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

Hybrids don't make financial sense

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by Troy Heagy, Oct 30, 2013.

Page 1 of 8
  1. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2013
    1,218
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    One
    If you are TRULY trying to save money, hybrids don't make sense. You can buy base model cars from all carmakers that are only 13, 14, or 15 thousand in cost, and yet still get 40mpg on the highway. No hybrid's fuel economy would make-up their ~10,000 dollar premium.

    Nissan Versa (sedan or wagon) - 40 mpg
    Mitsubishi Mirage (wagon) - 44 mpg (wow!)
    Chevy Spark (wagon)
    Ford Fiesta
    and on and on and on. All of these cars range in price from $11,800 to ~14,000. You get near-hybrid economy without the huge 10 grand premium pricetag. Let's say I bought the Mirage instead of the Prius. That's $13,000 difference in price and for the prius to recover that cost, I would have to drive over 1 million miles!!! Nuts

    Another example:

    It makes a LOT more sense to buy a Prius C (or insight) for $19,000 than a standard Prius for $25,000. You save $6000 dollars upfront, and you'd have to drive the standard prius close to 1 million miles to recapture that premium (over the C).
     
    #1 Troy Heagy, Oct 30, 2013
  2. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2011
    3,159
    988
    0
    Location:
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Troll trying to bait us. Moderator, please eliminate him. :)
     
    #2 usnavystgc, Oct 30, 2013
    cwerdna, Chuck. and rufaro like this.
  3. amm0bob

    amm0bob Permanently Junior...

    Joined:
    May 29, 2008
    7,730
    2,546
    0
    Location:
    The last place on earth to get cable, Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I've had folks offer me more than 10K for my 2008... what does your ICE motor only car that gets over 40mpg return if traded in.

    SOmetimes it's the return on investment that is the deal clincher Bra... just saying.

    Soooo... what knid of car is your "other hybrid"...

    [​IMG]


    Don't quash dissent by eliminating their words Bra... push the facts at them and listen to the crickets.
     
    #3 amm0bob, Oct 30, 2013
    Zythryn likes this.
  4. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2011
    3,159
    988
    0
    Location:
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I just see that posted on here about every week. It gets old.
     
    #4 usnavystgc, Oct 30, 2013
    amm0bob likes this.
  5. amm0bob

    amm0bob Permanently Junior...

    Joined:
    May 29, 2008
    7,730
    2,546
    0
    Location:
    The last place on earth to get cable, Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II

    As an old fart myself... I get that...

    I just don't think getting old is enough reason to shut me up... or anyone else for that matter, unless they are insulting or inciting a riot... which, as I remember, starts often enough in here... [​IMG]

    Have a grand day Bra... and don't take what happens in Fred's personally... after all, that's what Danny made it for. [​IMG]
     
    #5 amm0bob, Oct 30, 2013
  6. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2011
    3,938
    1,351
    28
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    So, who's stopping you?
     
    #6 Sergiospl, Oct 30, 2013
    amm0bob likes this.
  7. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2005
    15,232
    1,562
    0
    Location:
    off into the sunset
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    It's not just the hybrid premium, it's the batteries that wear out so quickly, and cost many thousands to replace. To top it all off, even Hummers are better for the environment! ;)
     
    #7 hyo silver, Oct 30, 2013
    SageBrush and amm0bob like this.
  8. amm0bob

    amm0bob Permanently Junior...

    Joined:
    May 29, 2008
    7,730
    2,546
    0
    Location:
    The last place on earth to get cable, Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II

    Who doesn't like getting a Hummer...

    [​IMG]
     
    #8 amm0bob, Oct 30, 2013
    ftl likes this.
  9. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2013
    1,218
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    One
    Other than 2 or 3 exceptions, no Prius has ever needed a replacement battery.

    I never trade-in my cars (hybrid or otherwise). I drive them until they stop moving, so I really don't care about residual value. To me a car is an appliance (like a TV, fridge, DVR, microwave)..... use it until it dies & then junk it for a new appliance/car.

    I was merely addressing New cost of a normal car versus a hybrid car. If I was poor or lower income, I would look at the various hybrids which cost around $25,000 and then I would look at the base model Kias, Hyundais, Hondas (Fit) or Toyotas (Yaris). They cost 14-16,000. Those base cars still get 38-42 mpg on the highway and will save a LOT of gasoline, but do it for ten thousand fewer dollars (initial cost).

    And no I'm not as "nice person". I am a hybrid owner who happens to speak the inconvenient truth
    .
     
    #9 Troy Heagy, Oct 30, 2013
  10. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2005
    15,232
    1,562
    0
    Location:
    off into the sunset
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hey now. Nobody called you an nice person.

