Would you buy a Hybrid vehicle?

Question

Im thinking of buying a hybrid suv but its more expensive than a normal vehicle. It saves gas but is the money you paid for worth it?

Answer 1

Depending on what vehicles you're comparing, it could take you anywhere from about 50,000 to 250,000 miles for the cost of fuel to make up for the increased purchase price, running at EPA numbers. Many hybrid owners do much better than that, though.

With your SUV, though, it could be a bit higher. The larger hybrids tend to be geared more for performance with a slight fuel economy boost over base models (but comparable power to a larger engine). This reduces the fuel economy difference by quite a bit, but makes the price comparison closer. Whether it's really worth it depends on WHAT hybrid SUV you're getting.

Generally, though, unless you're keeping the vehicle for a long time...like 5 years or more, it won't be worth it to buy a new hybrid. That shouldn't be too big a concern. Honda and Toyota hybrids have proven to be even more reliable than their regular vehicles. The only issue is the battery, and even then, when the battery is nearing the end, or not working, cars like the Insight remain very efficient. (This probably woudln't be the case with your SUV)

There's more to it than fuel economy, though. Hybrids have completely different driving dynamics. They have instant low-end torque. If that appeals to you, go for it. Test drive both, though, to make sure it's really what you want.

Edit: Insight owners have been having their batteries start going at around 150,000 miles. Part of the replacement cost (which may not be strictly neccesary, since batteries don't just STOP working, the performance degrades over time) will be made up by the decreased wear and tear on the engine.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

The Hybrid prices are going down and also there are tax credits offered by the federal government and in some cases the state governments that offset some of the premium you have to pay. Toyota, for example, just reduced the price of it's 2008 Camry Hybrid by $1000. If you drive mostly in the city with stop and go traffic, the Hybrid does make sense. In the next few years, automobile makers are introducing Plug-in hybrids that you can charge at home by plugging into your electrical outlet. That should make Hybrids even more attractive.

Answer 4

You need to calculate how long it will take you to make up the premium you will pay for the Hybrid.

Remember a Hybrid typically is slightly smaller that the normal gasoline only vehicle as it will have to make room for the battery pack also.

Your vehicle is also now a specialized vehicle. Make sure whereever you are, you can get a mechanic to work on it. Many mechanics won't work on Hybrid vehicles due to their high voltage. So ensure you can get it fixed if it does break down, and be prepared to pay a premium for that service.

I would consider a Hybrid vehicle, but there's a lot of things to weigh beyond just the additional cost you will pay for it.

Answer 5

Consumer Reports did a cost comparison study on hybrids several months ago. Although the operational cost was lower, the life-cycle cost including financing, depreciation, maintenance, operations, insurance (higher for most hybrids, by the way) etc. was higher for the hybrids in all cases. The Prius and Insight came closest to breaking even but as a money saving option they are a bust.

Answer 6

The amount saved usually isn't enough to make up for the extra cost, as other people have already said. However, I am still waiting to buy a hybrid until they make a car that has as much power as a gasoline powered car and is exciting to drive.

So far (with one exception) the dedicated hybrid-only models are not attractively designed, and they are made of cheaper materials. The hybrid cars that are different versions of other gas powered cars cost more (as you've said) and they don't perform as well.

The way to get me to buy a hybrid for the extra dough is to make it even better than the gasoline powered vehicle in terms of performance and features. Until then, I'll stick with my V-8 gas engines.

Answer 7

some studies have compared the cost of buying a hybrid which is much higher than a regular compact and found that you dont save any money because you have paid more for the car even though you are paying less for gas. I got to have power, Im not ready for a hybrid.

Answer 8

If I had the money, yeah, I would buy a hybrid. I recently swapped my van for a '96 Civic and the money I saved from gas prices was well worth it. My van had a 70 litre tank and it'll take me a little under 400 kms per tank. My Civic has a 40 litre tank and it can take me well over 425 kms per tank.

Just a little heads up though, I heard variations from friends of charging a hybrid with a plug hooked up inside your home. From my understanding (and a few of my friends as well), the engine itself charges the battery until the capacity runs out. Make sure to look this up and see if it fits within your lifestyle before purchasing one.

Answer 9

Actually a hybrid is more costly to buy and operate than a "typical car" If you are environmentally conscience, then you must take into account all of the costs of operating a vehicle including design cost, manufacturing, operation and disposal. It might seem hard to imagine but it costs more to operate a hybrid than a suburban on a per mile cost when you take the above factors into account

Answer 10

I wouldn't

You will never make up the diffrence in cost. The average life of a lithium battery (fuel cell) in a hybrid is 40 - 50K miles. That means just after the car goes out of warranty you will be shelling out 4 - 7k for a new fuel cell. $4000 - $7000 is a bunch of gasoline

It is a losing equation