Are Hybrids worth it?
#32
There was a Prius taxi posted a while back that had 170,000 miles on it and was still going strong. Toyota reclaimed it to run tests on it and gave the guy a new one.
#34
Lexus Champion
I've done a cost analysis of a Prius vs a basic Corolla/Civic/Cobalt and can't make the Prius make sense anytime in the first 100k miles, and for it to make sense AFTER 100k miles you have to assume that the cost of replacement batteries will be significantly less than it is today.
....and yes you're correct they're not nearly as practical as the Prius, but its perfect for me as a commuter car.
I am babying the car with Mobil 1 0w-20 synthetic, HID kit from xenon depot, block heater (even in Houston).
Last edited by bagwell; 05-13-08 at 09:53 AM.
#35
Lexus Fanatic
http://www.cleangreencar.co.nz/page/prius-battery-pack
Also, batteries can be reconditioned for about $700. Please read:
http://hybridreview.blogspot.com/200...y-to-help.html
Last edited by XeroK00L; 05-13-08 at 09:44 AM.
#36
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
The used car market might have the most benefit of hybrids. Most of the car buyers I know don't keep their car for 10 years. Most of them keep it for 5-7 years. There probably will need to have a change in behavior. The longest I've ever had any car was just under 5 years. Obviously, the longer you own a hybrid the more money you will save. However, if you don't keep that particular car for longer than 5 years it may not give you the return that you want.
#37
#38
The used car market might have the most benefit of hybrids. Most of the car buyers I know don't keep their car for 10 years. Most of them keep it for 5-7 years. There probably will need to have a change in behavior. The longest I've ever had any car was just under 5 years. Obviously, the longer you own a hybrid the more money you will save. However, if you don't keep that particular car for longer than 5 years it may not give you the return that you want.
#39
#40
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Depends. Most of the people I know that looked into hybrids were 1. Turned off at the higher initial cost. And 2. When looked at used ones where turned off by the higher asking price from the selling owners. 3. Were turned off my the looks of the more affordable ones like the Prius or Civic. Now we do have the Camry which is good though, but not back then. None of them have a hybrid right now, Some of them stuck with what they have, or bought new cars like the Yaris or Civic. Then you also have reasonably higher resale valued cars like the Honda and Toyota cars that a hybrid in reality is just not that much different.
I'm not against hybrids at all. In fact I welcome more hybrids. I am one of those; however, that rather see real economical hybrids at lower costs. If the industry wants people to move more into hybrid technology, they need to make it very worth the buyers money and time. If a hybrid make absolute sense to everyone economically, a lot more people would buy them.
I'm not against hybrids at all. In fact I welcome more hybrids. I am one of those; however, that rather see real economical hybrids at lower costs. If the industry wants people to move more into hybrid technology, they need to make it very worth the buyers money and time. If a hybrid make absolute sense to everyone economically, a lot more people would buy them.
#41
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Personally, I think the reaction to higher gas prices for many is just a knee jerk reaction. There are so many people I know that now have very economical cars, or now take the bus or ride a bike to work because of the higher gas prices, yet take trips to Vegas 2-3 times a year and gamble their money away.
#42
Lexus Champion
BTW - I've been offered $10K for the car a couple of times and said NO WAY!(paid $8500).
#43
Lexus Champion
Length: 175" / 189" / 178"
Width: 67" / 71" / 66"
Height: 58" / 58" / 58"
Looks to me like the Prius is just slightly larger than a Corolla and much closer in size to the Corolla than the Camry.
I mean if you really want to get that hung up on EPA size classifications, the Accord is a large car according to the EPA. The Camry and Altima are midsized cars. Yet everyone that considers the closest competitors to the Accord considers the Camry and Altima, not the Crown Victoria (another EPA large car).
#45
Lexus Champion
Oops... those were 2008 figures... 2009 Corolla is even bigger.
Point being people don't compare cars necessarily on just one stat or classification.
I'll bet far more people compare the Prius to cars like the Civic and Corolla than they do the Camry. If they didn't, why would Toyota have bothered with the Camry Hybrid?
But on the subject of interior volume...
Prius: 96 CuF
Camry: 101 CuF
Corolla: 92 CuF
Once again the Prius is closer in interior volume to the Corolla than it is the Camry.
Just kinda shows that it's a little bit narrow minded to simply divide by EPA size classification.
Point being people don't compare cars necessarily on just one stat or classification.
I'll bet far more people compare the Prius to cars like the Civic and Corolla than they do the Camry. If they didn't, why would Toyota have bothered with the Camry Hybrid?
But on the subject of interior volume...
Prius: 96 CuF
Camry: 101 CuF
Corolla: 92 CuF
Once again the Prius is closer in interior volume to the Corolla than it is the Camry.
Just kinda shows that it's a little bit narrow minded to simply divide by EPA size classification.
Last edited by Threxx; 05-13-08 at 11:12 AM.