1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Gasbuddy Poll: "Would you consider an electric or hybrid for your next vehicle?"

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by BluetoothEdsel, Apr 14, 2014.

  1. BluetoothEdsel

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2013
    164
    25
    1
    Location:
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    48% Yes, 51% No (as of the time of my posting):
    Would you consider an electric or hybrid for your next vehicle? GasBuddy.com

    Discussion:

    [Poll: 2014.16]: Would you consider an electric or hybrid for your next vehicl... - Gasbuddy Gas Prices

    Looks like a lot of people still regard the "hybrid premium" as not worth the gas savings. And for some cars, that's a realistic concern. But when I bought my Liftback in February, there seemed to be no significant "premium" vs. comparable cars, at least hatches. I wonder how much of the "hybrid premium" idea is an outdated or convenient myth - vs. how much is still a realistic impediment to people who might otherwise purchase them.
     
  2. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,307
    3,586
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    It depends a whole lot on your state tax policy.
    Most hybrids are going to cost $4-6000 more than the equivalent non-hybrid version.
    For example, you could get Mazda-3 or Corolla instead of a Prius.

    In my region (north VA), our car taxes are very high 5% per year on the blue book value. Also we have very low gasoline taxes. This means you pay 20-40% tax on the incremental higher cost of the green car, and you will not recover gasoline cost as well since the gasoline tax is lower.

    California I see as intermediate state....you have high car taxes but not as bad as north VA, and you have high gasoline tax so that means hybrid saves more at pump. And of course re: Plug_ins, CA has massive incentives (completely absent in VA) which accounts for approaching 45-50% of Plug_in sales in CA alone.

    Bottom line for me is: due to improved availability of higher MPG conventional cars, it is harder to make the hybrid math work as favorably as it did back in 2006, in my state.
     
  3. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2013
    1,218
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    One
    Per usual the answer is "It depends."

    I would recommend a cheap hybrid like the Prius C or Honda Insight for ~19,000 but not the more expensive ones. You can buy cars that get near-40 MPG for much less money, and saving money upfront is the better deal.

    About 10,000 cheaper than a Prius:
     
  4. -1-

    -1- Don

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2013
    1,247
    434
    8
    Location:
    Chester, Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    :)Yes. I'm already on the band wagon. I reviewed some of the responses on Gasbuddy gas prices. "They" covered every negative excuse not to, to include a few valid reasons. I drive a Prius Plug In to conserve gas because I want to. At this point in my life, I'm going to pay a certain amount for a new vehicle. The hybrid/electric variable is a additional expense I'm willing to pay. What I won't buy is any hybrid vehicle, just because it says hybrid. I spoke to a couple at work who have a "new" 2013 Lincoln MXZ hybrid. He states they're getting consistent average 41 MPG and a high miles (?) per tank. Based on what a Prius hybrid gets, I think he's being overly optimistic. I believe we're on the tip of a exciting future for hybrid/electric vehicles. Yes, I want new, better fuel mileage technology, and I'm willing to pay a fair price. I have a friend who states he does't care about gas prices because he can afford it. Most people can, but at some point, you'll make sacrifices. At the entry level, I drive a 2012 Prius Plug In. I get passed by most cars in my rear view mirror on my daily work commute. Why does he drive that funny looking car? Little do they know, on average, I drive 75% electric and the other 25% is at a bargain rate.
     
    Bozoukitar likes this.
  5. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,044
    15,358
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    • October 2005 - bought a used, 2003 Prius, my daily commuter with 160,000 miles
    • May 2009 - bought a new, 2010 Prius for my wife with 50,000 miles
    Both cars have tow bars; 1kW emergency power inverters; paid off, and; get 52 MPG year after year. Neither car is even close to needing replacement. But I did look at a Lincoln MKZ hybrid last September for the collision avoidance system but the pending government shutdown killed the deal.

    Bob Wilson
     
  6. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,021
    10,004
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    How do you get 10,000 cheaper? I'm finding it only £3590 cheaper than the same-class Auris Hybrid, in a market where both cars and fuel are far more expensive than here in the U.S.

    As best I can see, there is no U.S. price set for it yet. The cheapest current U.S. Focus starts at $19,450, with older style engine and just a 5 speed transmission. Getting the 6-speed Ecoboost next year for $9,000 sounds rather like wishful thinking.
     
  7. jfschultz

    jfschultz Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2004
    635
    114
    0
    Location:
    Germantown, TN
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    How often do you hear of a Lexus driver being told (scolded?) about how much they could have saved if they bought a Toyota?
     
    Former Member 68813 likes this.
  8. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2013
    1,218
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    One
    Every time a luxury car driver starts saying, "I saved X dollars off this car," then I do tell them a Lexus is really just a Toyota (and they could have bought the Toyota for far less).

