Posted on February 5, 2011.
Hybrids overrated?? Ok so it's just a question I am asked about ..... feel free to correct / suggest anything you feel may be wrong ...... Ok ... I understand most hybrids save you gas by running on pure electric or part when you go under a certain speed (full-electric Prius happens if you go under 30 mph I think). Apart from that ...... if you exceed that speed .... it only works on gas .... just like a "normal" car .......... right?? Now, I do not know about you ..... but almost all the roads I drive on speed limits of 40 mph and above ..... So this brings me to the conclusion that hybrids will not save me any gas ... .. I actually lose money b / c they are more expensive than non-hybrid ..... im assuming hybrids are best for city drivers or ppl who ride in many stop and go since you are driving under 10 mph lol.
But I think I may be mistaken .... I'm looking at consumer reports and they say (eg) a Honda Civic Hybrid is 40 city / 45 highway ...... Prius is vice versa ..... . mph and the Camry Hybrid are also better on the road ...... ok i dont you how this works please explain ...... ..... I'm looking to buy a car soon and I do not know if i should just get a NO hybrid or fuel efficient hybrid ....
oh I heard hybrids more expensive to maintain ..... True or false?
and give me the best hybrids ..... below $ 30k ..... i dont need to hear about these luxury hybrids ..... lol.
one more thing ....... This is purely for me to know what car I will save the most money in the long term ...... i dont care if its non-hybrid or hybrid ..... . I am basically saying is that I do not give a **** about the environment ...... it's just to save money ...... just wanted to be clear ...... (And if you are a enviromentalist --- No need to answer this question --- unless you talk about how I can only save $$$). Thank you.
if you just want a car to drive and save money, it will be better for you to buy a smaller car (eg Honda Fit or a smart fortwo) instead of getting a hybrid. the biggest question of hybrids is their maintenance - what happens when the battery fails huge? How much would it cost?
However, it does save you money on fuel and is greener because of its size, the Prius is supposed to be in the same class as the Camry in terms of interior space. also, while the gasoline engine is running at highway speeds, it is simply to assist the electric motor. That is until the electric motor runs out, at which point the gasoline engine also works to recharge the batteries.
also, you may want to note that even when the batteries are exhausted, or when running on the highway, the gasoline engine on a hybrid is lower than a similar car - a Prius has a 1.5L engine while a Camry or a 2.4 liter or 3.5 liter, and a Civic Hybrid has a 1.3L with the standard 1.8 or 2.0 liters. Assuming you drive for energy efficiency that will save you A LOT.
Well, you can always save gas, because it is a vehicle of 40 mpg or better in general anyway. It is it REAL practice in stop-and-go is that it's main claim to fame for versatility. My friend's new wife drives a Prius and loves it. It is driving most of the roads, but it is still 45-50 mpg.
Regarding the cost? The big problem is that nobody really knows how much they will charge the replacement battery packs when they go wrong. So if they cost $ 2,000 or more, plus the cost of the car .... can not save you money? Probably not. Does it save a lot of gas? Yes, yes. So if you care enough to pay the environment for one of these, then it's worth it. If you just care about your wallet, you can buy a small 3-cylinder Metro or similar car and get 50 mpg, but at a much lower cost. Or the new Mercedes Smart Fortwo. Only $ 18-22k at a reasonable price, and can get over 50 mpg highway. I saw the Fortwo is a.
