Are Hybrids worth it?

[senseamp]

I am waiting for Hummer H2 hybrid.

 

[Kelemvor]

Should be pretty easy to do the math.

Calculate how many miles you drive per year on average.
Calculate how many gallons of gas that will take based on the vehicles you are considering.
Calculate how much it will cost you to buy that much gas based on average prices.

Then compare the end results with how much price difference there is between the cars and go from there.

Most of the time it will take many years for a hybrid to pay for the difference because normal cars are getting more efficient all the time but as gas prices keep going up, it might change that a bit.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Kelemvor
Should be pretty easy to do the math.

Calculate how many miles you drive per year on average.
Calculate how many gallons of gas that will take based on the vehicles you are considering.
Calculate how much it will cost you to buy that much gas based on average prices.

Then compare the end results with how much price difference there is between the cars and go from there.

Most of the time it will take many years for a hybrid to pay for the difference because normal cars are getting more efficient all the time but as gas prices keep going up, it might change that a bit.

I like the gadgets that you get with a Prius, as well, it's geek heaven.

 

[courtjester123]

FYI - the EPA just revised MPG numbers for all cars including hybrids, detailing more realistic expectations based on normal driving habits, and the numbers for hybrids came down substantially

 

[j00fek]

i wouldn't buy one yet, due to the fact that every technician has to be trained and then get some experience on working with hybrid cars. i don't trust anyone with my cars ever.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: courtjester123
FYI - the EPA just revised MPG numbers for all cars including hybrids, detailing more realistic expectations based on normal driving habits, and the numbers for hybrids came down substantially

It depends on your driving habits. I see people in Prii getting 60-70MPG regularly using the pulse and glide method. Obviously doing 85mph down the freeway is not going to get you 51MPG.

 

[BD2003]

Drive a lot of highway - dont bother with hybrid.
Drive a lot of town/city - hybrid will do you right.

 

[Fritzo]

I think MSNBC did a story some time ago saying that gas would have to get over $5/gallon to break even on the cost premium of a hybrid. At this point, the high 30's/low 40's mpg cars are your best bet. Some can be had for under $18000 new too.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

thing is with the prius.....if you just drive it like you would a normal car, then its barely any better than a normal car. you have to drive like a fairy to start seeing some comeback from the hybrid system. its only good for being in stationary traffic....your engine wont be switched on.

personallly id just go for a golf or focus diesel...it'll do just as many MPG and be better built, and it wont of had a round the world trip just to make the damn thing.

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
thing is with the prius.....if you just drive it like you would a normal car, then its barely any better than a normal car. you have to drive like a fairy to start seeing some comeback from the hybrid system. its only good for being in stationary traffic....your engine wont be switched on.

personallly id just go for a golf or focus diesel...it'll do just as many MPG and be better built, and it wont of had a round the world trip just to make the damn thing.

Exactly where in the US can one pickup a Diesel Focus??
Are they being sold here now and I've just been living in a cave or something??

 

[GPett]

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
thing is with the prius.....if you just drive it like you would a normal car, then its barely any better than a normal car. you have to drive like a fairy to start seeing some comeback from the hybrid system. its only good for being in stationary traffic....your engine wont be switched on.

personallly id just go for a golf or focus diesel...it'll do just as many MPG and be better built, and it wont of had a round the world trip just to make the damn thing.

For future reference, only two companies sell diesel vehicles in the US (I'm not including heavy duty trucks): DCX and VW. VW isn't making one for 2007 while they upgrade to the new 2.0l. The only new one available is in the Mercedes E-class. You also cannot buy new diesels in five states (this will change next year).

 

[GPett]

Agreed. I do not think Hybrid is the way to go. It is a trendy solution now.

Diesel, Turbo diesel, Hydrogen, Hydrogen fuel cell, or Electric are better alternatives.

As many have mentioned the US does not have many diesel or turbo diesel alternatives available. It is because diesel fuel in the US had very high sulfer content untill new regulation came into effect in 05 or 06.

Volkswagon still has some sot of TDI on some of their 07 and 08 cars. Other than that mercades is the only other US car manufacturer with new diesel cars. The rest are trucks.

That does not mean you cannot buy any of the previous diesels that have been sold. You can go to kbb.com and search for used cars in your area that are diesel. Another benefit of a diesel vehicle is you never have to smog check it.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology is on the horizon but I have a feeling the US will be the last industrialized country to adopt it. For some reason our government wants us to guzzle petrolium products. There are European countries that have already implemented hydrogen fill stations over most of their highways. Hydrogen fuell cell technology has nothing but water vapor emissions. But you still have to consider the emissions that were generated to make the hydrogen for your car. Anyways, it seems like the most logical future technology.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Be sure to go look up that article showing the new EPA estimates for all vehicles as well. The hybrids are the ones that really take a hit.

Sorry I can't remember where I ready it but it was linked in a thread here and was on a legit site.

