Click above for more high-res shots of the 2007 Toyota Prius Touring

There is more than just the high price for a gallon of gasoline which is weighing heavily on the nation's economy. The housing slump has been hitting hard as well, with many homes sitting unsold for much longer periods and selling for significantly less money than just a few years back. So, considering these two markets are both undergoing similar pains, why not combine the two and offer a fuel-sipper with the purchase of a high-priced home? That is what two Maryland women have decided to do by offering to give away a Toyota Prius with their $595,000 three-bedroom colonial built 1907 and located in Easton, Maryland. The mother and daughter duo had planned to sell the home after making various improvements, as they have done in the past. Now that it is complete, though, it is sitting on the market.

"We're losing money on the house, and the Prius only adds to losing money, but we also realize it's time we really got to sell the house," says Catherine Poe, the owner. She says she would be willing to keep the Prius and reduce the house accordingly, but hopes to get more attention with the car. Considering that we've found the story interesting enough to post, we'd imagine her strategy has proved successful.


[Source: CNN via GM Inside News]

For decades, police and lawmakers have been trying to crack down on excessive noise from cars, whether it came from wide open exhaust or audio systems. Many places have drive-by noise standards. My own town has an ordinance that if an officer of the law can hear a car stereo from more than about 50 feet away, the driver can get a ticket. Now lawmakers may have to establish minimum noise levels for cars to make sure we can hear them. With the increasing number of hybrid vehicles and the approach of various kinds of electrics, virtually-silent cars are becoming more prevalent. Growing up we told to stop, look and listen before crossing the street. For those who are blind, looking is out of the question and listening yields no useful information for these types of vehicles (see this post). A Maryland Senate committee will hold a hearing this coming week on a bill that would create a task force to study the issue and possibly impose a minimum noise level for vehicles in the state. Hopefully whatever solution they come up with is less annoying than those back up warning beeps they have on many trucks and some cars - I'm looking at you, Prius.

[Source: Automotive News-Sub. req'd]