OT<<HybridS>>

I know that Diesel Power had a comparision/write up about them, comparing them to diesels. I think I still have it, so if you want, I can get you some info out of there. From reading it though, Toyota has the market cornered with hybirds, with the Prius, Highlander and Camary. Not say there are not others, but the Toy's seem to have gotten the best comments, efficiency and are true hybrids, not flex fuel or "cross over" vehicles.

Toyota has the best reviews but Honda is cheaper and good quality.

But I really do not see the purpose of the hybrids. They command a hefty premium in price that will never be recouped from gas savings.

And, resale will be absolutely horrid when they reach the end of the typical battery life. Based upon the current state of the art, I would avoid hybrids like the plague... Toyota will soon find that paybacks are hell....

JMHO

Mike

Seems like they are like a bic lighter. After the 100,000 miles or 8 year battery warranty runs out ya throw them away.

That would be an awful expensive Bic. That is purdy much what I've gathered too. When it's time to replace the batteries, you're gonna cry. I'm not sold on the hybrids quite yet but give them a few more years and they may be ok.

Denny

My only experience is with my brothers Lexus... Dunno what the model is, but it's a mid-size luxury SUV that he paid about $50k for a couple of years ago...

It's the new breed of "performance" hybrids and it really impressed me! I was expecting 0-60 times of about 5 minutes, like the hybrids I'd followed before... This was very impressive, especially merging on the freeway..

If you didn't have the dashboard readout, you just wouldn't know it was a hybrid...

It has 2 electric motors and a special design gas engine... 1 elec for each axle and full time AWD....

The way he explained it to me is that an electric motor has good torque at any rpm, so the car uses them to get the car rolling and at low speed, and mostly the gas engine at speed... I guess the early hybrids did the opposite and the little engine made them very slow..

He said that the engine was very efficient because it was designed mainly for one thing, cruising, so it didn't need a wide power band or to be ably to idle smoothly....

He's gotten up to 50 mpg on trips and loves the car... It is very comfortable and the damn thing handles like a much smaller, sportier car..

He's not what I'd call a "tree hugger", but one of the reasons that he bought it was for the much lower emissions, especially in traffic/city conditions.. YMWV

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

If ya wanted an expert opinion, why didn't you just email snowball directly?

beekeep

Despite the sometimes negative comments about hybrids, I recently purchased a Toyota Camry. Didn't cost that much more that a new VW Jetta TDI, diesel, (I've been driving an 02 TDI) and fuel economy so far is 36mpg town and 42 highway - exactly what my 02 Jetta TDI (automatic) was getting.

When I bought my VW TDI in 02 I looked at the Prius and came close to getting one. However, I liked the VW TDI better and thought it had more room, especially in the trunk. I travel a lot so that was important to me. In my work I've had a chance to drive the Prius some. It seemed OK but I just didn't like the size and room. The newer Prius seems much nicer and but it is still a small car.

I recently bought the Camry hybrid for more room and comfort and have not been disappointed. It has good pickup and torque. You do get slowed down some on really long steep hills but still not bad. Handling is also very good with the traction control system on the Toyota. Not much different than driving the non-Hybrid Camry sedan. It has plenty of power for passing. Back seats are big enough for people to sit comfortably. Toyota hybrid system and gas engine have been used for enough years to have the major bugs out. Trunk is smaller than normal because of the battery but I don't find that an issue now and will just lower rear seats if I need more cargo room.

Many people talk about the batteries and 10 years. Batteries may or may not be an issue in the future. The new Camry hybrid battery is such that you can replace individual cells so expense for replacement is less. I also suspect that 10 years from now things may be different in terms of replacement and types of batteries. Who knows, it is always speculation.

I figure you are going to pay money either for gas or for a more fuel efficient car - one or the other. I preferred to finance it in the car payment since fuel prices are NOT going down significantly. Depending on how much you drive and cost of fuel the added cost of hybrid can be recouped through gas savings in 5-8 years.

Just my experience and opinions. Notice I didn't say anything about saving the environment, defeating global warming, tree hugging, etc. I'm definitely not in those categories! Just liked the car, room, and savings on gas now and in the future. I've owned a number of Toyotas over the years and they have all been good quality, reliable and trouble free - unlike some other cars I've had. I'm also old enough to want my creature comforts and remember gas at 0.269 per gallon!

John

A battery is no stronger than its weakest cell. Replacing one cell at a time as it wears out is pointless.

I've been doing a bunch of reading on them. Seems that the deal on the batteries isn't what it use to be. Under 2K for a replacement. Toyota warranty is for 100K or 8 years. 40mpg is nothing to sneeze at. For me, it would be a saving just to use regular gas. Took a Toyota Camry hybrid for a spin yesterday.it accelerated and changed lanes on the highway like the wifes Magnum V6. I was impressed with it.

Roy

So, does that mean we can start calling you a wabbit loving tree hugger!!

No, you can call me a guy that is having a hard time justifying a 425+ HP car to drive a couple of miles to the beach. I bought Charger with the thought that I'd be making the trip from FL to MA a few times a year for a number of years. Now with the wife deciding to move totally to FL that won't be happening. Also I like toys. If it isn't going to be driven a bunch the Charger ceases to be a toy. So a transportation type car is in order.

As far as loving a rabbit and hugging a tree goes, well. the rabbit is something only a mother could love. I figure his wife is a frustrated social worker.

The cost savings just isn't there. A Honda Civic DX is $16000 and gets

30mpg city. A Honda Civic Hybrid is $23000 and gets 50mpg city. Lets say someone drives well over the national average at 20,000 miles per year. 20000/30 * $3/gallon = $2000 20000/50 * $3/gallon = $1200

A savings of $800/year. It would take 8.75 years to make up for the higher price of the hybrid. Thats not even counting the difference in tax on the two cars which where I live would be $7000 * 8% sales tax = $560 more. Furthermore most people don't drive 20,000 miles a year (I do) so it would be even worse for many.

Come on now Roy...Gimme a big ole hug.........

Denny

Not to think of the couple of grand for new batteries if you keep it that long....

Denny

I couldn't get my arm's around ya!

Roy

Sounds like a group hug is needed!

I can't help you're only 4' 1" tall......

Denny

You can hug the Idiot for us....... Not to mention your buddy Merylee.....

Denny