 

[torpid]

Is the resale value of the prius still incredibly high? Both my brother and friend have one, and they both checked the average used cost of a prius and it ended up being more expensive to buy a used one than a new one when the tax incentive was factored in.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: torpid
Is the resale value of the prius still incredibly high? Both my brother and friend have one, and they both checked the average used cost of a prius and it ended up being more expensive to buy a used one than a new one when the tax incentive was factored in.

Yes. It's quite high, not worth it to buy used.

 

[GrantMeThePower]

Toyota Yaris if you really want cost effectivness

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Gillbot
http://clubs.ccsu.edu/Recorder/editorial/editorial_item.asp?NewsID=188

Prius Outdoes Hummer in Environmental Damage

Chances that a Hummer will last 300,000 miles whereas a Prius will only last 100,000?

I still dislike the hybrids due to the fact they are more complicated and have more components that are likely to fail than a standard drivetrain vehicle. Furthermore, they are even less "user" repairable than their standard drivetrain counterparts. If a problem would arise, it would just add more to the total operating cost of the vehicle.

Besides, the hybrid's savings over a small efficient compact car are extremely negligible especially when you factor in the cost of the hybrid vehicle itself. IMHO, it's all hype to appeal to the tree hugging masses. My old '94 Ford Aspire was purchased for $1300 and it got 50mpg on a few extended highway trips and rarely got below 40mpg in the city with reasonable driving habits.

Doesn't matter to me anymore though. Company vehicle and company paid gas card are a great way for me to save $ at the pump.

 

[Rogodin2]

You can find decent Saab 9000s and 900s without the turbos that get between 32-37mpg for a fairly low cost $700-$5000.

Rogo

 

[morkman100]

Originally posted by: GPett
Agreed. I do not think Hybrid is the way to go. It is a trendy solution now.

Diesel, Turbo diesel, Hydrogen, Hydrogen fuel cell, or Electric are better alternatives.

As many have mentioned the US does not have many diesel or turbo diesel alternatives available. It is because diesel fuel in the US had very high sulfer content untill new regulation came into effect in 05 or 06.

Volkswagon still has some sot of TDI on some of their 07 and 08 cars. Other than that mercades is the only other US car manufacturer with new diesel cars. The rest are trucks.

That does not mean you cannot buy any of the previous diesels that have been sold. You can go to kbb.com and search for used cars in your area that are diesel. Another benefit of a diesel vehicle is you never have to smog check it.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology is on the horizon but I have a feeling the US will be the last industrialized country to adopt it. For some reason our government wants us to guzzle petrolium products. There are European countries that have already implemented hydrogen fill stations over most of their highways. Hydrogen fuell cell technology has nothing but water vapor emissions. But you still have to consider the emissions that were generated to make the hydrogen for your car. Anyways, it seems like the most logical future technology.

How are hydrogen/hydrogen fuel cells a better alternative over hybrids when they are not even available yet? Hybrid cars are in production now (and have been for 10 years). When hydrogen based cars are out, you can make the comparison.

 

[TuxDave]

Originally posted by: Gillbot
http://clubs.ccsu.edu/Recorder/editorial/editorial_item.asp?NewsID=188

Prius Outdoes Hummer in Environmental Damage

FALSE

 

[OFFascist]

Overall I would get a Jetta TDI if you can find one for a decent price, althought it would probably be better to wait till next year for prices to come down some, what remaning new ones are out there are priced higher because they didnt make any 2007 models.

Right now I would recommend a Toyota Yaris, or a Corolla. Corolla gets about the same milage as the Yaris.

If you absolutely want a hybrid though I would recommend the Honda Civic or the Toyota Camry. The Prius is really kind of lame.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: Gillbot

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Gillbot
http://clubs.ccsu.edu/Recorder/editorial/editorial_item.asp?NewsID=188

Prius Outdoes Hummer in Environmental Damage

Chances that a Hummer will last 300,000 miles whereas a Prius will only last 100,000?

I still dislike the hybrids due to the fact they are more complicated and have more components that are likely to fail than a standard drivetrain vehicle. Furthermore, they are even less "user" repairable than their standard drivetrain counterparts. If a problem would arise, it would just add more to the total operating cost of the vehicle.

Besides, the hybrid's savings over a small efficient compact car are extremely negligible especially when you factor in the cost of the hybrid vehicle itself. IMHO, it's all hype to appeal to the tree hugging masses. My old '94 Ford Aspire was purchased for $1300 and it got 50mpg on a few extended highway trips and rarely got below 40mpg in the city with reasonable driving habits.

Doesn't matter to me anymore though. Company vehicle and company paid gas card are a great way for me to save $ at the pump.

From all accounts that I've read, the prius is one of the most reliable cars toyota has ever built.

It might pay off to buy a used hybrid, but the resale price on those things is ridiculous.

 

[miri]

Originally posted by: BD2003
Drive a lot of highway - dont bother with hybrid.
Drive a lot of town/city - hybrid will do you right.

Unless you live in Ca. Most hybrid vehicles can use the HOV lanes here.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I've never really payed much attention to diesel stuff before..but how much MPG does that usually get you..like in your average VW.

Most gas stations have it right?

Are they phasing it out?