Hybrids pay for themselves

[HOZ]

I have held off buying a hybrid simply because the technology versus the price doesn't make any sense yet. A good(Toyota)-mileage car was/is still more economical choice. Hybrids don't really do much better.

But it looks like the technology is improving and soon will actually make a difference. But the catcher is......"if owners keep them a few years".

I figure that a few years means more than 5.

Hybrids

[Flash Walken]

I agree, a compact japanese car, or volkwagon golf tdi are more impactful ways of using less energy than a Hybrid at this point. The more purchased, the cheaper they become.

[Hemi-Cuda]

i believe that the future is still in electric cars. Tesla Motors proved that it's not only viable, but feasible with even high end sports cars. i can't wait until they start rolling out the economy vehicles they have planned

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Hybrids are years away from being economical. What that article does not reveal is that hybrids require their battery units to be replaced every 18-24 months (its the same with all rechargable products) and that is expensive as hell. Its a bigger problem where there temperature extremes, like here in Arizona where you'll get a couple years out of a standard car battery. The technology is promising, but they are still years away from having a product that is economically feasible.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

What that article does not reveal is that hybrids require their battery units to be replaced every 18-24 months (its the same with all rechargable products) and that is expensive as hell.

That runs counter to the claims made here:
http://www.hybridexperience.ca/Reliability.htm

"There were no costs identified that were specific to the hybrid components of the vehicles. "

And there's no mention of replacing batteries over a period much longer then 24 months.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

Hybrids are years away from being economical. What that article does not reveal is that hybrids require their battery units to be replaced every 18-24 months (its the same with all rechargable products) and that is expensive as hell. Its a bigger problem where there temperature extremes, like here in Arizona where you'll get a couple years out of a standard car battery. The technology is promising, but they are still years away from having a product that is economically feasible.

I saw a program about the movie about GMs Evo (I think that what its called) and the only maintance they required was a change of scrubers every 100,000 mi.

I am considering a VW TDi Jetta and using my Jeep for trips, camping and winter storms.

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

That runs counter to the claims made here:
http://www.hybridexperience.ca/Reliability.htm

"There were no costs identified that were specific to the hybrid components of the vehicles. "

And there's no mention of replacing batteries over a period much longer then 24 months.

Yeah, and there's no mention of tire feathering on 350z's anywhere either, but its a known problem. Try talking to dealer who services the cars. My wife and I were looking at the Toyota hybrids and spent some time talking with their service manager for known problems and that issue came up. I confirmed it through another source at a Calgary dealership (I know someone in the bis up there), so it was a known problem with the platform itself. Those that don't ask the questions will be upset down the line. Buyer beware.

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Originally Posted by Barnes

I am considering a VW TDi Jetta and using my Jeep for trips, camping and winter storms.

Thinking of bio-diesel? A guy I work with is driving a Mercedes 300D that he's using bio-diesel in and he loves it. Thing smells like french fries though.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

Yeah, and there's no mention of tire feathering on 350z's anywhere either, but its a known problem. Try talking to dealer who services the cars. My wife and I were looking at the Toyota hybrids and spent some time talking with their service manager for known problems and that issue came up. I confirmed it through another source at a Calgary dealership (I know someone in the bis up there), so it was a known problem with the platform itself. Those that don't ask the questions will be upset down the line. Buyer beware.

I have the Civic hybrid and the battery comes with a 8 year warranty. Not sure about the Toyotas but Civic uses the same type of battery the Insight uses. No major problems since they started selling them in 1999. Thats 7 years now.

I'm sure the toyota battery lasts more than 24 months.

One thing is don't buy a Civic hybrid if you are looking for trunk space! there isn't much. hehe. Also the rims on this car is probably the ugliest looking in the world. but i guess it's light and aerodynamic.
Still it gets me 800km's on 35 litres of fuel in the city. and over 1000kms on the highway.

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Originally Posted by Kobatuzzied

I have the Civic hybrid and the battery comes with a 8 year warranty. Not sure about the Toyotas but Civic uses the same type of battery the Insight uses. No major problems since they started selling them in 1999. Thats 7 years now.

I'm sure the toyota battery lasts more than 24 months.

One thing is don't buy a Civic hybrid if you are looking for trunk space! there isn't much. hehe. Also the rims on this car is probably the ugliest looking in the world. but i guess it's light and aerodynamic.
Still it gets me 800km's on 35 litres of fuel in the city. and over 1000kms on the highway.

That is amazing mileage! Also good to hear about the batteries on your Civic. Any Toyota hybrid drivers out there to comment on their cars? It was that fact alone (and verified through two sources) that scared us away from the hybrids. Nice to hear that they are more reliable than promoted down here. I should have asked CalgaryPuck before making the final decision.

