The 2003 Toyota Prius in question. (credit: Cyrus Farivar)

While I spend most of my time on my bike, my wife and I share a 2003 Toyota Prius. Technologically speaking, this is almost like saying I still own a Treo 650. Sure, it’s a modern smartphone, but barely.

When we bought the used Prius in 2012, the previous owner made hay about how he had an aftermarket multi-disc CD changer installed in the trunk. I told him I would never use it, and more than four years later, I’ve proven myself right. Usually our radio is tuned to KQED (yes, we’re Bay Area public radio nerds), or for longer drives, podcasts.

For those unfamiliar with the Prius, its screen for displaying real-time energy efficiency pales in comparison to more modern cars. In fact, to hook up my iPhone, I have to use a cassette adapter to connect to the stereo and the cigarette lighter for power. (Cars Technica Editor Jonathan Gitlin reminds me that the last car to have a factory cassette deck was in model year 2010!)