    I disagree on the 'inconvenient truth' bit. Having a hybrid - a Prius, specifically - has saved me significant amounts of money over the years, and not just in gas. Even after eight years, I haven't yet spent a dime on brakes, for instance. And I get a significant discount on my insurance every year, from a hybrid-friendly insurance company.

    With respect to the Prius, this 'hybrid premium' theory has been thoroughly and repeatedly debunked.

    Plus, you're not comparing similar vehicles. A $25,000 Prius is a completely different vehicle than a $15,000 Yaris.

    If you really want to focus on the cheapest, greenest way to get around, you wouldn't be looking at any type of car. You'd be taking transit, cycling, walking, or working from home.
     
    #10 hyo silver, Oct 30, 2013
    Bob G IA, fuzzy1, amm0bob and 1 other person like this.
  11. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    11,627
    2,530
    8
    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Here is another inconvenient truth: most people do not live on, and restrict themselves to, highways only.
    And another: Prius to Yaris is a poor comparison. Yes they are both cars, but so is a Yugo.
     
    #11 SageBrush, Oct 30, 2013
    fuzzy1 and amm0bob like this.
  12. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2009
    6,722
    2,121
    45
    Location:
    North Yorkshire, UK
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I have to agree with the op BUT not everyone buys a car to make financial sense.
     
    #12 GrumpyCabbie, Oct 30, 2013
    massparanoia and amm0bob like this.
  13. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2012
    2,593
    763
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    I just love it, when I'm in heavy traffic and am in EV mode, while all the others around me a sweating on how much gas they are burning and wasting.
     
    #13 Mike500, Oct 30, 2013
    amm0bob likes this.
  14. amm0bob

    amm0bob Permanently Junior...

    Joined:
    May 29, 2008
    7,730
    2,546
    0
    Location:
    The last place on earth to get cable, Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Especially around here during the holidays... traffic slows and my ICE turns off on the freeway... as long as I don't gun it or use the air cond fan, I can make it almost all the way down Howe Ave without it coming back on.
     
    #14 amm0bob, Oct 30, 2013
  15. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    11,627
    2,530
    8
    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    ymmv, but T. Heagy is trolling.

    E.g.,,
    I wanted a wagon (longer hatchback than a Prius.) Diesels were no cheaper, and other choices get ~ 25 mpg combined EPA fuel economy. Over the ~ 300k miles I expect my Prius vagon to last I will save ~ $24k USD in fuel. Know any alternative choices that are free from the dealer ?
     
    #15 SageBrush, Oct 30, 2013
    fuzzy1 and amm0bob like this.
  16. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2009
    6,722
    2,121
    45
    Location:
    North Yorkshire, UK
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    But we have many many more options for economical vehicles that you just don't get. OK, some won't meet your emissions, some will. Some aren't fast enough for your roads, others are, but the Prius has more competition nibbling at it's toes than in the US.
     
    #16 GrumpyCabbie, Oct 30, 2013
    amm0bob likes this.
  17. amm0bob

    amm0bob Permanently Junior...

    Joined:
    May 29, 2008
    7,730
    2,546
    0
    Location:
    The last place on earth to get cable, Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II

    You have a V...

    I'm thinking about one too...
     
    #17 amm0bob, Oct 30, 2013
  18. amm0bob

    amm0bob Permanently Junior...

    Joined:
    May 29, 2008
    7,730
    2,546
    0
    Location:
    The last place on earth to get cable, Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Y'all also get the little deisels in the minivans from Dodge too, we don't get them here... and I read they get 40+mpg...
     
    #18 amm0bob, Oct 30, 2013
  19. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2009
    6,722
    2,121
    45
    Location:
    North Yorkshire, UK
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    It's about £10,000 over other options. It's well overpriced. It's sold (and priced) on the benefit of being eligible for free entry to the London Congestion Charge zone, as is the Prius where one could save £2,000 a year. Trouble is, only 150,000 cars enter that zone every day, many are taxis and buses and gain free entry. There are over 1 million cars sold in the UK and Toyota are chasing a small market.

    I have shown previously that a 7 seat Peugeot could be had for £10,000 less than the Prius+ (your V). I like the hybrids, I like what they stand for, but £10,000/$16,000 is a high premium! :(
     
    #19 GrumpyCabbie, Oct 30, 2013
    amm0bob likes this.
  20. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    11,627
    2,530
    8
    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    If the extra space behind the front passengers is a priority the Prius Vagon is hands down an amazing deal. The car has turned into the best car purchase I have ever made, and that is saying something since I have been very satisfied with our other cars ( Honda Civic, Subaru Impreza, Prius, Lexus CTh)
     
    #20 SageBrush, Oct 30, 2013
    Bob G IA and amm0bob like this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 8