Short term fix: Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic.

Plain ol' gas burners that get 35-40 mpg day in and day out. Proven models. Not as hip as a Prius, but who cares? You can pick up one with low miles for 12 grand, and get nearly as much mileage out of a tank.

To me, the Prius doesn't pay for itself quickly enough to justify its substantially higher cost over the Civic and Corolla.