hybrid cars?

Question

What they like? I'm considering getting one

Answer 1

I have 2003 Prius. I have 70K miles on it, I drive about 500 miles per week commuting in Boston. I've driven on a couple of longer trips too.

Pro's - gas mileage is great. I primarily drive highway, where I get about 50mpg. Very reliable, very easy to drive. I really like the heads up instrumentation - slim display just under the windshield. Way more interior capacity than it looks like, loads of hidden storage places. Very quiet ride.

Con's - visibility is awful. It's very difficult to see out of. The JVC stereo isn't the greatest. The gas mileage drops with added weight, meaning that gas mileage won't be as great if your using it in a car pool.

General comments - not a lot of power for acceleration. In the north eastern US they change the formulation of the gasoline in the winter months is different than the summer. I get about 10% better MPG with the summer formula. The mileage in the city isn't as good at Toyota claims. However the mileage in stop/go traffic is excellent, in bumper to bumper you will go on battery alone. It's a little weird when the engine shuts off/on when your not used to it, but you get used to it.

My brother in law had the Honda Civic hybrid, but traded it for a Prius. He didn't get the gas mileage with the Honda that he gets with the Toyota. Not sure what other reasons he had for not liking the Honda.

I don't regret purchasing one. It's ideal for someone who commutes alone.

--------PS-----

The maintenance is no worse than any other car. You still change the oil every 3000 miles, costs the same as any other 4 cylinder engine. I get all my maintenance done at the dealer, but then I do that with all my cars. My feeling is that the hybrid is more computer than car, it's a stretch to think that the local grease monkey can work on it.

Regarding the cost - you do pay a premium for the hybrid vs other cars in it's performance class. You should compare a Prius vs a Corolla. The Corolla will be cheaper to get into, so you need to weight the fuel saving cost over the life of the car against the added cost to get into the car. I hear Toyota is now offering sales and incentives for people to buy the Prius? Also, I've heard the IRS has dropped the $2K tax credit for people who purchase the Prius. I don't know either of those to be fact though.

Answer 2

I wouldn't get one. If you are after fuel economy buy a diesel or most modern petrol engines will equate to a similar mpg.

If you live and drive mostly in a city then buy a hybrid, possibly the new smart fortwo which has a stop and go system - this allows the engine to switch off at junctions then the electric motor gets the car underway then the petrol engine kicks in.

Otherwise buy a diesel if you mostly drive long distance and carry large loads, for better mpg and a little better for the enviroment.

I personally drive a smart forfour 1.3l petrol and obtain around 46mpg which is pretty good going.

Answer 3

hybrid cars run about $5000 more than a similar non hybrid model. as for fuel economy, while hybrids do indeed get better mileage compared to a non-hybrid, the difference isn't that great, and $5000 plus interest will buy a lot of gasoline. one more thing, when battery replacement time rolls around, the hybrid is going to be EXPENSIVE. all that said, hybrids can be a good thing, but buy one because you like the car, not because it is good for the environment, or any garbage like that(lithium-ion batteries are not environmentally friendly when disposal time rolls around).

Answer 4

I don't own one, but from what I've learned they are EXPENSIVE to maintain....they do get good gas mileage althought most aren't what they claim. I heard somewhere the new Honda Civic is every bit as good as any green car when it comes to gas....do some research and enjoy!

Answer 5

they're not worth the money unless you're leasing one, then go for it.