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Does the current situation affect hybrid sales more?

108 messages,  Last post on May 20, 2009 at 1:35 PM

You are in the Hybrid Vehicles Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer

What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda Civic, Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Mercury Mariner Hybrid, Saturn Aura Hybrid, Saturn VUE Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid, Car Buying, Coupe, Hatchback, Truck, Sedan, SUV

#14 of 108 Re: Prius at highest levels on the lots [boaz47] by gagrice Nov 28, 2008 (8:26 pm)
Replying to: boaz47 (Nov 28, 2008 6:24 pm) With Toyota and Ford lots busting at the seams I think a person with patience could cut a good deal on a Hybrid. I like to start at invoice and go down from there. After riding in my friends 2009 Prius, I would never buy one. Just too rough around the edges comfort, noise and ride. I test drove a Yaris while my Sequoia was being serviced. It was Yugo time in my opinion. I have never seen a Yugo up close. It was what I perceived from my little drive in one. Strictly entry level. Not even close to the Jetta or VW Beetle. Neither was the Prius. If I wanted a small car. The new Jetta TDI would be right at the top of the list. Owners getting 50 MPG and the handling is great. Time will tell if VW has improved reliability. I know my 2005 Passat TDI was great the year I owned it. Only car I kind of miss. That and my Suburban.
#15 of 108 Re: Prius at highest levels on the lots [gagrice] by _starrman_ Nov 29, 2008 (7:35 am)
Replying to: gagrice (Nov 28, 2008 5:07 am) I actually have a Highlander Hybrid and took into a consideration of factors for my purchase.   1. I was looking at the macro perspective and wanted to do my part in lessening our dependency on oil... I just got back from Iraq with the military, so I guess that pretty much sums up this reason. 2. Our county charges personal property tax for every vehicle owned... hybrids are tax exempt from these taxes. So my savings in the payoff difference has now accelerated compared to just saving fuel. 3. The vehicle is very roomy, comfortable, and is surprisingly a very quiet vehicle (can't say much in comparison to a Prius... but I'd imagine it's better). 4. In the DC area, we can ride in the HOV lanes as a single passenger with hybrids... for those that's driven in DC before, that in itself is a lifesaver! 5. Of course, the environment - I guess I'm helping a little bit in that too. 6. The Highlander Hybrid uses regular unleaded. For a vehicle that has all the premium features that it has, I don't have to rely on paying extra for premium fuel as other vehicle manufacturers recommend with similar vehicles in it's class. 7. Great reviews from Consumer's Report so far and so far from my experience, I'd have to agree with them. 8. Toyota reliability and resale value (although it will be interesting how hybrids will fit into the equation years down the road.. but I planned to run it to the last mile anyway). 9. From what I understand, less wear and tear and the engine since it's assisted with the hybrid technology... brakes are also less prone to wear and tear as well since the hybrid electric motors take some of the load off in braking to regenerate it's charge in the batteries.   I avg about 24-30mpg (mainly depends if I run the heater a lot, how conservative I drive it).   I guess it depends on how you look at things by putting all the considerations together... if you really enjoy driving your vehicle, see the overall value(s) in what you're getting out of it, the benefits that you're gaining from the additional cost in the long run, and feel that you got a good price for what it serves... then at least you're making an informed decision. Although I may have paid some extra... I still feel pretty good about the purchase regardless.
#17 of 108 Who knows? by lemko Nov 29, 2008 (8:18 am)
Someday, hybrids may be regarded as a historical curiosity or maybe they'll catch on and become the de facto standard for automobiles. Whatever, I hope progress towards better fuel economy proceeds. We will all benefit regardless of the price of gasoline. Replies to this message: pf_flyer (Nov 29, 2008 10:40 am)
#18 of 108 Re: Who knows? [lemko] by pf_flyer HOST Nov 29, 2008 (10:40 am)
