I've continued to speculate about the signaling aspect. That is, a hybrid (specifically, a Prius) being a way to purchase a small car without looking "unsucces

I've continued to speculate about the signaling aspect. That is, a hybrid (specifically, a Prius) being a way to purchase a small car without looking "unsuccessful". Unfortunately, I live and work in an area where such reactions can negatively influence your ability to "get things done". More recently, the new Mini's have started appearing, possibly as another small car that avoids undesired "signaling". They are not that cheap, and they are "fun"; small is ok, if it's "fun". Some years back, the BMW 3 series straddled this signaling line, to some extent. It was a small, less expensive Beamer (not quite there, yet?), but it was a Beamer and also made a certain sense for the sole commuter.