CNN/Money Article: Are Hybrids Worth the Money
#21
Re: CNN/Money Article: Are Hybrids Worth the Money
Originally Posted by tbaleno
When you bought your current car, did you look at the price tag and compare it to all the other cars to make sure you were getting your moneys worth? Did you buy the one that had the total lowest cost of ownership + sticker price?
#22
Re: CNN/Money Article: Are Hybrids Worth the Money
Originally Posted by moneyguy
Dave -
You may be right about the batteries. We don't really know yet, which is basically my point.
As for the rest of my post, I stand by it. For those who want to be activists and spend more money to stop the alleged global warming and to reduce dependence upon foreign oil, hell, go for it. Its your money. Me, i'll continue shopping at Wall-Mart for certain things because it is cheaper even though they put the moms-and-pops out of business. America votes with its wallet, and some studies are showing that hybrids, on a cash-vs-cash basis, are costing more to operate than a standard car.
Personally, I'm going to investigate more in the next year. My cars are paid off, and when you factor in a car payment against the fuel savings and higher hybrid purchase cost, it makes no sense for me to just go out and buy one.
You may be right about the batteries. We don't really know yet, which is basically my point.
As for the rest of my post, I stand by it. For those who want to be activists and spend more money to stop the alleged global warming and to reduce dependence upon foreign oil, hell, go for it. Its your money. Me, i'll continue shopping at Wall-Mart for certain things because it is cheaper even though they put the moms-and-pops out of business. America votes with its wallet, and some studies are showing that hybrids, on a cash-vs-cash basis, are costing more to operate than a standard car.
Personally, I'm going to investigate more in the next year. My cars are paid off, and when you factor in a car payment against the fuel savings and higher hybrid purchase cost, it makes no sense for me to just go out and buy one.
America may vote with its wallet as you put it, but, again, money is not the only factor when it comes to autos. Almost every single car in the parking lot outside my office building could be replaced with a cheaper alternative, my hybrid included. A car is about more than cost man . . . every BMW, cadillac, customized mustang, raised F-150, or hybrid that pulls up next to you on the freeway is proof of that.
#23
Re: CNN/Money Article: Are Hybrids Worth the Money
Those Mars rovers have been wheeling around for over a year on batteries only. The same NMH type batteries the hybrids use. I'll bet the climate on Mars is far more severe than here. If its good enough for NASA its good enough for me.
I agree with you, if you have a good reliable car paid for don't run out and buy a hybrid yet. By the time you do need a car the hybrids will be improved, cheaper maybe!and more options to choose from.
My car kicks Gass and burns amps,
Dave
I agree with you, if you have a good reliable car paid for don't run out and buy a hybrid yet. By the time you do need a car the hybrids will be improved, cheaper maybe!and more options to choose from.
My car kicks Gass and burns amps,
Dave
#24
Re: CNN/Money Article: Are Hybrids Worth the Money
I always said I would not get a new car until my old '92 Ford Taurus died. Well, then I noticed that I spent nearly $1000 on it in the last 5 months, with more to come, just to keep it running. And I was suffering on hot days because the A/C was broken. And the front door wouldn't always stay closed. And the water pump leaks. And it was too expensive to get it aligned...mechanic said it would be cheaper to keep buying new tires.
So I decided it was time for a new car. I set my budget and looked at all the options. Tundra pickup, Mazda RX-8, Pontiac Solstice, Mustang, etc. These looked great and I was tempted because I thought "how cool would I look in one of these babies?"
But my wife already has an SUV (4-Runner), so we don't need another truck. And living here in Silicon Valley, I've been seeing tons of hybrids on the road. Honestly, I didn't like the looks of the Prius or the Insight. Too "Jetsons" for me. But the more I read about hybrids, the more interested I became in the technology. I started thinking I couldn't wait until they made "normal" looking hybrids.
I'm a gadget freak by nature, so buying into new technology is enticing. When I saw and test drove the Honda Civic Hybrid CVT, I knew that's what I wanted. Sure, it doesn't have the sexiness of the RX-8, or the hauling power of a Tundra, but it has many things that surpass that to me....cutting edge technology, efficiency, "geek" factor (hey, I'm in Silicon Valley!), and the smooooothest ride I've ever felt.
Sure, I could have spent less on a normal Civic, but if I did that, why not get something a bit sexier? Either way, they pollute more, run louder, and need to be filled up more often.
The HCH hit the sweet spot for me for many reasons.
So I decided it was time for a new car. I set my budget and looked at all the options. Tundra pickup, Mazda RX-8, Pontiac Solstice, Mustang, etc. These looked great and I was tempted because I thought "how cool would I look in one of these babies?"
But my wife already has an SUV (4-Runner), so we don't need another truck. And living here in Silicon Valley, I've been seeing tons of hybrids on the road. Honestly, I didn't like the looks of the Prius or the Insight. Too "Jetsons" for me. But the more I read about hybrids, the more interested I became in the technology. I started thinking I couldn't wait until they made "normal" looking hybrids.
I'm a gadget freak by nature, so buying into new technology is enticing. When I saw and test drove the Honda Civic Hybrid CVT, I knew that's what I wanted. Sure, it doesn't have the sexiness of the RX-8, or the hauling power of a Tundra, but it has many things that surpass that to me....cutting edge technology, efficiency, "geek" factor (hey, I'm in Silicon Valley!), and the smooooothest ride I've ever felt.
Sure, I could have spent less on a normal Civic, but if I did that, why not get something a bit sexier? Either way, they pollute more, run louder, and need to be filled up more often.
The HCH hit the sweet spot for me for many reasons.
Last edited by ecaggiani; 06-20-2005 at 11:44 PM. Reason: typo
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