Agree. Hard to put a $ value on time. I'm just wondering what people are able to get in terms of a premium on the cars if they have the California HOV stickers (no longer available).

 

I'm not aware of anyone on this board having sold a stickered vehicle as of yet, thought I have read in the news the same as you: vehicles with stickers are going at a $2k-$4k premium.

Keeping in mind that, at minimum, those stickers are going to be worth (N) min. to you per day, 240 days a year for the next four-and-a-half years, I think you'd need to decide what the value of that amount of time is worth and prepare to pay accordingly. If you bill out your time, say, at $100/hour and you save 40 min. each day ... well that's a $71,000 savings by having the stickers. What's that worth to you?

 

Good point. That's exactly my thinking--there's huge value to me. I'm actually buying a stickered California HCHII from my brother hopefully. I don't know how to fairly compensate him. I know....it's sticky!

 

Great discussion on perceived premium vs. "true" value... On the flip side of this argument, here's something to mull over:

Like a lot of folks living in Northern CA, I wish I could have taken advantage of buying a car when HOV stickers were available. Unfortunately, the timing/ finances were not right for me at the time. BUT, now that HOV stickers are NOT available, the built in premium on a new HCH has dropped considerably. Enough for me to pick up my new HCH w/ nav for 1800 under MSRP. I'm not sure that deal would have been available for me last year.

So intrinsic value, and premium definatley work both ways

 

Funny....this thread started probably two or three years ago. Since then I've been through two hybrids (I'm now on a HCHII).

Recently I had to request replacement HOV lane stickers. What a PITA!

I had to fill out the same form I did years ago, furnish the bad stickers, and submit a repair order from a body shop. Our friends at the DMV waited 4-6 weeks then sent my request back with a question about one of the stickers. Long story short, I resubmitted, got back in that 4 week line and voila.

Today I have my replacement stickers!

A lot of complaining, but those HOV lane stickers are gold!!!!

 

Can you provide more details as to the circumstances as to why you requested and received the replacement stickers? Are the replacement stickers for a damaged bumper or wrecked vehicle that was replaced?

I also found this info on the DMV website which I did not know:

Effective January 1, 2009, DMV may issue new Clean Air Stickers to ORIGINAL owners of qualifying hybrids purchased to replace hybrids that have been subsequently declared total/loss salvage. Applications for replacement must be filed within six months of the date of total loss/salvage.
Applicants previously denied decals for a replacement vehicle may reapply and have their applications accepted through March 31, 2009.

 

Sure...my car was hit when a lady ran a red light. Needless to say, I needed some body work and consequently had to replace a couple stickers. I've been running in the carpool lane with less than a full set of stickers, but now have them and can drive in their worry-free.

Hope that helps.

 

Thanks, that helps. FWIW, I only have one sticker on my HCHII, the rear bumper since we bought the car in Nov 06. I feel all the stickers are overkill and take away from the look of the car. The other stickers are in a safe at home and I keep a copy of the stickers in the glove box in case I get pulled over. I drive the Bay Area somewhat regularly and have never had an issue with only one sticker.

 

Samething happened to me. I was in an accident, rear bumber replaced, sent a copy of the bodyshop paperwork and my $8 to DMV...new stickers in 3 weeks.

 

Our California HOV lane access expires ...what at the end of next year. What are you guys going to do?

- Hang on to your car and drive with the 'general public'
- Sell your HCH
- Find a way to carpool or find some other way to access the HOV lane (getting a NGV or something)

Thoughts??