"Hybrid" cars and resale value.?

Question

If the battery life is approximately 6 years and the cost to replace batteries is (est) $2,500-$3,000 at that time, what is the resale value after 5 or 6 years? And is the fuel cost savings actually realized and worth it when figuring in this "maintenance" cost, with the additional up front purchase cost?

Answer 1

Most manufacturers warranty the Hybrid Components of their vehicles longer than 5-6 years. Ford Hybrid Escape has always been 8yrs or 100,000 miles.
Honda Accord was 8yrs/ 80,000 but has now increased to 100,000 like the Ford warranty.

The maintenance costs on the Ford Hybrid Escape are actually less than the non-hybrid Escape.
Ford only recommends oil changes once every year or 10,000 miles, whichever occurs 1st.
The Accord reccommends to change the oil when the 'light' comes on & tells you to. (in my 'experimental vehicle' that was done @ 5900 miles, according to the service records & my conversation with my Honda dealer service mgr)

Also, remember to take into account, that there is a tax advantage to you for the purchase of a Hybrid.
$2650 taxable gross income deduction for a FWD Hybrid Escape
$1950 for 4WD Hybrid Escape.

I am currantly doing a 'fuel cost' experiment myself.
Last night I took a Hybrid Accord home & will drive it back today useing the same route & driving conditions & habits. & taking note of the computers calculation of MPG.

Tonite I will do the same with an Escape.
If you'd like to know more about my results , contact me in a couple of days & I'll be happy to share.

Please note: not all Hybrids are Fully Hybrid ( meaning they dont all shut down the gas engine ...some only shut down some of the gas engines cylinders )

Answer 2

Seeing as the hybrid technology is fairly new, any guess of resale value is going to be just that, a guess.

When a vehicle is appraised, and the value determined, the condition of the vehicle, and the cost of any needed repairs are factored into the value. For example: a vehicle that in excellent condition would be worth $6000 needs repairs that will cost $800. (tires, brakes, body work, or whatever) the vehicle would be valued at $5200 in the present condition ($6000-$800=$5200)

If a hybrid needs $3000 worth of battery replacement, then the value of the vehicle would be reduced by that cost. This is a factor in figuring if a hybrid is something you should consider.

Hybrids are best in city stop and go driving; they actually get better gas mileage in the city than they do on the highway. The way a hybrid works, the gas engine actually shuts down at stoplights (unless the air conditioner is being used). The car runs on electricity in traffic and the gas motor comes on when needed for more power, or if the battery charge goes below a certain point. If the AC is on, the gas motor stays running, so there is a real loss of savings there.

You need to do the math for your type of driving. Do you do a lot of city driving? How many miles a month do you drive? What is the gas savings of a hybrid for your conditions? How much cash are you going to save in fuel cost?

Compare the fuel savings to the cost of the vehicle, and the additional maintenance costs of battery replacement! Then you can decide if a hybrid makes sense for you!

Answer 3

Just calculate the price of the car as any normal one and deduct the battery price, you will get the resale value...

And yes, the fuel cost is definitely less....

Answer 4

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Answer 5

hybrids are for rich people who trade them in every 2 yrs. dont get stuck.