What would make you want to buy a hybrid car?

Question

So they spend less gas and pollute less, but what other thing will make you REALLY go tomorrow and switch your current car for a hybrid?

Answer 1

First of all I am in the auto business so I haven't 'owned' a vehicle in the last 24 years, I drive dealer 'demos' .
I also drive whatever used cars & trade-ins that i want to.
Last year I did an experiment with 3 different vehicles.
Each vehicle for 1 week, same kind of driving, same gas station, & same conditions. I reset the computers to calculate the miles per gallon.

First I drove a non-Hybrid Escape (6cyl 4X4)
-I drive like an idiot & I liked the power & handeling but I get lousy gas mileage no matter what i drive because I have a lead foot! I also only live 4 miles from my job so I don't do much highway driving, but I drive the side streets like as if they ARE a highway.

Then switched to a Hybrid Honda Accord. (also 6 cyl, but not 4X4)
-Nice car, power & handeling good. But I only bettered my miles per gallon by 2 miles. That did not impress me at all!

Then I drove the Hybrid Escape (also 4X4, for a fair comparison to the non-hybrid Escape.
-I LOVED this vehicle & DOUBLED my miles per gallon!
-the handelng was just as good as the non-hybrid & it actually felt even peppier than the 6 cyl, due to the ECVT transmission!

The ONLY reason why I would not buy one of these is because I don't buy vehicles at all. I sell them.


Ford actually has a Hybrid in Research & Development that is also E85 capable! When it is available to the public, I actually might consider BUYING one.

The Hybrid Escape has the biggest federal tax deduction of all the hybrids.
The price has actually GONE DOWN each & every year that it has been out ( '05-'06-'07-'08)
FMCC offers 0% financing on remaining '07s
And contrary to the uninformed, you DO NOT have to replace the batteries every few years,( as someone else suggested) in fact all the hybrid components are warranteed for at least 100,000 miles.
Also the recommended oil change intervals on the Hybrid Escape is ONCE every 12 months or 10,000 miles!

So what's the EXCUSE not to buy one?

Answer 2

i don't have a hybrid, yet I genuinely have heavily seen one in the previous. gas expenditures are an argument with me. I additionally like how they no longer as pollectible and to that end are additionally extra effectual for those with hypersensitive reactions. i might decide to verify a real hybrid that has the wonderful bells and whistles in a wagon sort motor vehicle or a small SUV. one difficulty that i'm nevertheless debating is whether or no longer it particularly is extra effectual to save money on gas by technique of using a hybrid with determining to purchase the hybrid option up front (hybrids often fee slightly better than an analogous motor vehicle) or to get a nicer extra effectual motor vehicle yet pay extra for gas each and each week. it particularly is a toss up, imo. motherinprincess

Answer 3

That would be the two best reasons right there. That and the fact that they had some huge tax breaks for the people that went and bought them last year. The tax savings was just about enough to cover the difference between a reg and a hybrid....couple it with the increased savings in fuel (doesn't happen right away) and you have a win win win.

Answer 4

advertising. in reality, VERY VERY VERY few people get what they expect from a hybrid car. check the NEW MPG ratings and see for yourself. on the old ratings, cars got highway mileage tested at 48 mph, on a conveyor belt. the NEW ratings use real world tests, like driving outside (you know, where the wind is!) and air conditioner use, fast starts and stops, etc.
if you are super environmentally conscious, you might feel a little better about yourself in a hybrid, but consider this as well... when you finally ship that thing off to the crusher, where do all the chemicals in the battery go? that's right! straight into the ground! go environmentalists, go!!!!!!

Answer 5

i own a repair shop,and i guess if gas shot to 5 bucks a gallon id finally get over it ,and buy one,but a few of my customers have already bought these ,and there not getting the gas mileage they was told they would get,so this has got me wondering,would i be any better off with one,or just staying with what i already have,i have drove a lot of them,and they seem to be alright,but some of my customers aren't happy with what they was told about the ,mileage they would get,,so for now I'm hoping gas doesn't go much higher because i have to do a lot of running sometimes,good luck,i hope this helps.

Answer 6

hybrid is great for tree huggers not concerned with performance. The amount of extra money spent to get a hybrid is pretty much equivalent to the amount of money you would've spent on a regular car. They do have less air pollution, so thats good for people who want to "do their part". Personally, im waiting for a better alternative fuel.

Answer 7

Yea, if there were tax breaks or if the prices went down. Also, the new Prius is really cute, so I would buy that over another hybrid.

Answer 8

If I had the money , I would do it just for the simple reason of doing my part to reduce the pollution that I create with my present car ....

Answer 9

Yes, if I had the money. Anything to take a step forward in helping to decrease global warming is reason enough in my mind.

Answer 10

If they had a better price and I would have to change the batteries every few years, ok.

I would prefer a good turbo diesel like the European TDI, performance and good mileage. And you can make diesel of almost anything, plants, fast food oil.... it is better.