I’ve been leading the No Car Revolution for almost 10 years.

December 1999, I graduated Carolina. Summer 2000, I packed up my apartment, sold my 1997 Saturn SL1 and moved to Chicago — where I lived for 4 years depending on the Brownline, Redline and the Clark bus. I moved back to Carrboro, NC in 2004 to open the DSI Comedy Theater and, for the past 6 years, I’ve used FREE public transit to navigate Chapel Hill and Carrboro. I walk a lot, I rent cars when I need them, and I have a lot of AWESOME friends (who ALL know I don’t didn’t own a car).

But although it’s been great to have Enterprise Rent-a-Car on speed dial, and it’s been incredibly convenient that the employees (even the new guys) know what car I prefer, the handful of places I normally get picked up and my personal relationship history, Long story — it was time to move on.

I was going to buy or lease a car before the summer.

I knew what I wanted but tried to check other options. I own a business in the most sustainable green-conscious town in North Carolina so no SUV for me. A hybrid was a clear choice, but which one? I went to Crown Honda with my friend Paula and tested both a used 2008 Civic and a 2010 Insight. Neither of these cars impressed me. They are hybrid engines, but gas first. I went to Mark Jacobson Toyota by myself and, after walking the lot for 45 minutes, tested just one car. A 2010 Black Prius V. It averaged 50 mpg, had wicked LED headlights, AND the best part, it sounded like a Ninja Spaceship when I drove it.

I still don’t understand what it’s like to have a car outside that you can use anytime you need to. I was without a car (2000-2010) for LONGER than I owned a car (1993-2000). Crazy. But NOT AS CRAZY as the car I got. It has a smart key that just unlocks the door when I walk up to it and a secret camera for when you’re in Reverse. Maybe not super impressive, BUT … It has an optional parallel parking feature, It can establish a bluetooth connection with my iPhone, and something called Lane Keep Assist (LKA) which uses a camera to track the lane and keep you within the lines AND Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) which automatically decreases and increases speed when cars merge / cut you off. Wtf?

WELCOME TO THE FUTURE!

And I AM CONVINCED (with these features and more) that I did not pick my car…

I BELIEVE that My Prius profiled and picked ME.

Prove me wrong.