The Wait Is Over

USA Today reports that you can now buy a Toyota Prius right off the lot -- no waiting list. The popular hybrid gas-electric sedans are still selling like hotcakes, but for the first time since they hit the US market in 2003, production has caught up with demand. Sales have slowed a bit due to increased competition, slackening of gas prices and a halving of the tax credit on purchases. For all that, however, the sought-after Toyotas are snapped up in just 17 days, on average, as compared to a national average of 64 days. And for good reason: Not only are Priuses ranked tops in terms of owner satisfaction but Consumer Reports finds they also retain their value better than any other car on the market. Toyota, which will import more than 120,000 Priuses this year, hopes to expand the brand to include a whole line of hybrid models.