CR: Hybrids make more sense than ever

[ChapmanF]

"Gas/electric hybrid vehicles present a conundrum for many car shoppers. They typically deliver the best fuel economy in their class, but they're also priced higher than similar conventional cars. So it has been difficult to know whether a hybrid will save money overall.

"Not anymore. With gas prices soaring, our latest analysis of owner costs shows that you can save more than $4,000 over five years by choosing a hybrid over a similar conventional gasoline-powered vehicle.

"Six of the 12 hybrids we looked at can save you from about $500 to $4,250, even without tax credits, and pay back their price premium after only one year. They are the Toyota Prius and hybrid versions of the Chevrolet Malibu and Tahoe, Ford Escape, Saturn Vue, and Toyota Camry. For several, you can save even more by taking advantage of federal tax credits."

"Which Hybrids Save You Money?", Consumer Reports, October 2008, pp. 40-43.

[usbseawolf2000]

So... Honda Civic Hybrid does not save the buyer money?

[tochatihu]

It sounds like they are correcting their earlier errors about hybrid vehicle depreciation rates. I don't mean the double counting, I mean the inflated rates themselves. Does the word 'retraction' appear in the article?

[Silver 2008]

Originally Posted by usbseawolf2000

So... Honda Civic Hybrid does not save the buyer money?

No. Not in five years. Consumer Reports figures came out 500 in the hole after 5 years with the Honda Civic hybrid.

Mike

[TonyPSchaefer]

Originally Posted by tochatihu

Does the word 'retraction' appear in the article

It doesn't have to. It's been more than six months since their error; the average American doesn't have a memory that long so for them it's all new.

[cwerdna]

Originally Posted by TonyPSchaefer

It doesn't have to. It's been more than six months since their error; the average American doesn't have a memory that long so for them it's all new.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. The stupid junk science CNW "study" came out in around March 06 (http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-hy...tahoe-suv.html) and the junk science CCSU article came out in March 07, yet to this day, I still keep hearing the "Prius does more environmental damage than a Hummer" crap.

It seems like at least once a month, I fight a battle w/someone quoting the above junk science. It came up <10 days ago at Chrysler can't give away cars these days - MY350Z.COM Forums.

[MikeSF]

and pay back their price premium after only one year. They are the Toyota Prius

*sigh*.... so what exactly is the "non-hybrid equivalent" to the Prius again??

[Codyroo]

There is no such thing as a hybrid premium either. Why does no one (no one = journalist) ever question how long the payback is for leather seats, a more powerful engine, or a better suspension? Yet you pay more for each and every one of those.....

Comparing the Prius to a Corolla....ugh.

[Silver 2008]

Originally Posted by MikeSF

*sigh*.... so what exactly is the "non-hybrid equivalent" to the Prius again??

Well, there is no direct comparison, since there is not a non-hybrid Prius. Consumer Reports compared it to a Toyota Corolla XLE, which is about as close as you'll get. The Corolla gets even better fuel economy than the non-hybrid Civic. CR said the Prius would cost 4,840 more than a comparably equipped Corolla.

Mike

[nyty-nyt]

One has just to look in Auto Trader for asking prices for used hybrids to see that my the asking price for my used Prius is more that I paid for it, even before my government rebate.
I'm sure every Prius owner would pretty much find them in the same position.
I think it looks like we made a great investment, with or without a non-hybrid equivalent.
That said, mine is not for sale.