Have you ever thought about buying an Hybrid car?

[chakal]

Like the title says, I'm looking for buying an hybrid car next year.

There's the Toyota Prius or the Honda Civic Hybrid. Gas price is high but I'm looking more for the greener side of it. I drive 7 km a day for work, gym, and back home. So the gas price isn't a big thing for me, but I was looking at it.

Imagine, under 60 km/h the electric engine is running alone. So, in theory, I wouldn't use a drop of gas during the week days.

Also, I'm sure that 2009 or 2010 models are going to be even better than the 2008. Plus, other manufacturers are working on hybrid cars.

That would replace my 2003 Ford Focus SVT. The only thing I would miss, it the power I got with the SVT and the Z-tec engine.

[Holy the Goalie]

Keep in mind that (as I understand it) hybrids use the gasoline engine to start after coming to a complete stop (like at traffic lights). You'll still need gas. Also, and I learned this when my Dad was looking at a hybrid, the electric "cell" or whatever will eventually wear out, necessitating a replacement. These can only be done by a licensed professional (re: at the dealership) and can run in excess of $7000. If you're comfortable with those to caveats, I say go for it. I'll need a new car here in the next 6-12 months, and with gas going up, I'm seriously going to have to consider a hybrid.

[azdave]

When I test drove the Prius I was told that the gas and electric work together after 13 mph. The new version I believe will not come on until 25mph. I never really checked into that much because I felt the car was a little sluggish between 30 to 50mph.

GM is suppose to have a true electric called the VOLT.

One of my clients owns a Prius and has never gotten less than 50mpg.

My Mini is averaging 31 mpg city/highway, strictly highway I am getting 38.2 according to the car's computer. I have the Clubman so I could fit the gear. I think next year there will be a better selection and the MPGs will definitely go up plus the batteries are getting so much better.

Good luck.

[chakal]

For now, Toyota and Honda guarantee their batteries for 160,000 km. For me, that's over 10 years.

I suppose that next year would be an even better year for the hybrid cars. The government in Quebec is giving between 1,000 and 2,000$ of tax rebate if I buy an hybrid car. That covers a good part of the price difference between the gas and hybrid models.

The more I read about hybrid cars, the more I'm sure that's the way I'll go next year.

Also, the 2008 Prius really looks good. The Civic always looks good.

[njt42]

This is what came to mind about the hybrids.

[biguglygoalie]

the only hybrid i'd buy...

[elite]

My wife and I are planning on getting a Prius. It'll actually work out to where the payments on the Prius will be less than the savings of gas we'll be getting, making it not only economically feasible, but economically advantageous for us.

[Sparkles]

Originally Posted by azdave

My Mini is averaging 31 mpg city/highway, strictly highway I am getting 38.2 according to the car's computer. I have the Clubman so I could fit the gear. I think next year there will be a better selection and the MPGs will definitely go up plus the batteries are getting so much better.

I would so rock the Mini over the Prius or Civic hybrid. 40mpg highway for the Mini is plenty saving gas and you won't get outrun by your grandma's Buick Roadmaster at the stoplight. No amount of gas savings is worth that.

[Huntster]

Have you considered a Saturn Vue Hybrid?

[LukePhillips]

If you want good gas milage, just get the Prius. Don't try to save face by getting a Cooper or something that still might give you some manhood. Because you'll just look stupid.

I could never get one of those things as my only car. I would go insane. I need 8 cylinders of get up and go and good ole american wastefulness.

[Bryan]

There was a piece on Global National a couple nights ago where they calculated how long it would take the average person to start actually saving money factoring how much more the hybrids cost compared to their all gas counterparts. Depending on the model, it was between 6 and 12 years before you actually started saving money.

Here's another take from Wired: Hybrid Cars' Fantasy Mileage Ratings Drive Into the Sunset

According to a formula devised by Edmunds, it would take nearly 10 years to recoup the extra costs after buying a 2007 Mercury Mariner Hybrid, up from 6.6 according to the old mileage ratings. For the 2007 Honda Accord and Honda Civic hybrids it takes 14.5 and 6.5 years, respectively.

Besides that, the good gas mileage for hybrids only kicks in if you drive really slow all the time. When I drove my son to lacrosse and back today, I got him to watch the speedometer, and stopwatch how long I was ever in the range where the electric motor would even be operating. Out of a 45 minute total trip, less than 4 minutes.

The more I read about Hybrids, the more I'm sure the hype doesn't deliver.

[LukePhillips]

Originally Posted by Bryan

There was a piece on Global National a couple nights ago where they calculated how long it would take the average person to start actually saving money factoring how much more the hybrids cost compared to their all gas counterparts. Depending on the model, it was between 6 and 12 years before you actually started saving money.

Here's another take from Wired: Hybrid Cars' Fantasy Mileage Ratings Drive Into the Sunset



Besides that, the good gas mileage for hybrids only kicks in if you drive really slow all the time. When I drove my son to lacrosse and back today, I got him to watch the speedometer, and stopwatch how long I was ever in the range where the electric motor would even be operating. Out of a 45 minute total trip, less than 4 minutes.

The more I read about Hybrids, the more I'm sure the hype doesn't deliver.

Ok, if you're buying a Lexus, Toyota, etc hybrid, you're just trying to 'scene' with the greenies and your rich friends. It's idiotic. The Chevy Tahoe Hybrid? 19c/22h. If I ever meet someone who bought one, I wouldn't be able to hold back laughter. They serve zero purpose.

If you want a hybrid, you need to go full out Prius. No one else is even close at this point. My grandparents have one and they rarely dip into the 40 mpg. The whole mostly motor, but part hybrid for a few seconds is simply a waste.

[Carnivale]

Originally Posted by chakal

Gas price is high but I'm looking more for the greener side of it.

As Bryan points out, it's probably not worthwhile to do it for money savings, but more so for the reduced environmental impact. I've considered a Prius myself, but I just don't have the money to lay down for a new car right now and I commute to work on a 400cc motorcycle that gets 55mpg.

[fusion]

I had this discussion with a Colorado Environment Official when I was at my dads co-workers house, the guy I talked to lived right next door.
He said that there is no way that a Hybrid is healthier than a regular gas or diesel drien car. Do you know where the battery goes when its done after around 35,000 miles? To a trash dump. That battery will send fumes straight into the atmosphere. In the long term, they are actually more harmful than a regular car.
If you want to save gas, then just get a smaller car. I get 28 MPG with my Audi A6, I think thats good enough for me, so Im not complaining. You can basically chip any car to get better gas mileage, its not that hard. Here in Sweden they get diesel cars because diesel used to be cheaper here, but also because you get way better gas mileage with diesel.
If you want to get 40-50 MPG, then buy a motorcycle or one of those tiny smart cars. You can also ride the bus or bike. Right now the technology in the Hybrid is made for school zone speed limits. Thats not enough to work with.
Dont throw your money away on a Hybrid, buy a smaller car instead. After all, when the tank is empty in either a Prius or Mini Cooper, youve sent out almost the same amount of fumes into the atmosphere.

Now if you want to talk to market gimmick, this is one

Originally Posted by LukePhillips

If you want good gas milage, just get the Prius. Don't try to save face by getting a Cooper or something that still might give you some manhood. Because you'll just look stupid.

I could never get one of those things as my only car. I would go insane. I need 8 cylinders of get up and go and good ole american wastefulness.

Why would you need 8 cylinders to get you up and going? I like the new Suburbans, because when you dont really use the full engine, it kicks in to V6 mode instead of V8. That saves you a ton of gas, too.

[Bones343]

Save yourself the extra 7 grand and by a non hybrid car.