<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nerfer @ Dec 1 2006, 06:39 AM) [snapback]355927[/snapback]</div>

So, the gain is about $1 per gallon, then the break even will be 12,000 gallons used for the plug-in option price $12,000, which means after 480,000 miles drive by 40 mpg. Perhaps, the battery won't last such long drive.

Ken@Japan

Anyone looking at saving money or breaking even is deluding themselves considering a HEV or PHEV. You want to try to figure the break-even point between a $8,000 basic Kia and a Prius?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Per @ Dec 1 2006, 11:38 PM) [snapback]356585[/snapback]</div>

You’re absolutely right! It costs more to drive a PHEV then a Hybrid right now because of the battery pack price and longevity. That is a fact. What we need to consider is why some people like me are converting their cars anyway, knowing it will cost them more money out of their pocket.

The fact is, if we don't get the price of batteries to come way down, PHEVs may never catch on. It will remain a novelty, something that can be done but not worth it.

I have found it worth it for myself just to stop using so much foreign oil. It might just be a drop in the bucket, but it is my drop. However, in the long run we are stirring up interest. Investors are putting cash into battery research and factories. My hope is that we will one day make it to breakeven, or that it might even be cost effective.

I drive a $30,000 hybrid because it is what I like and I have to defend breakeven everyday. If I would have bought a $30,000 sports car, I would never be asked about breakeven. Why is that?

The Kia would win hands down. But then again, what is that brake even over a good pair of walking shoes? I’m on the same page as you, but somehow it is not about money anymore?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Per @ Dec 1 2006, 09:38 PM) [snapback]356585[/snapback]</div>

Breaking even or saving money isn't the point for most people who have purchased a prius although it does seem to be a pre-occupation with journalists and some poo-poo-ers. While you might save money after a few years driving a prius, depending on how much you drive, who cares?

I was completely happy to pay a "premium" to have a car that pollutes less and that is very fun to drive. I got a great deal. I got more whiz-bang, and safety features than I can shake a stick at.

Most importantly, we should all be paying some of the cost of that 100 trillion dollar damage that global warming is going to cause. The status quo is unsustainable and economically negligent.

A basic KIA doesn't offer what a prius does in this regard. Catfish?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fibb222 @ Dec 2 2006, 12:09 PM) [snapback]356700[/snapback]</div>

But doesn't it piss you off when some moron driving an H2 says: "Hey that guy over there driving the Prius makes up for my gas usage!"

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cheap! @ Dec 2 2006, 12:23 AM) [snapback]356593[/snapback]</div>

Ask the same question to a SUV owner. Not a single one will give you a response with any respect to money. Their purchase justification is always something other than the expense... obviously.

Our society in general places the topics of emissions & consumption very, very, very low on the priority list. In fact, some even tell us that more is good for our economy, making the appeal of less darn near worthless for helping sell hybrids.

Breathable Air. National Security. Global Warming. You must be a tree hugging freak if you think I'm going to replace my guzzling engine with a hybrid system! I'm so tired of hearing statements like that. Yet, the press continues to support it by writing articles on "breakeven" arguments, essentially contributing to the problem rather than changing focus to those more pressing issues.

Thankfully, we are least hearing "breakeven" nowadays. Years ago, hybrids were easily dismissed if you couldn't prove they would "save money". So not only did people want those emission & consumption benefits for free, they actually had the nerve to insist you should come out ahead.

Sadly, progress is very slow.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(syclone @ Dec 2 2006, 12:02 PM) [snapback]356706[/snapback]</div>

That made me laugh, and it made me think. "The Prius doesn't even make up for its own gas usage let alone for a H2."

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Per @ Dec 2 2006, 12:38 AM) [snapback]356585[/snapback]</div>

Apples and oranges! Have you driven an $8,000 KIA??

Uh, a PHEV gets a lot more than 40 MPG. Try 120 MPG. But it still means 160000 miles to break even.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ml194152 @ Dec 3 2006, 01:25 PM) [snapback]356850[/snapback]</div>

Driving distance using 12,000 gallons at 120 MPG is 1,440,000 miles.

Ken@Japan

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ken1784 @ Dec 2 2006, 11:03 PM) [snapback]356861[/snapback]</div>

You guys are forgetting about battery replacement. You will never get to break even when you add that!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(grasshopper @ Dec 2 2006, 02:29 PM) [snapback]356737[/snapback]</div>

I guess you totally missed the point!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Per @ Dec 3 2006, 01:13 PM) [snapback]356975[/snapback]</div>

Yeah I agree! He/She totally missed the point of that comment!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cheap! @ Dec 2 2006, 11:06 PM) [snapback]356885[/snapback]</div>

Who would actually drive a car long enough to require a battery replacement? I don't plan on keeping my '06 for 200,000 miles. Most people trade their cars at 5-10 year intervals...well before a major repair should be required, ICE rebuild, or Battery replacement. Its a moot point for 95% of the car buyers out there.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cheap! @ Dec 3 2006, 03:06 AM) [snapback]356885[/snapback]</div>

I don't go around and ask any Suv drivers when there going to break even on choosing to buy their gas guzzling Suv!

I hate this argument! I paid less for my Prius then someone who bought an Suv. Even if tomorrow I had to replace my batteries I would still be WAY ahead of them!

There's not to many new cars you can buy your going to break even on. Especially for the sports cars and Suvs. If I compare myself to a Suv buyer and they paid $50,000 for their Suv actually I will be better off then them from day 1 since I will pay less on gas!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tracysbeans @ Dec 11 2006, 03:03 PM) [snapback]360555[/snapback]</div>

Please don’t misunderstand me, but I was just trying to prove their point that if the only reason you're going to do a PHEV conversion is to save money, then right now they will never break even. However, if you are like me, that does not matter and you will do the conversion anyway. I am hoping for a PHEV conversion completion date of March 1. We’ll see.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cheap! @ Dec 11 2006, 05:13 PM) [snapback]360564[/snapback]</div>

Oh ok thanks for clearing that up! I knew from Day 1 when I forked over $30,000 for my Prius I was never ever gonna break even. I didn't care. I would have spent the same amount of money for a different car anyway and also wouldn't have broken even.

I just can't understand why people are so obessed in asking us Prius owners when were gonna break even. I mean they think we don't know what were doing. If someone thinks they are gonna buy ANY $30,000 car and their gonna break even then their just stupid!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Dec 11 2006, 11:33 PM) [snapback]360737[/snapback]</div>

At least whenever we go to the gas station we have enough money left over for a soda or coffee