Several points I think are worth making:

(1) I note that the author says

The fact of the matter, though, is that if I get a Prius, I wouldn't be taking advantage of its hybrid abilities all that much. My trips would be too long, and its electric capacity is really better suited for short trips or stop-and-go traffic.

This is particularly interesting considering the "five car-free years". My first piece of advice would be to consider driving less. In general, driving only 10 miles in a car that gets 15mpg is better than driving 100 miles in a car that gets 50 mpg.

(2) The author appears to be conflating what is best for the planet with what is best for her pocketbook, but if we look at the latter (as she does), then this problem:

Because of the high demand for them, even a used Prius is still pretty expensive...

Isn't really a problem, because those resale values also determine what you'll be able to sell your car for later (assuming you don't drive excessively and take good care of your car).

In short, although I am the proud owner of a hybrid, owning a hybrid is a means, and not an end.

Ten grand is a chunk of change.

I bought a Fit in 08 and we use it about once a week but living in NYC makes it easy to leave it home for most trips.

Your comment about the limit on what a bicycle could move reminded me of the times I used a hand truck while wearing skates to move stuff. A bike can't touch that load limit without a trailer of some kind.