Would you like to buy a hybrid car?
By estherlou
@estherlou (5015)
United States
May 28, 2007 11:33am CST
What is a hybrid car? Hybrid cars are gas powered cars with electrical motor assist. Some hybrid cars are qualified as "Clean Fuel Property" by the IRS. Some hybrid SUVs like the Lexus RX400h are even SULEV rated (Super-Ultra-Low-Emission Vehicle), appealing to the environmentally conscious new car buyer. Many hybrid vehicles are coming to market in the form of hybrid cars, hybrid trucks, and hybrid SUVs. Here are some examples of hybrid autos: Lexus RX 400h hybrid, Lexus GS 450h Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Accord Hybrid, Honda Insight Hybrid, Toyota Prius, 2007 Toyota Camry hybrid, Toyota Highlander, and Ford Escape Hybrid. This site talks all about operating a hybrid car. Scroll down to the bottom for pros and cons of owning a hybrid car. It's interesting reading. (http://www.carbuyingtips.com/hybrid-cars.htm)
Hybrid cars are more available than I thought. The Toyota Prius is the #1 selling hybrid vehicle. In SUV's and Minivans, the Ford Escape Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient SUV on the road. You can also buy a Lexus RX 400h SUV, the Toyota Highlander SUV, Mercury Mariner SUV, Saturn Vue Green Line, and the Toyota Sienna Minivan. Here is a site that compares some of them side by side. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybrid_sbs_cars.shtml
Another site talked about pros and cons of hybrid cars. Pros...higher mpg, less pollution, better performance, and tax breaks. Cons...problems with the hybrid batteries, and higher purchase price. http://hybridreview.blogspot.com/2006/04/pros-and-cons-of-hybrid-cars.html
I have a 1989 car. I still think I'd like to look into a hybrid for my next one.
8 people like this
29 responses
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
28 May 07
Since the Toyota Prius is the #1 and I've even heard of the Ford Escape, I would think those were readily available.
1 person likes this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
28 May 07
I definately would buy a hybrid vehicle. But it must be in the catagory of a minivan or SUV.
I do not like driving small cars. I hate getting in and out of them.
I think hybrids are the immediate future of vehicles.
But we should continue to to develope even more fuel efficient vehicles.
LLoyd
2 people like this
@redyellowblackdog (10629)
• United States
28 May 07
Check out this web site for more info on hybrid cars.
http://cars.about.com/cs/familysedans/a/hybrid_explain.htm
Here is a quote from the article above.
" Those same critics have insisted that if you replace the batteries after the warranty expires, it will most likely cost several thousand dollars. Toyota claims prices will drop as hybrids become more popular; battery packs currently run around $4900."
1 person likes this
@shoffman2000 (560)
• Alexandria, Virginia
5 Jul 08
sometimes not the battery but the battery connection that needs cleaning anyone facing a battery issue with hybrids needs to explore this
@redyellowblackdog (10629)
• United States
28 May 07
Before buying a hybrid car, look into how long the batteries last and what it costs to replace them.
Unless this has been improved very recently, anyone is better off money wise to get a small diesel powered vehical. Even the better small gasoline powered cars do almost as well or better than a hybrid in having a low total cost per mile to operate.
1 person likes this
@shoffman2000 (560)
• Alexandria, Virginia
5 Jul 08
batteries are not the issue/ Hydrogen is explosive
@urbandekay (18278)
•
29 May 07
No, I already drive the most environmental friendly vehicle and it's not a hybrid.
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
29 May 07
hmmmmmm..a bicycle or horse and buggy? I give..what are you driving that is environmentally friendly? ahhhhhhh....maybe an electric motor scooter?
@urbandekay (18278)
•
29 May 07
Hmmm, yes I should have thought of those, particularly the horse as I am a keen horse rider but I meant my automobile and though it only does 25 to the gallon it is extremely environmentally friendly.
all the best urban
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
29 May 07
I had my mind set on a brand new Ford Fusion AWD BUT, with the gas going up up up, I'm seriously thinking of a hybrid now. I'm a die-hard Ford fan so I'm hoping that by the time I do buy my next new car in bout 2 yrs, Ford will have one in hybrid. The Ford Escape hybrid sits too high for me with my motor route so that's out of the question. With my route, I'll be using the electric motor more than the gas motor so will be saving alot on gas. Now, if only they can come out with a complete solar-powered sedan that can seat 4 people comfortably, I would be in heaven. lol
1 person likes this
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
29 May 07
You know...solar power has been around for quite a long time. Since I'm totally ignorant on the subject...it just seems to me it wouldn't be too hard to have solar panels on top of a car running the thing! How hard could it be? LOL I think it would be ideal!