Replying to: lemko (Nov 29, 2008 8:18 am) I don't think hybrids become THE answer. But they certainly create pressure on the conventional ICE vehicle to improve fuel efficiency whichis a good thing.
#19 of 108 Re: I'm lost [gagrice] I'm wiser than Ever! [railroadjames] by oldfarmer50 Nov 29, 2008 (11:19 am)
Replying to: railroadjames (Nov 26, 2008 8:16 pm) "...I was bold enough to take the plunge when lesser folks shyed away..."   You may indeed have made a smart move if you bought your hybrid a few years ago when gas was cheap. That takes courage. So many folks though ran out in a panic this summer and dumped their SUV for a 10K loss while picking up their hybrid for 3K over sticker.   They would have to drive to the moon and back to have saved any real money. That's just foolish in my book.   I think the smart move now would be to buy a SUV for pennies on the dollar and drive it on the cheap gas. In a year or so when all the people who bought hybrids get tired of them and trade them in, there will be a glut on the market and you can walk away with one cheap.   Buying a car so you can feel smug is usually not a good idea from a financial point of view. This applies to both hybrids and SUVs.
#20 of 108 Re: I'm lost [gagrice] I'm wiser than Ever! [railroadjames] [gagrice] by kdhspyder Nov 29, 2008 (2:51 pm)
Replying to: gagrice (Nov 26, 2008 8:54 pm) That's why there are so many choices. OTOH after 40+ yrs of driving all kinds of cars from every maker except Nissan I find the Prius to be the most comfortable ride I've ever had.   Why? Because it's not soft and cushy. It's firm and supportive. Just personal preferences I guess.   You are right it does not minimize road noise at all. It's the trade off between extra weight for sound dampening materials and lighter weight for better fuel economy. Replies to this message: andre1969 (Nov 29, 2008 3:07 pm) kdhspyder (Dec 01, 2008 6:03 am) gagrice (Nov 29, 2008 4:26 pm)
#21 of 108 Re: I'm lost [gagrice] I'm wiser than Ever! [railroadjames] [gagrice] [kdhs by andre1969 Nov 29, 2008 (3:07 pm)
Replying to: kdhspyder (Nov 29, 2008 2:51 pm) You are right it does not minimize road noise at all. It's the trade off between extra weight for sound dampening materials and lighter weight for better fuel economy.   I'd also imagine that the Prius has some kind of special tire that's a little extra hard, to reduce rolling resistance?   I've never driven a Prius, but I have ridden in a few. I think it's pretty comfy and roomy. Definitely a step above something like a Yaris or Corolla. I don't think it has enough shoulder room to rightfully be called a midsized car, even if the EPA says it is. But IMO it's a very comfy 4-seater.   My biggest beef with the Prius is that I just can't get past the styling. Well that, and the fact that I don't drive nearly enough to justify ever buying something like that. But I can see its appeal, in the right circumstances. Replies to this message: kdhspyder (Dec 01, 2008 6:03 am)
#22 of 108 Re: I'm lost [kdhspyder] by gagrice Nov 29, 2008 (4:26 pm)
Replying to: kdhspyder (Nov 29, 2008 2:51 pm) I did not find the ride that uncomfortable. Though we only went about 5 miles. It seemed like my two test drives in the original Prius back in 2000 were much quieter than this 2009 model. The most important thing is my buddy loves it and that is good enough for me. He drives from home 2 miles to church and to the golf course. Fits his needs and saves wear on his little Nissan PU truck.
#23 of 108 Do I Care About Gas Prices? by railroadjames Nov 29, 2008 (7:51 pm)
Well sure I do!! The thing is ...When gas is cheap it costs even less for me to fill up and go 500 miles plus between visits to the pump. When gas crowded 5 bucks it sure was less painfull for Prius owners. For those of you not getting on the great bandwagon for whatever reasons I say....Find me an unsatisfied Prius owner. As of yet I have come up zero. Everybody that owns one thinks it's the best thing since duct tape. I'm at nearly 95 K and I can't remember ever (I said ever) had a car that delivered such dependable, thrifty, and green car satisfaction. One other noticable plus with my Prius...It takes up so little room in the garage that I never experienced B/4.

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