    Also: When I said about 10,000 less I was comparing the ~26,000 Prius (including tax) versus the ~16,000 Fiesta (45mpg highway).
     
    jonb505 likes this.
  9. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,044
    15,358
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Great!
    Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
    0 [th]2014 Prius[th]2014 Fiesta (auto)[th]metric
    1 [tr][td2]51 MPG[td2]29 MPG[td]city
    2 [tr][td2]48 MPG[td2]39 MPG[td]highway
    3 [tr][td2]94 ft{3}[td2]85 ft{3}[td]passenger volume
    4 [tr][td2]22 ft{3}[td2]15 ft{3}[td]luggage volume
    5 [tr][td2]$24 200[td2]$14 100[td]MSRP low
    6 [tr][td2]$30 005[td2]$21 400[td]MSRP high
    7 [tr][td2]$6 250[td2]$3 250[td]fuel savings over 5 years
    8 [tr][td2]4 stars[td2]2 stars[td]side impact safety
    9 [tr][td2]1.8L[td2]1.6L[td]engine displacement
    10 [tr][td2]595 miles[td2]384 miles[td]range on full tank
    11 [tr][td2]alloy[td2]steel[td]wheels
    12 [tr][td2]spoiler[td2]not listed[td]aerodynamics
    13 [tr][td2]electric[td2]manual[td]windows
    14 [tr][td2]disc[td2]drum[td]rear brakes
    15 [tr][td2]solar roof[td2]n/a[td]solar powered vents
    16 [tr][td2]remote AC[td2]remote start[td]pre-cooling the car
    17 [tr][td2]DRCC[td2]?[td]optional distance following cruise control
    18 [tr][td2]LKA[td2]?[td]optional lane keep assist
    19 [tr][td2]PCS[td2]?[td]optional precollision system
    Source: Fuel Economy

    So the Prius has better fuel economy in the city, highway; more passenger volume and; more luggage volume. Good thing these have no impact in the $8,595 to $10,100 price difference. Then there is the bigger, more spacious Prius, $3,000/5yr fuel savings; better side impact, and; larger engine. So the Prius takes two fill-ups to go the same distance the Fiesta needs three fill-ups, time hanging at a gas station. Then there are the wheels, spoiler, electric windows (try to keep the kids and dogs in the car), and rear brakes. Then there are some nice safety options in the top of the line Prius that I've not found on the Fiesta.

    Bob Wilson
     
  10. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,021
    10,004
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    So why did you use that comment to introduce a video review of a Focus that doesn't yet exist in the U.S.?

    And why are you comparing the larger Prius hatchback to a Fiesta sedan that is even smaller than the Prius 'c'?

    And why are you comparing the Prius price after taxes, to the Fiesta price before taxes and without the Ecoboost engine option required to get the mpg you are heralding?

    This is just more typical TH FUD -- compare non-equivalent configurations, and present the benefits of certain extra cost options as if they were free.
     
    bwilson4web likes this.
  11. dipper

    dipper Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2005
    1,242
    252
    0
    I heard a monthly bus ticket is cheaper than a Prius. Why no one compare that instead with a Focus/Fiesta?
     
    Former Member 68813 likes this.
  12. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,044
    15,358
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Indeed!
    • Bicycles
    • Electric motorcycle
    • Better highway mileage on an airliner
    • Sail boat
    • Roller-blades anyone
    Bob Wilson
     
  13. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2008
    6,146
    4,137
    1
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    I won't consider anything that isn't electric:)
     
  14. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2011
    6,970
    3,207
    1
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    [​IMG]
     
  15. GBC_Texas_Prius

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2010
    218
    38
    0
    Location:
    gbc texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    If you use gasbuddy, it means you care about fuel costs. 51% saying they wouldn't consider a hybrid vehicle is higher than other polls.
     
    hlunde likes this.
  16. KennyGS

    KennyGS Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2014
    1,243
    1,044
    1
    Location:
    Keystone State
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    It's very eye-catching, I look forward to driving it, and everyone else who rides in my Prius enjoys it too.

    To think, I could have spent less and been completely unsatisfied about my decision. ;)
     
    bwilson4web and Bozoukitar like this.
  17. Bozoukitar

    Bozoukitar New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2014
    1
    1
    0
    Location:
    Paradise, California
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    My wife and I didn't plan on purchasing a new hybrid, nor a plug-in hybrid, but when we compared Edmunds Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) with other larger vehicles, we started looking not just at cars with good fuel economy, but at cars that were less expensive to own and operate. That is where the Prius came up favorably with a low TCO, and with the collective incentives from Toyota ($4,000 rebate), the federal tax credit of $2,500, and the California Clean Vehicle Rebate Program of $1,500, the vehicle with a $31,0225 MSRP was available for a net purchased for less than $21k plus CA Sales tax and license. The vehicle gets around 50mph when operating on gas and the equivalent cost of the electricity when running in EV is approximately $2 a gallon for the cost of California PG&E. So far, nearly 30% of our miles are EV. These numbers, incentives, fuel/electric utility costs will vary by state, but I wouldn't assume there is a cost-prohibitive premium to pay for a hybrid/plug-in vehicle.
     
    bwilson4web likes this.
  18. Centis

    Centis New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2014
    8
    4
    0
    Location:
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    III
    The Prius hatchback is a mid-size family car. Within its category the Prius is very reasonably priced for anyone who wants to keep it for more than a few years to see the fuel/maintenance cost savings.

    We have young kids and need the space, so a vehicle smaller than the Prius was out of the question. For what we paid for our '14 Prius 3, $23k before TTL, we felt we were getting a very good deal. If our state offered any additional incentives, we would have jumped at a plug-in Prius instead.
     
    BluetoothEdsel and Bozoukitar like this.
  19. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,245
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Would I consider another hybrid? Just barely, and it wouldn't be any Prius.

    Maybe a used Camry Hybrid at a big discount.
     
  20. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,044
    15,358
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    It is good to have choices. A little pricy, you might also look for Lincoln MKZ coming off of lease. September is a pretty good month for bargains.

    Bob Wilson
     
    cycledrum likes this.