Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Hybrid Vehicles Hybrid Vehicles - Archived Discussions Honda Accord Hybrid - worth the extra $$$? 
223 messages, Last post on Feb 07, 2006 at 6:12 PM
You are in the Hybrid Vehicles - Archived Discussions Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer
This discussion is ARCHIVED. To reactivate the discussion, post a request in the Lost? Ask the Hybrids Host for directions! discussion.
|
positives: 1) better mpg 2) slightly more power 3) higher resale at trade 4) lower emissions 5) saving money every time you fillup the tank 6) hybrid-only dashboard instruments allow you to more closely monitor your driving habits to achieve better efficiency 7) the emotional boost of knowing you are helping the environment 8) no emissions at all when stopped at a red light negatives: (see my comments after yours in the parentheses) 1) higher MSRP (getting more car for the money, will be returned at trade time) 2) less likely to be discounted or have low APR (not in the future when they become commonplace - that's the cost of being an "early adopter" of ANY new technology - look at the prices of LCD televisions today versus 18 months ago - when you buy early, you usually get no or low discounts - this is not AT ALL solely a Hybrid car phenomenon.) 3) less choice in what's on the lot (actually, they are pretty much limited in options and colors anyway - most come loaded with only the Navigation system optional. You can always ORDER EXACTLY the config you want.) 4) Higher weight - which using the same braking system is likely to increase stopping distances (and exactly how many times in your LIFE have you had to make a full braking high speed emergency stop? I have driven more than a million miles in my life and I have not ever had to do that. Don't buy a car based on stopping distances unless you are a madman who does emergency stops on a normal basis.) 5) mechanics unfamiliarity with the hybrids (most modern cars require dealers to fix them - this is not a hybrid phenomenon.) 6) a hybrid system adds extra parts - statistically have increased the probability of components to fail. (not a problem when the car is under warranty. do what I do and buy an extended warranty and be worry free for 100K miles) 7) smaller trunk. (not an issue if you dont need the extra space, or buy a roof carrier. In the 13 or 14 cars I have owned, I made do with the space I had. Again, if you are buying a car because of trunk space, it would seem like you need a wagon.)
|
|
|
Replying to: larsb (Mar 18, 2005 10:18 am) me: you aren't "helping" the environment in any way when you buy a vehicle and run it. There are other cars and modes of transportation which are just as clean and efficient. And tell the environment to stop polluting the environment - that Mt. St. Helens and its relatives make a bit of air pollution, and all those lightning strikes which cause forest fires that burn millions of acres every year. You're worried about tiny little cars, and our impact on the environment, when you should be worried about the environment killing us off - Yellowstone supervolcano. I think hybrids will sell to the mainstream buyer when you can get any premium back in gas savings in 2-3 years of usage. Right now I'd say I'd pay $1500 extra for a hybrid over a non-hybrid. And I don't want it to be on a $30K car. A 1.8S Sentra auto sells for $11K around here. Sell a hybrid Sentra for $12.5K and I'd try it. Or a hybrid Focus, or Neon. |
|
|
I think it is funny that if you tell most people you want to buy an Acura TL instead of a Honda Accord it is almost universally and instantly understood that having a slightly more exclusive car is probably worth the premium. But try to explain you want an Accord Hybrid instead of an Accord V6 and people whip out their mental spreadsheet and start tallying savings. Maybe because the cars are so similar (hybrid v non-hybrid accord). I also think in this culture it is easier to explain spending more to one up others on luxury than compete in the arena of perceived enviro-friendliness. Whether the hybrid really is more or less enviro friendly we could debate all day. My point is social posturing via conspicuous consumption is more readily understood than posturing via having the perceived greenest or most enviromentally friendly car. It tells you something about ourselves. I agree that if the pay back on a hybrid is quick, you will get more takers. It is always easier to appeal to enlightened self interest rather than an appeal to advancing the common good. Just the way we are wired or socialized, I guess. |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: backy (Mar 17, 2005 11:16 am) Where? Canada |
|
|
|
|
Don't forget the tax savings from the IRS. $2,000.00 a year deduction.
|
|
|
Replying to: newdaddyof2 (Mar 30, 2005 7:22 am) |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: nowakj66 (Mar 19, 2005 7:02 am)
|
|
|
Replying to: midnightcowboy (Mar 30, 2005 12:28 pm)
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: blane (Mar 30, 2005 6:00 pm) 
|
|
You are here:
Forums
Hybrid Vehicles Hybrid Vehicles - Archived Discussions Honda Accord Hybrid - worth the extra $$$?
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 Honda Accord
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
