Hyrbid vs. Not?!?!?

Question

What are your feelings on the hybrid? Is it worth it?

Answer 1

depends on where you drive.

hybrids are great car to save on fuel costs...if you drive in stop and go traffic.  if you drive primarily in a highway environment, as i do, a hybrid will not save you on fuel.

hybrids run on battery power in stop and go traffic; and on gasoline, or other fuel, when driving at constant speeds, such as on the interstate highways.  this is something that many auto dealers will not tell you since hybrids are more costly and the dealer makes more profit and commission on them.  all that the dealer tries to sell you is that they are better on gas, but won't tell you the whole truth.

Answer 2

I started out as a hybrid hater. I thought the Prius was ugly and slow from the start, now it is starting to grow on me. I would most likely lease one if I did get one, hybrids tend to be expensive in the long run.

I just don't get the whole hybrid SUV thing though It is like complete contradiction towards the fact of having a hybrid. But, I guess I could take $3000 Tax Deduction.

Answer 3

If and when Toyota comes out with the plug in hybrid that will be cost affective. Current hybrids don't save you ant money.

Answer 4

To save money - no.

To save the world - yes.

They put out less pollutant by burning less fuel.  So it is great for fighting global warming and such.  But the initial price is so expensive, you may never recoup the extra $$$ on purchase price.

Good Luck...

Answer 5

you don't save money buying a Hybrid in most cases..    the only way you will win, if you have no car and need a new one.   the worst thing you can do is trade in your existing car for a Hybrid..

Answer 6

As the price of gasoline increases hybrids become increasingly attractive.

But to decide you have to consider the total cost of ownership (i.e. purchase price, any grants or incentives, interest, insurance, maintenance, residual value (what you can see it for later), fuel efficiency) and your driving style (city or highway).

Basically, in comparison to the same car with a normal gasoline engine, the purchase price is higher, insurance is higher, maintenance is slightly higher, depreciation is lower, there may be government incentives (depends on country/state), and fuel efficiency is a lot higher (true hybrid) to somewhat higher (mild hybrids) -- at least in the city.

A common misperception is that batteries need maintenance/replacement. This is generally not true (first batteries are designed to last the life of the car (and warranties are quite long), second, using the Prius as an example, almost zero battery backs have failed in 10 years, and third, even if there is a failed cell it is only about $150 to replace).

So .. you will pay more in the first place, and depending on the financing you use (interest rates, down payment, etc), whether it is a lease or purchase, you will probably pay more per month ... but higher residual value (you will get more back when you trade) and much lower fuel costs -- particulalry for city driving where hybrids really excel) will pay off.

Finally, you will know you are doing something to reduce your "carbon footprint".

In my view compact hybrids make a lot of sense, but SUV or truck hybrids less so.