Odometer 9267 Mi Temp 19 F 10:20 PM "One Fat Cat and 3 Micro Cars"

This is what I call a hybrid: 2009 Fisker Karma

The car is priced at $87,900.

"The Karma has Fisker's "Q-Drive" powertrain with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and a lithium-ion battery pack. It's a setup that gives the car a range of 50 miles on electricity alone and then calls on a gasoline engine with a generator that charges the lithium-ion battery. Fisker says "most" Karma drivers who plan to charge the vehicle overnight and drive less than 50 miles per day will get a whopping 100 mpg in fuel economy, averaged over a year. Top speed is 125 mph."

I'm not a big fan of hybrids, and I wouldn't be caught dead in a Prius in its current form (the 2010 model I'll reserve judgement) since it drives like a microwave w/training wheels instead of real tires. The Karma I would make an exception. Anything that tops out a buck and quarter while sits 4 in style get the thumbs up from me. Talk about your fat cat.

However, if you are like me and most folks, the Karma is a bit out of our price range. Also, if it's fuel economy and style (better or worse) you crave, here's 3 micro cars to consider at considerably less coin...

Fiat 500:

Baring striking resemblance to the original 500 in the 50s, it's already becoming a charmer in Europe. Though not yet on sale in the U.S. But w/Fiat's partnership agreement with Chrysler LLC, you might see it on our shores soon.

Toyota IQ:

If you want to get an idea of how big the IQ is, think its next of kin, the 3 door Yaris. Now, take the image of the Yaris, shorten it by at least a foot, you'll be close. Just bigger than its Smart competitor, the IQ measures just 117.5 inches in length, 66.1 inches in width and 59 inches in height. Toyota claims it's the smallest 4 passenger micro car in the world. And at 56-MPG, it's slated to be on U.S shores in 2010, badged as a Scion.

Nissan Cube:

Straight out of Japan, it's 20 inches shorter then it's nearest Scion Xb competition. It's asymmetrical swing gate is a signature styling cue. Though bigger than the two cars previously mentioned and doesn't do as well in terms of fuel economy vs. the above; this one is still a charmer, in your anime sorta way.