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Help me understand the value of the hybrid.

38 messages,  Last post on Sep 11, 2008 at 7:55 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, Car Comparisons, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Coupe, Hatchback

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#11 of 38 Re: Help me understand the value of the hybrid. [sumrx4] by etroup Dec 26, 2007 (12:13 pm)
Replying to: sumrx4 (Dec 13, 2007 8:41 am) Your math is entirely correct. There is no econonomic advantage. Plus, the hybrid batteries and other components are only good for a reported 100k. There is a major expense at around 100k to replace the very expensive batteries. So if you look at TCO beyond 100k miles of usage and include expected maintenance costs as well, the number may well come out even worse.   This may be why in a lease calculation, the residual values for a hybrid appear very low resulting in higher than expected lease payments. Replies to this message: pathstar1 (Dec 26, 2007 1:36 pm) kenlw (Aug 28, 2008 10:47 am) kdhspyder (Aug 28, 2008 3:31 pm) carbot (Mar 20, 2008 8:25 pm) janakiram (Jul 08, 2008 9:16 am)
#12 of 38 Civic Hybrid by thegraduate Dec 26, 2007 (12:39 pm)
May I ask why you are overlooking the Civic Hybrid?   $22,600, comes with lots of standard equipment (Automatic Climate Control, Steering-Wheel Mounted Audio Controls, PW, PL, etc...45MPG Hwy estimated.   Seems like it would be a good middle-of-the-road choice for you. Lower initial cost, still gets great mileage.
#13 of 38 Civic Hybrid by thegraduate Dec 26, 2007 (12:38 pm)
May I ask why you are overlooking the Civic Hybrid?   $22,600, comes with lots of standard equipment (Automatic Climate Control, Steering-Wheel Mounted Audio Controls, PW, PL, etc...45MPG Hwy estimated.   Seems like it would be a good middle-of-the-road choice for you. Lower initial cost, still gets great mileage.
#14 of 38 Re: Help me understand the value of the hybrid. [etroup] by pathstar1 Dec 26, 2007 (1:36 pm)
Replying to: etroup (Dec 26, 2007 12:13 pm) You keep posting that the batteries will wear out around 100K mi. Please advise where you got this information.   The information -I've- seen indicates they usually last much longer than that. The original Prius (Prius Classic - 2000 to 2003 in the US) -may- have battery problems sooner than the current car. Toyota has improved the batteries a lot in the current model. One problem estimating battery life is the current model car has only been here for 4 years max. Very few owners put more than 25,000 mi on a car each year.   Now, I'm not going to gloss over battery failures. There have been somewhere around 10 to 15 in the current model (2004 to 2008) according to Toyota US, last I heard (this past summer). All were warranty replacements. Considering there are well over a million cells "on the road" that is a small failure rate indeed! There are 168 cells in each Prius. If one fails the battery will have problems. Amazing that so few have problems, isn't it! For example, there is a Camry Hybrid with over 336,137 mi on the original batteries. There is a Prius taxi in Vancouver BC with over 300,000 km on the original batteries.   Perhaps you should rephrase that to "I think the batteries may only last XXX mi".   The Prius is still at the top of the list re most economical fuel wise. That is NOT the only or even a good reason to buy one. It is also one of the lowest emitters of pollutants. It is very well designed body wise, being very adaptable to carrying a wide variety of loads. It is also rated as the most reliable family sedan by Consumer Reports.   If it falls in your economic ability to buy one, I see no reason to shy away. I love mine.   I bought it because, in order of importance to me: 1. Body design is amazing - outside the size of a "small car", inside the size of a "midsize car". Extremely adaptable, and well thought out! 2. Technology. It's an amazing piece of work. 3. Fuel efficiency. You may or may not ever recover the "hybrid premium", but as nobody can foresee the future, that point will be debated ad nausium! Replies to this message: kenlw (Aug 28, 2008 10:47 am) kdhspyder (Aug 28, 2008 3:31 pm)
#15 of 38 Hybrids don't make sense. by g_allen Mar 20, 2008 (1:48 pm)
