Hybrid MPG?

I wasn't going to get involved in this thread again (Over and out. Nothing more to say), but it so happens a woman parked next to me and asked what kind of mileage I get with the hybrid. I answered her while I stood in back of her car. I didn't notice it was a fairly new Camry. She told me her husband has Parkinson's disease and has trouble getting in and out small cars and needs to sit up higher. So for the last few seconds of our conversation she says she'd like a hybrid Camry. Then as a consolation to me she says "I like the color of your car though", slipped into her car quicker than s*it and drove off before I could ask her why my car didn't make economic sense but buying a hybrid Camry would. Think about this. What was the point??? I mean, this woman must have been in her middle 60's. Maybe something else was bothering her. Dunno. mark_

I'm not following you. A plug-in hybrid would be totally versatile, being able to run electrically much of the time for most people yet still be able to do anything any car can do by using its engine. I was differentiating this from a pure EV where even you almost have to have a 2nd vehicle to cover longer trips. With a plug-in hybrid it's the best of both worlds.

There is still probably room in the world for pure EV's for families with two or more vehicles or individuals with very short range requirements where longer trips are so rare that they don't mind renting a regular car just like some city folks use public transportation and don't own a car at all but will rent one for the occasional trip.

From now on if I'm in public and someone wants to know what the Prius gets for mileage I'm gonna say'"I don't know. I didn't buy it for the mileage" and leave it at that. Their mind is already made up so why fan the fire.

mark_

But the fact remains in the real world where the average new car buyer who replaces his new vehicle with another new vehicle in three to four years with 45K to 60K on the clock, will never see any savings buying a hybrid of any brand. The premium that is costs, even with all the rebates, is enough to buy all or most of all the fuel to operate a convention powered vehicle during that time period. Even if one keeps his vehicle for seven to ten years, any savings on fuel will be lost when the very expensive battery pact must be changed, or he suffers the corresponding loss of resale value, should try to trade of sell it when it needs a new battery pack. The rest is smoke and mirrors LOL

mike hunt

,snip>

Mike, I've got just two more years to go before I break even. Are you going to be around after that? Just kiddin'. mark_

Like I said the fact remains that at some point in time the battery pack will need to be replaced, even to resell the vehicle

mike

Yes.

Break even, or just earn back the premium you paid?

Will I be around, who knows? I have already lived five years longer than any male in my family has ever lived. When anyone asked how I'm doing I say well I got out of bed this morning. LOL

Considering that used Priuses sell for pretty good prices, I'd say that's not the reason.

OK, amend that to "... coast in on a low can and get..."

Batteries differ and I'm not aware of all the differences. I believe Ni-Cads liked to be fully discharged. If not, they suffered a memory effect and lost capacity. I'm guessing the new batteries are more forgiving in that regard. It's probably a good thing we have computer controls to manage these things for us.

Anyone who is buying a new car that often, without regard to how wealthy he or she may be, is either stone dumb or buying the wrong car or both, and probably deserves the fleecing that he/she will take.

Let's see, one Prius for $21,500 (including $3150 tax credit) kept for seven years @ 49 mpg /or/ two econo boxes for $15,000 each during a seven year period @ 38 mpg. Nope, Prius still wins.

If it needs replacing at under eight years/100k it's on Toyota's tab, not mine. Useful battery life is /probably/ around 150,000 to 200,000 miles, or 10 to 12 years. Most people would not expect a car to have a great deal of resale value at that point; why should a hybrid be judged differently? I /give/ my cars away when they get that old. Latest: 1994 Honda Accord in good running condition, recent emissions inspection, etc, to the Salvation Army in late 2005.

Davoud

I'd answer the question. Could be they want one but are not sure they can afford it. Could be they are not sure they want one but are willing to try it if it will make economic sense for them or if they'll just break even.

Might even save you time to say, "xx mpg," rather than, "I don't know. I didn't buy it for the mileage."

This is pretty simple. Buy what you want & can afford. Hybrid or not, just remember: TANFL!

Sure. And at "some point" the transmission will need to be replaced, even to sell the vehicle... And the engine block... And the axles... And all the body panels...

For my Aerostar, it was time to replace the transmission after 10K miles of use. Then two more transmissions in the next 10K miles.

Now, if a Prius owner has to replace the battery in 8 or 10 years, he'll have a car that's worth at least the price of a battery. If the rest of the car fails around it, he can probably resell the battery.

Of course, in 8 or 10 years, the price likely will have dropped (I remember when AA's were about a buck each and now they're available for about 10 cents). He may even get a better battery for less money. I like those odds.

If I replace a Ford transmission, will I get a cheaper or better transmission? Experience suggests otherwise.

Here's a riddle for you.

Question: You know what they call people who get three transmissions in their Aerostars in 2 years?

Answer: Toyota owners.

NBC commentator said last night each barrel of oil has a 15 to 30 dollar terrorist surcharge on it. Mike, you're a one man army against hybrids and humanity.

mark_

What is a used Pruis worth if the battery pack needs to be replaced? ;)

mike hunt

I believe you will find the battery pack, like all battery warranties, is prorated. Have you ever tried to sell a NINE year old car with a blown engine? If you have you can guess what will happen to the value an 9 year old Pruis with a dead battery pack. I hope you have a capitol account to pay for your $33,000 replacement Pruis, if they are still available, in 2013 ;)

mike hunt

Aerostar? Shouldn't you be posting your opinions in an antique car NG? LOL

mike hunt

I hope you are able to convince more people they can save money it they buy hybrids. If more do the price of gas will not go up as fast, if the increase in demand is reduced. There will be more gas, at a better price, for those of us that want to drive larger, saver, more sporty RWD cars. LOL

mike hunt