[elhigh]

For moving big loads, hire a van or truck. Unless you spend a lot of time moving big things, in which case I wonder that you're spending any time at all even considering a Prius.

As much as I like the Prius in general, I wouldn't consider a first-gen Prius in any case. They learned a lot with that first generation - which is to say, that first generation wasn't everything you could hope for. Second-gen and up, says I.

I find it very hard to believe that the government could make such rules that would effectively disallow the vehicle you already own. To make rules that would prevent you buying one as your next vehicle, that I can understand. But to obviate the ride you have in hand, well - that's not right. It's like outlawing a certain kind of shoe when that might be the only pair you own. You cannot go get new shoes because you don't have allowable shoes to wear while shopping.

There must be some kind of grandfather clause that would permit you to keep rolling in your existing car.