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Hybrid Vehicles Hybrid Vehicles - Archived Discussions What type of hybrid should I buy? 
453 messages, Last post on Aug 19, 2005 at 6:05 PM
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Replying to: backy (Aug 10, 2005 6:37 pm) |
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Let's think about this one for a second guys and gals: If everyone was "smart" and waited two years to buy a newly developed car, what would be the REAL result? What would happen is that the car makers would realize this, and make only about 20 cars in year one, since they knew NO ONE would buy one. So all these "test drive only" cars would be sitting at dealer lots, right? They would get driven maybe 5,000 miles in two years. Would that REALLY be enough to work out all the supposed "first two years kinks" and get the engineers enough knowledge and road testing to know about and solve all the possible design problems? I don't think so. Waiting two years is not "smart" but is merely "unfounded old school paranoia." |
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Replying to: larsb (Aug 11, 2005 6:45 am) YES! I agree 100%. ALL cars have "issues" regardless if its the first year of a particular model or the 3rd year. Beleive me there's no way a auto manufacturer can identify a problem, develop a solution, and have it implemented in 1 year. Let's take an imaginary scenario- lets say its 1999 and honda rolls out a newly developed minivan. Suddenly in 2000, a few reports come in about some cars having transmission problems. Is it a problem or a freak statistical anomoly? hmmm lets look into it some more. then it's 2001, and even more transmission problems are reported. By now the population is large enough to see that the transmission is more than a statistical fluke. Time to further investigate and develop a solution. now it's 2002 and we have a solution, BUT the tooling for the 2002 is already in place and the changes can't go into effect until the 2003 model year. (remember the previous generation mustang? that platform was like 20 years old. By this myth, the mustang should have been perfect) Auto manufacturers always have a few "refinements" every couple of years on a model cycle- but this has more to do with marketing than it does engineering. Certainly "simple" glitches may be fixed in a very short time frame- but these are usually things, that while I don't like, I can live with. Some problems don't show up until 4 or 5 years. How is buying the 3rd year going to magically erase these "hidden" issues? stevedebi should have rephrased his original statement to: "I'd stay away from the Escape Hybrid because Ford does not have a proven track record of quality control as other manufacturers do" (he did later clarify his point to this effect) Now to get back on track- If you want 'new' and you want 'hybrid' consider the HH. It doesn't cost that much more and I think you get more for your money. if you want strict economy, get a used CRV. |
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Replying to: larsb (Aug 11, 2005 6:45 am) Your scenerio will never exist. If Hydrogen cars came out next year would I buy one? not a chance. I waited 5 years to buy a hybrid. |
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Replying to: slickwill (Aug 11, 2005 7:32 am) Railroadjames(Why aren't there Senior Discounts  Car Dealerships?)(They've tried everything else!)  P.S. *This unique starting system has got to be a pretty good theft deterent. Don't you think? ALSO ...For those that think Hybrids are new to the scene...NOT...Toyota has been building them for over 11 yrs. Get It? |
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Replying to: slickwill (Aug 11, 2005 7:32 am) THAT scenario is the unrealistic one. My point exactly, which leads to my major point: Don't wait to buy a hybrid because it's NEW - that's a faulty position to take.
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Replying to: slickwill (Aug 11, 2005 7:32 am) Yeah, look at you- you bought a prius  I'm just kidding- I'm not bashing you or the prius- i actually really like the prius. But what's an appropriate amount of time to wait? if 5 years is better than 2 years- does this mean 10 years is better than 5 as well? by your logic, you should have waited another 5 years to see if there was any truth to this "battery issue." I'd say if you like what you see, the price is right, you've done your homework, and you think the company has a proven track record rolling out new technology, then go for it. Waiting 1, 2, or 10 years wont hedge your bet in terms of reliability.
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Buying a car is 1/3 intellect and 2/3 emotion. That's why people still buy cars in their first model year.
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Replying to: otis1 (Aug 11, 2005 8:06 am) OK, now new technology. I am a conservative guy. When I first heard about Hybrid technology I realized how brilliant it was. Obviously electric wasn't going to work until there was a breakthrough in battery technology. When new technology comes out, the large car companies don't expect to sell a large number of them, they have other agendas. They will subsidize all the testing and put the cars through its paces. Do you really think they let the public find all the problems? Some people will buy the new technology, just like they bought the EV1. People will buy the car when it is ready, just like Prius is ready and Civic is ready. Look at the sales. You can't tell the public "buy new technology", and expect them to do it. Some people will buy it early, some people will buy it later. When the car is ready, that is when I will buy it, and most of America agrees with me. Look at the sales. I will tell you what, when that first hydrogen car rolls off the assembly line, you run and buy it, support them all you want. I don't have the money to blow on a hunk of #$%&.
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Replying to: larsb (Aug 11, 2005 7:55 am) larsb - THAT scenario is the unrealistic one. My point exactly, which leads to my major point: larsb - Don't wait to buy a hybrid because it's NEW - that's a faulty position to take." Do you realize how that sounds? You don't understand what I mean by an unrealistic scenario? What I mean is a scenario that is not within the realm of possibility. You are the one that came up with the scenario saying that this could happen, now you agree with me that it is not possible? Think about what you are saying before you say it. I never said don't buy a hybrid because it's new. I say wait to buy new technology until it is ready. That is a free economy, sellers have to prove their products to us.
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