Fuel savings vs total cost calculator
#2
01-11-2008, 06:10 AM
Pretty Darn Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Raleigh,NC
Posts: 255
Re: Fuel savings vs total cost calculator
Thanks for the calculator, it's nice to see it in print. I'm sure over the long run my hybrid will save me money and also be polluting much less than my old car!! 
#5
01-13-2008, 08:35 AM
Engineering first
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 5,613
Re: Fuel savings vs total cost calculator
You are claiming more than is there with:
Sorry but this tool is way too simplistic to the point of being misleading. The Prius community has had years of dealing with skeptics who have tried to use the same, simplistic and incomplete analysis. I'd recommend you read some of the vehicle fleet reports to see a minimum of what needs to covered. For example, search for "fact_sheet1883.pdf" which lists:
From the very beginning, certainly documented in 2002:
http://john1701a.com/prius/logs/prius-log41.htm
It turns out that every time someone trots out a "fuel only" study, we know they will omit the feature-to-feature comparison of the vehicle. It is such a reliable failing, so dependably expected, that mostly, our responses are all but automatic. We have seen such nonsense, limited analysis since hybrids first came to our shores.
If you truly want to make a useful calculator, include a list of standard features found in hybrids so the non-hybrid can be properly compared:
Bob Wilson
ps. If you are truly interested in a usable calculator, start with the links at this web site:
http://john1701a.com/
"Auto Fuel Savings vs. Total Cost Comparison"
It looks like your business model is based upon making web tools but you've left out so much that this tool remains crippled and misleading:. . .
I wrote a calculator to compare cost of ownership between two cars with different initial costs & fuel efficiency, if you're interested:
http://sporkforge.com/finance/gas_cost.php
It also does time discounting of future costs. Purely a financial calculator, . . .
I wrote a calculator to compare cost of ownership between two cars with different initial costs & fuel efficiency, if you're interested:
http://sporkforge.com/finance/gas_cost.php
It also does time discounting of future costs. Purely a financial calculator, . . .
Purchase Cost - you've covered
Kelly Used Vehicle Price - missing
Sale Price - missing
Maintenance Cost - missing
Operating Cost - includes fuel, insurance and licensing
For example, you do not include other valuation of hybrids such as vehicle passes that let hybrids get access to commuting lanes nor parking advantages. As for maintenance ratings, Consumer Reports would be an excellent place to research the costs and rating of the different vehicles but your calculator is silent on this real cost. But the real problem is there is no "features" valuation check-list.Kelly Used Vehicle Price - missing
Sale Price - missing
Maintenance Cost - missing
Operating Cost - includes fuel, insurance and licensing
From the very beginning, certainly documented in 2002:
10-26-2002 At the Dealer, part 1.
CNN had a great segment on Prius the other day. But there was one misleading quote. It really bothered me. Today I stopped at my dealer to verify the facts. It was said that Prius was $21,000 and that a Corolla was only $14,000. It turns out, they were comparing a well-loaded Prius to a stripped-down Corolla without any options at all. I find that very, very misleading. The prices I saw on the lot were $20,500 for a well-loaded Prius and $17,500 for a well-loaded Corolla. Only a $3,000 difference makes a lot more sense. When will they learn?
CNN had a great segment on Prius the other day. But there was one misleading quote. It really bothered me. Today I stopped at my dealer to verify the facts. It was said that Prius was $21,000 and that a Corolla was only $14,000. It turns out, they were comparing a well-loaded Prius to a stripped-down Corolla without any options at all. I find that very, very misleading. The prices I saw on the lot were $20,500 for a well-loaded Prius and $17,500 for a well-loaded Corolla. Only a $3,000 difference makes a lot more sense. When will they learn?
It turns out that every time someone trots out a "fuel only" study, we know they will omit the feature-to-feature comparison of the vehicle. It is such a reliable failing, so dependably expected, that mostly, our responses are all but automatic. We have seen such nonsense, limited analysis since hybrids first came to our shores.
If you truly want to make a useful calculator, include a list of standard features found in hybrids so the non-hybrid can be properly compared:
- alloy wheels
- functional spoiler
- automatic transmission
- multi-disk audio system
- electric windows and locks
- ABS brakes and traction control
Bob Wilson
ps. If you are truly interested in a usable calculator, start with the links at this web site:
http://john1701a.com/
Last edited by bwilson4web; 01-14-2008 at 08:19 AM.
#8
01-13-2008, 02:24 PM
Active Enthusiast
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Chesterfield, VA
Posts: 164
Re: Fuel savings vs total cost calculator
And among your disclaimers is that it is unrealistic. Why bother then? What is your goal in promoting it here?
I tried to make it clear that this is an overly simplistic scenario (though I still need to add resale value to the disclaimer).
#10
01-14-2008, 03:35 PM
Engineering first
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 5,613
Re: Fuel savings vs total cost calculator
Perhaps I was a little severe with him but we do need a real 'mileage calculator' that includes all of the features I mentioned. I'm afraid one or more of us will have to do it if it is ever going to be done. But I hate to put up another web site when I'd rather provide it as another feature to GreenHybrid.
Bob Wilson
Bob Wilson
Thread
Topic Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
