Would a hybrid make sense for me??

[des101]

Hi!

This is my first post. I have a 1996 Toyota Corolla, and am thinking of getting a new car.
I have no idea why. :-) (Actually so far, knock on wood, very reliable and I have 99,000+
miles and not much in expenses on the car. Knock on wood again.)

I have been lurking around here for a day or so. And also read up on Cartalk.com
and about hypermilling, which I think can be done on a regular car to some extent.
And also looked at Blue book prices (funny that a 2006 costs more than a new one?!)

I rode in a first gen Prius once, and it was so darn cool. So I was hooked right there
and then. Every time I park near the Prius at work I think "Thou shalt not covet thy
neighbor's Prius." But it is hard work.

Anyway here are my driving patterns:
I drive about 15 miles in one direction to work. The drive is about 2/3rds highway.
(right there I know that the electric engine really only works on stop and go type driving,
at least on the Prius.) On weekends I go about 5-45 miles of stop and go driving only.
During the summer, I do mostly stop and go driving. I use the A/C.
This is the desert Southwest. (I got my car painted white after I moved here.)
Average speeds are 35-40 on regular streets and 65 on highways that I travel on.
(There are 70 speed limits but not where I am.) I tend not to take long trips. I
am an average driver and have 0 tickets and a single back up accident last year
(first in ages).

Other stuff:
I am a teacher in the public schools-- so that means I am not rich!! I don't carry loads,
bikes, etc. The size of the Toyota Corolla is usually no issue. I am short (5'1"). I am
a treehugger. Half my bulbs are compact florescent and I am converting.
I have a digital thermostat. I am thinking of putting up solar thermal panels(not photovoltaic cells)
on my roof someday (might wait on for spray on solar cells).

Did I mention I am a geek? Ok, I am a geek.

One more thing, can a teacher afford a Prius??

Thanks ahead of time for your feedback.


--des

[efusco]

First, the electric motor works all the time, at every speed...it's the only thing to drive your wheels (sort of). The ICE runs most of the time as well, but certain very low speed conditions are good for the electric only running. A lot of people thing there are 2 distinct modes...slow speed electric and high speed gas...and it's just not so.

Next, whether you can afford it or not is b/w you and your accountant. Yes, a teacher can afford it, but not if you have a huge debt, high cost of living, big mortgage payment, 3 ex-wives you're paying alimony to, etc. If there's a teacher's credit union you might be able to get a good interest rate on a new car loan. Also, used '04s/'05s are pretty easy to find these days even in medium size markets, probably for prices in the mid to upper teens. They should continue to be quite reliable.

Your 15 mile commute should be very good since you'll have plenty of time for ICE warm up. What you describe is similar to the route I used to commute...but I changed my commute to utilize side roads instead of the highway (avoided completely now) and to allow me to keep my speeds in the 30-40mph range the entire time. I get around 60-73mpg in warm weather now days. Without changing your commute I'd say you'd be around 50mpg pretty quickly if you drive the speed limit and use good sense.

Finally, the Prius is the current champion of geek mobiles. You'll be in good company if you buy one.

[darelldd]

Honestly - it sounds like a perfect fit for your needs. Evan covered all the other details. I just wanted to vote.

[Godiva]

I'm a teacher. I got an excellent loan from my credit union. If you do direct deposit and can also do instant payment that might help with the interest rate also.

My commute is 12 miles one way, mostly freeway.

I'm getting about 45 mpg or better.

I'm getting PV installed on the roof in a few weeks.

If you can afford to buy the car, it sounds like a good fit. Like you, I buy a car about once every ten years.

Do you have a niece or nephew, son or daughter to "inherit" the old Corolla?

[silver-machine]

Hi another teacher here.

Well we traded in a completely reliable and sound 98 corolla with 145,000 on for the Prius and didnt regret it for a moment.

got an immediate improvement of about 18mpg.

But if you are a geek, you have to buy the prius, its the best gadget on the road !

[des101]

Hi,

There is an educator's credit union. I have a small home equity credit line with another credit
union, and my house is paid for. I have no wives or anything . I have a dog and two cats and
they are not going to college-- though I have encouraged them. :-)
I do one major home renovation thing a year (last year windows, this year swamp cooler, etc.)

I do direct deposit.

I guess 10 years might be about right. Some of them didn't last that long.
Though I actually bought this in 2000 I think. However, I am guessing that this might be awhile.
I usually think a logn time and then do something. I couldn't drive
due to medical issues that have straightened out. I have had several compacts in the past-- Honda
Civic; a Datsun; another Toyota as well as a couple beaters. I have never bought a new car.
But I have had a couple cars with loans. The Honda was the newest car (at the time) and was
3 years old I think. A city truck hit me and it was never the same after that.

I think I would get very good gas mileage as I think I am actually getting better than the fake
EPA mileage, though I don't really know. I am a careful, annoying driver. :-)

My nephew (only one) only drives macho trucks.
Kelley Blue book rates my car as having a trade in value of $1775-2325.

--des


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Jul 18 2007, 01:46 AM) [snapback]480747[/snapback]</div>

I'm a teacher. I got an excellent loan from my credit union. If you do direct deposit and can also do instant payment that might help with the interest rate also.

My commute is 12 miles one way, mostly freeway.

I'm getting about 45 mpg or better.

I'm getting PV installed on the roof in a few weeks.

If you can afford to buy the car, it sounds like a good fit. Like you, I buy a car about once every ten years.

Do you have a niece or nephew, son or daughter to "inherit" the old Corolla?
[/b]

[bc104]

Wether you know it or not, a hybrid makes sense for everyone. Think past yourself and think about the environment. We need to get away from big oil, and a hybrid can get us in that direction.

[qbee42]

The biggest question is whether you are ready for a new car. The most cost effective transportation is to continue with your current vehicle, but if you have decided it's time for a new car, then by all means a Prius is perfect for your driving.

Tom

[ohershey]

Then there is always the argument that the Gen 3 Prius is due out in a year or two. You might want to wait for the shiny new model, with better gas mileage and all of the good things you could possibly desire (well except LiIon batteries and a plug-in charging system....)

[priusincc]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bc104 @ Jul 18 2007, 06:01 AM) [snapback]480828[/snapback]</div>

Wether you know it or not, a hybrid makes sense for everyone. Think past yourself and think about the environment. We need to get away from big oil, and a hybrid can get us in that direction.
[/b]

I agree with this, but you have to decide if the Prii is fiancially feasible, especially with the finance charges, which would increase the time you would get your investment back. Realistically you can get a 40+ mpg car for thousands less, which would buy a lot of gas, and would probably be less to insure and register. Don't get me wrong the Prii is great, and it seems it would be a very good fit for you, but you have to make the decision what is right for your situation.