Prius Frenzy

(CBS)  The Toyota Prius is white-hot.

Sales of the ultra-fuel-efficient hybrid model have followed gas prices through the roof, Early Show national correspondent Hattie Kauffman reported Thursday as part of our series, "Running on Empty."

She says buyers not only like the money they could save on gas -- they like helping the environment by driving the hybrid.

The Prius is so hard to get hold of, dealerships are even seeing bidding wars almost reminiscent of when the housing market was also sizzling, Kauffman observes. Customers are offering thousands of dollars over the sticker price in some cases.

But analysts told her that's not always wise, and Kauffman served up some math to prove it.

Nonetheless, buyers are beating a path to Toyota dealerships' doors -- waiting lists are long -- and those left out in the cold are experiencing what Kauffman dubbed, "Prius envy"!

To see Kauffman's report, click on the arrow in the image below.

[mexinvasion]

Honda is right behind Toyota on this. They will have something similar very soon. Not sure why Honda stopped making the Honda Insight. The American car industry may start competing with all this in a few years.

[ranganraj]

I drive a Prius and I love it! I get about 48mpg. The difference between a Prius and a Geo Metro --I have 2 carseats in the back and my kids fit comfortably. The Prius is my family car and it works amazingly!

[djberson]

The Prius is one of the ugliest cars ever produced, and it is a blight to the eyes.... like pollution. That being said, I am glad people want to drive fuel-efficient cars now. As for me, I will buy one when they make a model that I can stand looking at. On another note, there really there is this false sense of righteousness about driving a hybrid... the most "green" practice is to simply drive less!!