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SUVs Toyota Highlander 2009 Highlander Hybrid vs. Regular Highlander
7 messages, Last post on Feb 10, 2009 at 7:41 PM
You are in the Toyota Highlander Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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So, I've never had an SUV before because, in the past, all of the models were so big and bulky and I would be too afraid of bumping into things/people/other vehicles if I drove one. Now, though, I am considering getting a more versatile and slim SUV, and I thought the Highlander looked like a rather good choice. I am conflicted, though, of whether or not I should spring for the Highlander Hybrid, or just get the regular Highlander? Everywhere I look, there seems to be a $10,000 price difference between the two! For instance, check out these listings at Maita Toyota, near Sacramento where I live. Hybrid Highlander: http://www.maitatoyota.com/inventory/search.php/ID_maitatoyota/TYPE_new/PAGE_1/S- ORTBY_price/MAKE_toyota/MODEL_highlander/MODEL_highlander%20hybrid/ Regular Highlander: http://www.maitatoyota.com/inventory/search.php/ID_maitatoyota/TYPE_new/PAGE_1/S- ORTBY_price/MAKE_toyota/MODEL_highlander%20hybrid/MODEL_highlander/ I'd like to get any advice I can as to whether it would be more cost effective for me in the long term to purchase a hybrid, or go with the usual gas guzzler? The Highlander already gets pretty good gas mileage normally, so I'm wondering if it's worth it for me to go for the hybrid? Can someone please help me out with this?
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Replying to: bfreeman333 (Feb 05, 2009 4:02 pm)  $2.20 per gallon: 1) HL base model costs $25,705 vs HL Hybrid base model at $34,700. This is a difference of $8995. 2) The city mileage for the HL base is 20, the HL Hybrid 27. If you're driving 15,000 miles per year, you'll use 195 fewer gallons of fuel with the Hybrid, which is a savings of $429 per year. 3) Take your $8995 price difference and divide into it your $429 annual fuel savings, and it will take you 20.96 years JUST TO BREAK-EVEN !!! If the price of gas increases even by 50% to $3.30 per gallon, you'll still take 13.97 years to break-even. If we see gas prices like we did last summer and say it goes to $4.40 per gallon, your break-even point is at 10.48 years. Bottom line: Hybrids pay for themselves faster when fuel prices are higher and most people will never keep a vehicle long enough to break-even, let alone have the purchase of a Hybrid yield any meaningful financial gains. I obviously recommend gas. Hope this helps. |
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Replying to: mdhutton (Feb 05, 2009 8:02 pm) Yes, but can you place a dollar amount on feeling good about doing something to reduce our dependence on imported oil or improving the environment? Those activities are of value to some people. Just a thought.  tidester, host SUVs and Smart Shopper |
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Replying to: tidester (Feb 05, 2009 9:48 pm) Your points about foreign oil and environmental concerns are valid, and if they're worth the extra cost of a Hybrid to some - fine. Let them buy a Hybrid.
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Replying to: mdhutton (Feb 06, 2009 9:12 pm) tidester, host SUVs and Smart Shopper |
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Replying to: tidester (Feb 05, 2009 9:48 pm) By that measure, provided one doesn't need F/awd, I would select the HL with the new I4. Unlike the Prius, the HH and RXh are designed and marketed to the "boy-racer" 0-60MPH personality types. I would also advise a long hard look at the new Venza, fuel sipping I4 and F/awd availibility. One of the main things to consider about the HSD system is that it is relatively inefficient for highway/freeway driving, very little or no "free" energy/fuel to recover. That aspect is bad enough for the Prius or the TCH but with a V6 used to make up the difference..... What are the EPA estimates for the I4 HL FWD...?? or the Venza I4 F/awd...?? vs the HH or RXh..?? |
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Replying to: tidester (Feb 05, 2009 9:48 pm) 
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