Thinking about getting a hybrid but I got one question.?

Question

Researching them but one question I can not find a answer to is repair. Is the cost to repair them outragious?

Answer 1

You have to get it done at a certified dealer, few places work on them but that will start changing fast. But it should be about the same as any other new car.

Answer 2

teh cost to repair them is going to be about the same as any other car, the only thing that's ridiculously more expensive is the battery (i researched prius a LOT when car shopping) and so far there have been no cases of anyone having to replace the battery on their hybrid other than if they were in an accident and it got wrecked or something (and then insurance will cover it) there are cars out there that have been tested to over 200,000 miles and still have the factory battery in them, so i wouldn't worry about it. go for the hybrid!

Answer 3

I heard the battery is quite expensive to replace.  But I don't know anyone with a hybrid to check for sure.

Answer 4

None of the American ones are anything but lemons.  They're designed that way intentionally.  If you want a hybrid, the Japanese ones are the best.  I'm sure they have thought of the service angle.

Answer 5

You obviously haven't done your research...  but don't worry, I did.

If you compare the cost of a hybrid car to the cost of a basic model Honda Civic (or other economy vehicle), then include the difference of gas mileage, well, the Civic is still cheaper.  It is cheaper to repair, too.

However, if you are looking into buying a low emission vehicle (Honda Civic is still pretty low), then I would go for a ZERO emissions vehicle.  I've been looking at the electric cars that are coming out in 2009.  They are expensive, but if I wait a few years, their cost should go down a bit.  They cost $100 per year in electric bills.  That's less than $10 a month for "gas." By the time my 2000 Honda Civic is ready to die (they last forever), I should be ready to buy an electric car.  

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Answer 6

hybrid? mine is a pure-brid...

Answer 7

Your repairs are going to be a dealership thing, so after your warrantees are done, YES, it could be expensive. (But then again, when is it ever cheap?)

Answer 8

I've owned my 2002 Prius for almost 7 years (purchased in Oct 2001) and I've had almost no cost in maintenance beyond oil and tires.  2 recalls were handled easily and the electric system is warranteed for 100,000 miles. The bumper to bumper warranty is expired but I am not worried in the least.  I would say the cost is extremely reasonable. Toyota makes an extremely reliable line of cars.

Answer 9

Most hybrids have been very reliable, to date.

The Prius is one of the most reliable vehicles you can buy.

The only real expensive part that is not on a standard vehicle is the battery.  

Toyota leads the way in the hybrid technology and publically states that the battery is intended to last the life of the vehicle. They back it up with an 8 year, 100K mile warranty on the battery and have not had 1 fail since introducing the Prius in the US in 2001.

The only real downside to the hybrid right now is that you will have to take it to the dealer for servicing.

However, the cost at the dealership for routine maintenance is no more than any other non-hybrid vehicle.

Answer 10

No.  The hybrid system is under warranty for a long time, so if anything goes wrong repairs are free.   The battery is under warranty for 8-10 years.  Plus by using the electric motor (which has no moving parts that can break), you're putting less strain on the internal combustion engine (which has many parts that can break and wear out).  Plus the regenerative braking system saves wear on the brake pads.  Plus you only have to get oil changes ever 5,000 miles instead of 3,000.  So in the long run repairs will probably cost less than a non-hybrid.