[habernac]

I read an article on a cab driver in Vancouver who racked up 300,000+ km on his and the battery was still running strong. I'll see if I can find it online, Lanny.

here's one article:
http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2...sainsbury-cab/

and a better one:
http://www.hybridcars.com/blogs/taxi/batteries

My next vehicle will definitely be a hybrid, just because of the lack of idling pollution (if that's a real term).

[Sylvanfan]

^^^^
Yeah, I saw that posted on a Prius at the dealership when I bought my Rav4 last month. Something about the cab driver figuring he'd paid for his car in two years with the money he saved. Of course thats an extreme case and it was for a cabbie driving around in Vancouver and running the thing 24 hours a day. Of course there could be cabs that had problems that Toyota won't talk about....

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

Yeah, and there's no mention of tire feathering on 350z's anywhere either, but its a known problem. Try talking to dealer who services the cars.

I'm just quoting an article that was based upon the experiences of a group of 2001 Priuses. It's not like it was written and paid for by Toyota.

[Dynamic]

Originally Posted by Kobatuzzied

I have the Civic hybrid and the battery comes with a 8 year warranty. Not sure about the Toyotas but Civic uses the same type of battery the Insight uses. No major problems since they started selling them in 1999. Thats 7 years now.

I'm sure the toyota battery lasts more than 24 months.

One thing is don't buy a Civic hybrid if you are looking for trunk space! there isn't much. hehe. Also the rims on this car is probably the ugliest looking in the world. but i guess it's light and aerodynamic.
Still it gets me 800km's on 35 litres of fuel in the city. and over 1000kms on the highway.

I was looking at the Civic Hybrid but I got the standard Civic. I looked at the rims and almost started laughing. But I sure did wish I got that mileage. I can get just over 700km's/highway and i think mines a 50 litre tank.

[Bertuzzied]

A few other notes about the Civic Hybrid.
It's $4000 cheaper than the previous 2005 model yet it has the new body design,more horsepower and a more powerful battery. It ONLY comes in an automatic CVT transmission. Pretty smooth driving as you never feel the gear changes but I'd prefer a manual.

When you are at a dead stop the car is completely silent. Pretty disheartening at first because it feels like the car stalled. Brings back bad memories of when i was learning to drive a stick. hehe.

There is a meter on the dash that tells you real time how many litres you are using per 100 kms. and a meter that tells you when the battery is charging.

The Prius gets better mileage though because at low speeds, 5-15kph the gas engine shuts off. The Civic doesnt', only when it's at a complete stop. Maybe thats why the Toyota battery is not as good, because you are using it more.

The major drawback with the civic is on the highway. I can get 1000 kms but only if you drive under 130kph. If you drive over it actually uses more gas than in the city! Another is you can't get rust undercoating on it because of the electronics. It voids your warranty.

Also trying to get one is pretty crazy too. If i didn't buy the one in the showroom i would have had to wait 7 months for one.

[Barnes]

Hmm me thinks Barnes should go Hybrid. Does buying one qualify you for any government rebates or tax credits?

[V]

Originally Posted by Kobatuzzied

Still it gets me 800km's on 35 litres of fuel in the city. and over 1000kms on the highway.

Are you serious?? These aren't manufacturer's numbers, but actually your real life mileage?? I might have to consider a change. I pay about 10 bucks a day in gas for my 87 Buick Century. How much are these things going for??

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Dominicwasalreadytaken

Are you serious?? These aren't manufacturer's numbers, but actually your real life mileage?? I might have to consider a change. I pay about 10 bucks a day in gas for my 87 Buick Century. How much are these things going for??

Yes those are real life numbers. well actually it's prob more like 800km's on 37 litres of fuel. I also don't drive on long uninterrupted stretches like crowchild or deerfoot so you might even be able to squeeze more out of it.

Base price is $26k but i paid $31k with the taxes, extended warranty and accesories.

I should have did more research but if you can buy it in the states and drive it up it would save you around $4000 plus you get the coolest looking gps that the cdn models don't have.

[V]

$26k, huh? That's $24k more than the car I own, so it would take an awful long time for the gas to pay that difference off. If I ever find myself in some money I'd definitely look into it, though.

[Flames in 07]

HOZ, the other thing to think about when you are doing your math here is resale value. My biggest concern with current hybrids is that although the technology is improving over the last several years, it's still a dinosour. If good strides are made in the next several years, nobody will want your car, they will devalue faster than similar traditional cars.

Hybrids will not make economic sense for quite awhile, it's more a lifestyle/environmental decision at this point.