@wantaferrari (142)
• India
29 May 07
Yeah...with hybrids u dont sacrifice much on power and punch but still u reduce emissions by a long way...talk about the best of both worlds. I would certainly buy a hybrid if it looked like my ordinary car and went like one..And its about time we stopped being cynical and looked into the most dangerous thing to mother earth today-global warming...Also, in the near future, Govt.s are thought to come up with laws which will eventually spell the end of the car as we know it toady...HYBRIDS THE WAY TO GO
1 person likes this
@usmcsgtwife (4997)
• United States
29 May 07
All depending on the cost.. I hea very good things about them I am just not sure I would be able to afford to buy one
1 person likes this
@kulanuwun (1404)
• Indonesia
29 May 07
No, I am sorry I do not have that much money to buy or even to rent, I am just poor boy whose live in a big city. Thank you
1 person likes this
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
29 May 07
I was just reading an article about the Hydrogen powered cars actually and then ran across your discussion. I think that we definitely need to move in a new direction with vehicles. To make our dependency on oil decrease. If these cars were readily available and affordable, I am sure at least 50-60% of all people would rather drive these fuel efficient, more economic vehicles. One of the major problems is the high initial cost of these vehicles. Many people can't afford to shell out the high prices. I left a link to the story I was reading below.
http://archives.cnn.com/2002/TECH/ptech/10/09/fuelcell/
1 person likes this
@UDDERONES (887)
• United States
29 May 07
Yeah I would definately buy one. I drive so far that gas is out of this world. I have to fill up twice a week. I drive 100 miles a day. I just can't afford the price of a new hybrid right now.
@sandeep_t (428)
• India
29 May 07
Yes i wouldl ove to own one of those next generation cars. The main reason is it doesnt pollute and lost cost fuel, and infact many of the hybrid cars are designed to use water. It breaks water into hydrogen and oxygen. Oxygen aids the combustion of hydrogen. There are also hybrid cars designed the other way. It directly uses hydrogen and gives out water vapor. But i feel it takes some time for them to be commercially available and affordable.
1 person likes this
@kgwat70 (13388)
• United States
29 May 07
I would love to buy one but they are too expensive and will not save us gas money because the cars themselves are too expensive and then having batteries replaced and other things will cost a lot too. I think buying a smaller, more fuel efficient car is the better way to go unless you are wealthy and can afford the hybrids. I have one friend who bought a hybrid but do not know if he likes it or not.
1 person likes this
@mytwo_daughters (2663)
• United States
28 May 07
I'd like to own a hybrid car for my next car too. The thing is is when I do drive, sometimes it's for long distances. So I am not sure how it would hold up. I mean what happens if you need to recharge? Then are they going to have stations where you can charge up your hybrid? It will be interesting for sure!
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
28 May 07
Absolutely it is better for the environment and our pocket books. They will have to be priced so the majority of people would be able to afford one though. Seems like the only option in this world where our supply of oil if threatened like it is. Protecting our interests in the environment and pocket book and way of life is only prudent.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (92501)
• United States
28 May 07
If I could afford it, I'd love to get a hybrid car. But that is not financially possible for me right now. I can't afford to buy a new OR used car. And it won't be possible for at least 3 more years. At that time, they may change these cars and they might be more affordable. But I'm definitely open to getting one when I can. I'd probably like to get the Ford Escape Hybrid now, if I could.
1 person likes this
@wisedragon (2325)
• Philippines
29 May 07
Absolutely. I think it's a huge step towards making our environment cleaner by reducing emissions. If I could I would definitely buy one in the future, especially that Toyota Highlander!
@enkayblog (69)
• United States
29 May 07
Hybrid cars are nice specially because gas prices are up. With a national average of over $3.20 a gallon, its pretty easy to say that the demand for hybrids is going to go up. I dont know for me, the price paid for a hybrid upfront is a little rough on my pocket book. For example, I own a toyota highlander and a standard base starts at 24,000 and with options can cost around 30 grand but a highlander hybrid starts at around 30,000 and with options can even top 36,000. So the 6,000 difference in the price upfront seems a little high to me but obviously its all a matter of preference and how you like it. Ofcourse its fantastic for the environment!
1 person likes this
