Hybrid MPG?

I met a 73 year old while getting my propane tank filled. I soon discovered he needed someone to talk to. My trunk lid was open and I sat right there while he told me his life story. He pointed proudly to his 10 1/2 year old Dodge pickup with only 40,000 miles on it and not a bit of rust. He leaned in close to my face and says "You'll never see a goddamn jap car in my driveway". I smiled and sat up, lowered the lid of my car and pointed to the Toyota emblem. For a moment he was lost for words. I said not to worry. I wasn't offended. Before too long he was talking about how AT&T screwed him out of his proper retirement, doesn't believe in AC for his house, and how successful his grown children are, and he's too old to do anymore energy conservation projects. I sincerely hope I made his day.

The problem with hybrids is not with the engineering, but the cost compared to a conventional powered vehicles of the same size and with the same equipment, that make hybrids not a smart purchase if ones intent is to save money. One can save a lot more money, and fuel, by simply driving less. If ones intent is to save fuel, the planet and to own a rare vehicle, that is a whole other story. In any event one is free to spend their money wherever, they wish I could not care less.

mike hunt

Buyers should hear both sides of the discussion of the value of owning a hybrid. My only purpose in commenting on the thread is that some are trying to convince others one can save money by buying a hybrid vis a v a conventionally powered vehicle of the same size and with the same equipment. That my friend is a demonstrable fallacy. Several comparison have shown that, even with tax incentive and even if gas went to $5 a gallon in three years, todays hybrid will not save money for the average new car buyer during the same they will own the vehicle. In fact, should the battery pack need to be changed during that time, it will actually cost many thousands of dollars MORE.

mike hunt

But those two things don't match up. You're talking about people changing cars in 3 or 4 years not getting a payoff. But the battery is warranted for double that.

Oh, my! The big, bad, batttery pack bogeyman is out to get you!

Get a grip. If the transmission in your Aerostar must be changed, it will actually cost many thousands of dollars MORE. I know. Been there, done that.

Now, Ford's gone to a 5/60 warranty. Still far short of the warranty on the Prius battery pack. GM is still offering 3/36.

What's more likely to suffer a mechanical failure? A purely solid state device or something filled with whirling gears and fluids?

If your "only purpose in commenting" is to explore the pros and cons of hybrids, then I'd expect you not to sneer at the savings on brake linings and oil changes but to take them in to account as part of the analysis. But you didn't. Ergo, you're full of crap.

Driving less is certainly the best way to save fuel. However, it's not always entirely practical and some would both drive less and use less per mile for the remaining driving.

You could not care less? You might go back and check the number of times you've posted on this topic and see if you "could not care less."

In other words as long as somthing is under warrany and you don't have to pay the price there is no cost? ;)

mike hunt

Now I understand everybody else who has done cost effectiveness studies of hybrids is wrong, and you an expert who owns a vehicle that has been out of production for many years, is the only one who is right LOL

mike hunt

Mike Hunter trolled:

Mike Hunter trolled:

I've had my '06 Highlander Hybrid Limited since November. The bottom line answer to your question is ... depending.

Also, I only have 10K miles on it. Dealer says the engine's not fully broken in until 15K at which point full MPG potential is available.

To be sure, this is an amazing machine. To name my top 3 favorite moments: =E2=96=AA Standing still with the motor on while I'm chatting with a neighbor, then "bye ..." and I'm watching his reaction as I glide off silently like a hovercraft; =E2=96=AA Going up my very steep driveway at 1mph without the slightest hesitation. I've even gone very slow uphill in reverse and still the same silkly smooth response from 0. The continuously variable transmission is magic. I've heard smaller aircraft are starting to use CSVs for their inherent efficencies; =E2=96=AA The power. This sucker can accelerate! I'm never in doubt about my passing ability.

Gee. MPG isn't even in my top 3. And I'm not concerned about it. When Toyota offers a plug-in upgrade, I'll do it. Then perhaps I'll consider putting 100-500mpg in the top tier.

Proud to own this beast.