quoted from railroadjames......."Don't forget...you're 'greening' the world!!"   Hate to sound like a pessimist, but there is little that hybrids do to "green" the world. Considering the environmental damage that occurs during the making and disposal of hybrid batteries (this info. is widely available on the Web and other places) one really has to question how much they are really helping dear Mother Earth.   People buy hybrids for MPGs. But, after one does his/her due diligence and realizes there is virtually no benefit from a cost perspective when comparing price of entry into a hybrid and return of fuel savings, they realize it doesn't make any sense. It can take many, many years to recoup the investment depending on how many miles one drives each year.   In a nutshell, hybrids present nearly zero value to a consumer at this point. Of course, this will likely change as more and more hybrids are manufactured and prices begin falling. Additionally, rising gas prices could begin to create measurable value as well. However, until engineers can design eco-friendly batteries, hybrids will never truly be "green" and will continue their own destructive nature to the environment. Replies to this message: railroadjames (Mar 20, 2008 6:45 pm) carbot (Mar 20, 2008 8:27 pm)
#16 of 38 Re: Hybrids "DO" make sense. by railroadjames Mar 20, 2008 (6:45 pm)
Replying to: g_allen (Mar 20, 2008 1:48 pm) Bottom line is...you can critisize the battery sys but they are durable, dependable and they give the ice engine alot of rest in various traffic situations. Can't tell you how many times I've been stuck in traffic (in electric mode) while a 9mpg "Hummer" is gulping gas going nowhere.75K and 4 plus yrs brings me to one more fact .....almost$11,000.00 in savings in those 4 yrs compared to my last V6 S.U.V. that got 14-16 mpg's on average. The '04 Prius averaged 46-48 overall. (gas $3.20 per gal). Oh!! Lets not forget resale value. Bought mine for $19,995.00 plus s&h. Today (onaverage book is 16-17K). See any used for sale? Very rare. Find any other car worth as much. One more thing Motor Trend...Car & Driver...Consumers Report. ..All praise the Prius. They must be pretty smart I'd say. So ...Where's the "zero value" you threw into the equation? Lastly...I feel pretty smart as to the continued body style since it's basically the same for 6 yrs. Must be a keeper by those kind of numbers. Warrantee ain't bad either. I've owned over 50 cars (I'm 63yrs young) and had some great and some not so great. The Prius ranks #1....nuff said. Replies to this message: carbot (Mar 20, 2008 8:27 pm)
#17 of 38 Re: Help me understand the value of the hybrid. [etroup] by carbot Mar 20, 2008 (8:25 pm)
Replying to: etroup (Dec 26, 2007 12:13 pm) Where are you getting your "reported 100,000 miles" figure. I have nine friends with Prius' and none of them has ever had any problems, much less battery problems. My '04 Prius has over 188,000, and no hint of a battery problem. It is a true "battery", not one cell. You can replace one cell if needed. I don't know of anyone who has had to do even that. With 188,000 plus on the original brakes, and absolutely no other problems, this is the most cost effective car I have ever owned, not to mention comfortable, economical and eco-friendly. Consumer Reports retracted their blanket statement that hybrids are not cost effective, for the Prius only, The Prius resale value is much higher than they initially expected. If you don't have any experience with owning a Prius, you should not play the expert and give advice about them. Replies to this message: janakiram (Jul 08, 2008 9:16 am)
#18 of 38 Re: Hybrids "DO" make sense. [railroadjames] by carbot Mar 20, 2008 (8:27 pm)
Replying to: railroadjames (Mar 20, 2008 6:45 pm) Amen Brother
#20 of 38 Re: Help me understand the value of the hybrid. [carbot] by janakiram Jul 08, 2008 (9:16 am)
Replying to: carbot (Mar 20, 2008 8:25 pm) I recently met a doctor in Kentucky who commutes 90 miles a day, did 160,000 miles on his 2002 Prius and traded it for a 2006 and already has over 50,000 miles on it. The only compliant is the fabric covers on the console and door arm rests gets dirty in every day use - my friend recommends leather covers sold on E-bay at $24 for the center comnsole and $16 for each arm rest. He lives in the coal country - his headlight cracked when hit by a piece of coal falling off a truck - new headlights cost $800 a pair. He recommends headlight shields, also available on E-bay at $18 a pair. By the way I just did a 2,000 mile trip on my Prius and averaged 43 MPG at 75 MPH, full loaded with three adults plus gear. The car felt solid and confident in heavy downpours, but traction is marginal on wet unsurfaced pavement.

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