Why should I buy a hybrid when it takes 8 years to break even on fuel costs?

Question

I did some simple math and it looks like it would take me 8 years to break even on fuel costs for a honda civic sedan vs. a honda civic hybrid. Here are some of my facts: HC hy: $22,600; average mpg: 50mpg; annual fuel cost @ 15,000 miles per year: 900 bucks. honda civic 5 speed auto tranny: $19,500; average mpg: 35 mpg; annual fuel cost $1286. Cost difference $3,100. Fuel savings per year with the hybrid: $386. $3100/386=8 years. Why should I buy a hybrid and not the regular 4 cyl car? Oh I forgot to mention this is at 3 dollar gas prices. Oh and I don't really think that driving a hybrid is saving the earth. Help me out.

Answer 1

You shouldn't, because you don't agree that the hybrid is good for the environment. Money is what's important to you.

Is giving your two-month-old an asthma-free future important to you? Anyway, you already said you don't think it helps, so why are you arguing?

PS Ya didn't invent it. Many of us are parents. Some of us even grew them inside our own bodies. So don't even bother to play the dad card.

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Answer 2

So don't buy a hybrid.  There are plenty of ways to help the environment, choose the ones that appeal to you.  If you buy a Honda Civic you're doing a lot more than someone who buys a large car just because it makes them feel good.

But note that if you think gas prices will be as low as $3 in 8 years, you're not looking at supply and demand (we find less new oil every year than the increase in demand from places like China and India).

Answer 3

That isn't the fault of the concept, the high price is due to their popularity creating demand greater than supply.  If you are so concerned about CO2 emissions per mile do what I did: buy a bike.  If you're out of shape, buy a bike with electric assist.

Answer 4

You shouldn't buy the hybrid if money is your priority.  However, are you are calculating that fuel costs will stay the same, or that gas will even be available down the road?

Answer 5

My husband and I have gone round and round about this.  We would have to get a hybrid used, which would not be eligible for the tax rebate.  Then we discussed the disposal of the battery - that is harmful also if the dealerships do not do it right.  For a while we were worried that the local emergency departments would not be equipped to handle a wreck with a hybrid but that seems to be solved.  We are going to go with a smaller car that gets similar mileage.(KIA Rio 5, Mazda3, ones like that )  A Prius is nice, but we need a trunk for kids and kid stuff.  Plus we live in FL so running the air in a hybrid is going to knock off a few mpg's.  You have to do what is best for you all around.   I think a hybrid is a good choice, but not for everyone.  I think in a few years they will have a lot of the kinks worked out.

How about this - get a gas car and don't use plastic shopping bags anymore - use canvas.  And, use a water jug, not a plastic water bottle, and recycle.  Then you can make up more than the difference of using a hybrid.

Good luck on your choice!

Answer 6

because you are going to do exactly what they say when the church is lifted off

Answer 7

You forgot to figure in potential maintenance costs.  Try pulling a hybrid into a dealership (the only place to get them fixed) and see what it costs to fix it.

I'll bet you though.  I'll bet 9 out of 10 Hybrids will be off the road in undrivable condition in eight years.

Answer 8

Really, the only reason to purchase a hybrid at this point is if you are concerned about what emmissions from gasoline powered vehicles are doing to the planet.  

If you aren't concerned, just leave the hybrids to the greenies and get yourself a nice economical car that suits your lifestyle.

Answer 9

Wow, 12.5% investment return isn't good enough reason?

Plus increasing return when gas prices rise.

Plus a better world for your kids.

Plus it's a cool statement that you care.

I would like the plug in model, 100mpg, but I can't wait until 2010.

Answer 10

I personally agree with you.  People often do not take into account the batteries on hybrids (not very green) and I would be surprised if you got 50 miles per gallon with the hybrid,  That is under perfect conditions, and those don't occur often.  From what I have read and heard, you would probably get closer to 42-44 miles per gallon with it, based on the way people actually drive.

Answer 11

Almost never mentioned in this forum is the cutting edge, futuristic experimental concept of "driving slower".

A portion of Newtons Laws of Motion state that the energy (i.e gasoline) required to keep something in motion is a function of the SQUARE of the velocity.  Mathematically, its KE=1/2mv^2.

But I have never seen anyone believe this, so I am seriously considering testing this myself for the good of the earth using a 1999 Dodge Caravan to determine gas mileage over the same extended course at both 70MPH and whatever the posted legal minimum speed is.  Provided the Highway Patrol doesn't pull me over every 20 miles because they assume I'm drunk.  Look for the results in this space soon!!!!!

Answer 12

I agree that an efficient small car is just about as good as a hybrid, and cheaper too. I have a friend that drives a small diesel car that gets about 50 MPG.

Answer 13

I'm not sure about this, but someone told me once (who owns a hybrid) that there is also some tax rebate thing that saves a lot of money too.  But I don't know, anyone here own one?

Answer 14

Sure ONE person driving a hybrid isn't going to save the earth, but if more people start doing it of course the benefits will increase not only to our environment but also the cost of the vehicle.

If you really want one but don't have the money, just wait to get one if you can!

Answer 15

Yes sir i keep telling everyone there charging by the mile not the gallon anymore . Your going to pay one way or another for those miles . Theirs a bigger force going on hear then most of you believe