Ask the Car People.SM


Hybrids - News, Reviews and Views in the Press

627 messages,  Last post on Jan 10, 2013 at 4:50 PM

You are in the Hybrid Vehicles Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Camry Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Lexus RX 400h, Hybrid Cars

Messages Page 36 of 63

#347 of 627 Don't EVEN try that on ME my friend !! LOL by larsb

Jul 25, 2007 (11:02 am)

Let's not get crazy......I understand the POWER that the HYBRID PREMIUM has on the NaySayers, but let's not go overboard.
 
I went to Edmunds and compared Standard Features on the 2007 CE and the 2007 TCH - the 2008 specs not there yet.
 
If you read the article YOU POSTED MOPARBAD, the closest non-hybrid Camry to the TCH is the LE V6, not the low-end CE:
 
“The JBL system alone is a $750 option, and the wheels are another $300 when ordered as options on the 2007 Camry LE V6, the closest non-hybrid style to the Camry Hybrid,” said Rosten.
 
At the same time, Toyota increased the price of the non-hybrid Camry, the best-selling car in America for several years, by $100 across the board, with no changes in content, putting its starting price of the 2008 Camry LE V6 at $24,260.
 
So that means the "hybrid premium" (which is a term I despise even mentioning) sits at a cool $940. And if you add in the $650 Hybrid Tax Credit, it drops to a smidgeonly $290
 
To drive my point home better, here are a few things that come standard on the TCH which the CE does not have (and in some cases is not even an option on the CE)
 
29 more horsepower
Deceleration Fuel Cut-Off
CVT tranny
Trip Computer
Traction Control
8-way Power Driver Seat
Remote Power Door Locks
Cargo Net ($34 option for the CE)
Keyless Ignition
Dual Zone Climate Control for Front Passenger and Driver
BlueTooth
 
As the article points out, the closest in equipment to the TCH is the LE V6. So trying to slap a lowly CE into the conversation ain't gonna fly, bubba.......

#348 of 627 Re: Don't EVEN try that on ME my friend !! LOL [larsb] by talmy1

Jul 25, 2007 (11:55 am)

Replying to: larsb (Jul 25, 2007 11:02 am)
The TCH is a 4, and the 2008 is equipped pretty much identically to the LE except for the dual zone climate control on the TCH which isn't even an option on the LE. The best comparison is to the 2008 LE 4 with automatic. This will be $21,075, so the premium is $4,125. If you want to consider the tax credit (I don't think it should be, BTW), the premium is $3,485.
 
The 2007 TCH is equipped more like the 2007 XLE, except for the fake wood and reclining rear seats. It's 24,900, so the premium of the 2007 TCH is $1300, much less! If you consider the tax credit, and turn back the clock one year, there was no premium at all!
 
The 2007 looks like a much better buy (which is why I canceled my 2008 order and bought a 2007), but it does beg the question -- is the XLE worth $3,825 more than an LE?

#349 of 627 Re: Don't EVEN try that on ME my friend !! LOL [talmy1] by larsb

Jul 25, 2007 (12:11 pm)

Replying to: talmy1 (Jul 25, 2007 11:55 am)
Sure it's a 4-cyl, but with the hybrid drivetrain, it accelerates much more like the LE V6, which is why the writer of the article used that comparison.

#350 of 627 Re: TCH Premium!!! Re: That's $2000 MSRP from Toyota. [moparbad] by kdhspyder

Jul 25, 2007 (12:29 pm)

Replying to: moparbad (Jul 25, 2007 10:33 am)
The base TCH is more equivalent to the Base LE not the CE.
The differences between ICE versions of the CE and the LE are..
..keyless remote
..power driver's seat
 
and as larsb noted there is the traditional $2000-$2200 bump for improved power ( V6 over 4c ). Then there's the fact that you get this power with the fuel economy of a Corolla but the room of a Camry.

#351 of 627 Re: TCH Premium!!! Re: That's $2000 MSRP from Toyota. [kdhspyder] by talmy1

Jul 25, 2007 (1:25 pm)

Replying to: kdhspyder (Jul 25, 2007 12:29 pm)
OK, I'll give you guys that it is best to compare to the V6 regarding performance, but the cost of the TCH 4 is better compared to the cost of the 4 in the LE rather than the V6.
 
And looking at it another way, a purchaser in the market for economy would choose the 4 over the V6 anyway

#352 of 627 Re: TCH Premium!!! Re: That's $2000 MSRP from Toyota. [talmy1] by kdhspyder

Jul 25, 2007 (1:30 pm)

Replying to: talmy1 (Jul 25, 2007 1:25 pm)
Here's the brilliance of this product placement. It's right in the middle between the 4c and the V6. There are a lot of buyers who will not consider a 4c anything since it's 'underpowered'. OTOH most Camry/Accord/Altima shoppers normally don't search for the power of a V6 they only look at the relative economy.
 
This vehicle serves both groups and falls right in the middle of the pricing structure of both.

#353 of 627 Is Hybrid Feever Cooling Off by moparbad

Jul 25, 2007 (3:00 pm)

Is Hybrid Feever Cooling Off

#354 of 627 Re: TCH Premium!!! Re: That's $2000 MSRP from Toyota. [talmy1] by tpe

Jul 25, 2007 (3:11 pm)

Replying to: talmy1 (Jul 25, 2007 1:25 pm)
As you pointed out, hybrid buyers really aren't placing a big priority on power. With that being the case I wonder how difficult or costly it would have been for Toyota to put the 1.8L Corolla engine in the TCH? It seems that with the supplemental electric drive it would have had comparable power to the 2.4L that's in the standard 4 cyl Camry.

#355 of 627 Re: Is Hybrid Feever Cooling Off [moparbad] by tpe

Jul 25, 2007 (3:18 pm)

Replying to: moparbad (Jul 25, 2007 3:00 pm)
I'd seen that article before. The new epa mileage ratings make the hybrids seem less impressive but actually more cost effective. I suspect that is lost on most car shoppers. I'm also very interested in these new diesels that are supposed to start showing up in the US. I've read reports that stated the technology required for them to meet US emission standards has negatively impacted their mpg advantage. If that ends up being the case they wont be as popular as I had originally anticipated.

#356 of 627 Re: Is Hybrid Feever Cooling Off [moparbad] by larsb

Jul 25, 2007 (3:45 pm)

Replying to: moparbad (Jul 25, 2007 3:00 pm)
Merely 49% more hybrids sold in June 2007 than June 2006....
 
If that's "cooling off" I wonder what HOT is?

Messages Page 36 of 63

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement