Which hybrid car should I buy?

[DAM]

I really think I am going to buy a hybrid what options are out there?

 

[NutBucket]

Well, if you wait a bit there will be more options for you; Toyota Highland, Honda Accord V6 come to mind.

Right now I'd probably get a Prius. Seems like the best one on the market.

 

[Quixfire]

Ford Escape or Toyota Rav4

Or a 1992-96 Ford Escort GT converted to Alcohol.

 

[kami333]

The Toyota Prius looks to be the most efficient choice. The Honda Insight is a bit small and there isn't too much the Civic hybrid offers over the normal Civic. The only problem is that there's a 6month waiting list for the Prius, my gf wants to buy one now that she graduated but her car is falling apart so she doesn't think she can wait that long.

 

[Ionizer86]

The Prius's tires seem to wear out quickly, according to some. And the front mount may not be intuitive. Another good car to check out is the hybrid Civic. A benefit to driving a Civic would be that most auto repaire centers can handle the nonhybrid parts easily and that you could get similar parts in a junkyard if need be. The hybrid civic shares lots of parts with the Prius.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Ford Escape or Toyota Rav4

Or a 1992-96 Ford Escort GT converted to Alcohol.

the ford escape isn't available yet, but I'd wait for it.
edit: and the Rav4 won't have a hybrid out for a while.

 

[DAM]

Yeah the hybrid escape looks like a good option, but I hope they hurry it up.

 

[Antoneo]

Hrmm, would VW's TDI offerings be comparable to hybrid cars?

 

[bigredguy]

Originally posted by: DAM
I really think I am going to buy a hybrid what options are out there?

get a 1/2 diesel, 1/2 cng. there's balance in there somewhere

 

[Stark]

Originally posted by: Antoneo
Hrmm, would VW's TDI offerings be comparable to hybrid cars?

it depends if you're comparing the economic benefits (mpg) or the environmental benefits (pollution)

economic: hybrid vs TDI - about even. similar MPG, TDI more proven technology but service still isn't cheap.
environmental: hybrid vs TDI - hybrid wins if you don't factor in the batteries needing disposal down the road.

despite VW's spotty quality record recenlty, I'd take a TDI over a hybrid. One pollutes today, one pollutes 5 years from now. Pick your poison.

<-- still likes his 2003 TDI Golf

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Antoneo
Hrmm, would VW's TDI offerings be comparable to hybrid cars?

Yes, available now and cheaper and larger. I think a TDI represent sa better buy than any of the current hybrid small cars, though the escape and highlander should be interesting.

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: Stark

Originally posted by: Antoneo
Hrmm, would VW's TDI offerings be comparable to hybrid cars?

it depends if you're comparing the economic benefits (mpg) or the environmental benefits (pollution)

economic: hybrid vs TDI - about even. similar MPG, TDI more proven technology but service still isn't cheap.
environmental: hybrid vs TDI - hybrid wins if you don't factor in the batteries needing disposal down the road.

despite VW's spotty quality record recenlty, I'd take a TDI over a hybrid. One pollutes today, one pollutes 5 years from now. Pick your poison.

<-- still likes his 2003 TDI Golf

TDI will also get much cleaner here in the states once low sulfer diesel fuel hits (next year I think?).

Anyhow, how about waiting for this hybrid?

http://autoweek.com/specials/2004_geneva/volta/pages/index.htm

 

[0roo0roo]

prius is bigger me thinks, its a midsized car. prius is the most advanced of the lot. its high power electric motor can move the car. hondas just got a low power assist motor

 

[thedarkwolf]

The VW Golf TDI may get better mileage over all then some of the hybrids. I've read the hybrids aren't getting the mileage they are rated for and they don't do all the great on the highway compared to city.

 

[mikebb]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
The VW Golf TDI may get better mileage over all then some of the hybrids. I've read the hybrids aren't getting the mileage they are rated for and they don't do all the great on the highway compared to city.

I haven't heard anything about hybrids not getting their rated MPG, but most cars don't anyway, hybrid or not. As far as better MPG in the city as compared to highway, this is because of the hybrid's design. Hybrids will shut off/run on battery a lot more in the city, while on the highway run almost exclusively on the gas engine, unless you're braking (Toyota's own ratings on the Prius are 60 City/51 Highway.)

 

[Banana]

nullAnother review of the Ford Escape Hybrid

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: Stark

Originally posted by: Antoneo
Hrmm, would VW's TDI offerings be comparable to hybrid cars?

it depends if you're comparing the economic benefits (mpg) or the environmental benefits (pollution)

economic: hybrid vs TDI - about even. similar MPG, TDI more proven technology but service still isn't cheap.
environmental: hybrid vs TDI - hybrid wins if you don't factor in the batteries needing disposal down the road.

despite VW's spotty quality record recenlty, I'd take a TDI over a hybrid. One pollutes today, one pollutes 5 years from now. Pick your poison.

<-- still likes his 2003 TDI Golf

TDI will also get much cleaner here in the states once low sulfer diesel fuel hits (next year I think?).

Anyhow, how about waiting for this hybrid?

http://autoweek.com/specials/2004_geneva/volta/pages/index.htm

2006

 

[RossMAN]

Toyota Prius

 

[Nerdwannabe]

Hybrid car will have good mpg in city driving but not so well on hwy.

These hybrid cars gets battery charged when you brake and electric motor will drive the car mostly during takeoff. On hwy driving, the car still run on gasoline.

If you do a lot of hwy trip, I would get a disel Jetta or regular Corolla, Civic.

 

[Passions]

Hybrids are overrated. They will end up costing you MORE money in the long run. Forget about them and grab a normal Civic or Corolla. :thumbsdown: Hybrids!

 

[andylawcc]

you want a bigger car like the Lexus RX400h or a small one like the Honda Insight? For me it seems like the 2nd gen Prius is just about right.

 

[andylawcc]

btw: speaking of VW Diesel, there will be a new TDI 2.0 engine for the Passat, it has like 150hp and 280 TORQUE! not absolutely sure with those two numbers though.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Wife's Golf TDI gets ~40 mpg city driving, &amp; that's with wide 16" wheels/rims &amp; an automatic.

 

[KEV1N]

Just get a regular Civic, I say..

 

[ElFenix]

ford should work on a hybrid focus