Mom puts the pancake down and you lick it to keep your siblings from stealing it off your plate? Stay with me.

I see the perfect car out of the 4 or so on the lot. It is really the only one that will work of the choices. Plus we are headed into a holiday weekend sale. While I am talking to the sale manager I see a man eyeballing the sticker on my husband’s future car. I interrupt the man talking to me with, “That’s great, can you just get the keys to that car. I want to buy it.” He continues on his spiel, the sales pitch which (as a dealer’s daughter) I am completely immune to. I interrupt again, same request. He continues on and now I bang my fist on the desk, as I see the man outside now talking about this car to another salesman out on the lot. In time with my fist banging ever so gently I say, “Get the keys. Get the key! I’ll talk to you about anything you want, after you get the keys, please.” I get the wacko look. I’m a middle-aged woman; ask me if I care.

It was so much fun to surprise someone you love. And my husband is not someone expecting anything like this. I told him to update his Amazon list to throw him off. The crew at the dealership gave us some goodies like hats and such and the finance guy was hilarious as he came out to ask, “How the hell do I get someone to buy ME a car?” They kept the secret and on that lovely afternoon after a wonderful lunch with friends and family at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, my husband gave the valet his ticket to get his 1998 Buick. What came out, per our arrangements, was this shiny new Prius with a big red bow on top. My husband had no idea it was even his! His father put his arm around him and said, “Son, happy birthday.” It was a moment I will not soon forget. If you ever get the chance to see such a thing, it is really just great. It wasn’t about the money; it was just such generosity and love. Plus for me, I know what we sacrifice to give to our kids and let me stay at home with them; a new car was out of the question. My husband had never even had a new car, nor have I. My In-laws ROCK!

With that said, we are delighted with the gift. But not to look a gift horse in the mouth, there is a problem. When I get in the car for longer drives with him, I feel sick. It came on slowly as a headache and some nausea. It seems to be worse in Phoenix during the hot months. The car was manufactured more than a year ago and the smell persists. The other night we were returning from an hour trek across our vast city and it hit me hard.

The headache was almost immediate upon entering the car, the nausea was terrible and ended the moment I got out of the car and got some clean breaths. The headache persisted for days without over the counter meds relief. It’s official; I am allergic to our Prius. This kills all possibility of planned road trips for now. I have an email into Toyota addressing this issue. The web has sites where apparently the Prius tests very high in some toxins and others have this problem too. Rolling down windows and not re-circulating the A/C are recommended. Our country has no serious standards addressing this issue—bring on the toxic chemicals!  I will let you know as any updates.