I posted a comment on the page too.

 

This is why I can't usually stand to read a review unless it's written by people that understand cars (Car & Driver, Consumer Reports, Road & Track, etc). These companies give opinions and observations based on multiple user's test drives, car knowledge, understanding of mechanics (most are engineers of some type), and many other criteria. They still aren't perfect, but they do a good job.

People who write articles like this one show they can't get passed an initial opinion (The writer brought up 3 references to ridiculous concepts like getting to Jupiter on a drop of gas) there's not that much energy in gas in the first place! This goes to show they were more concerned about discrediting than writing an impartial article.



They have to get paid, and the lazy person spews a bunch of BS to make their article sound good. Kind of reminds me of writing essays and book reports back in elementary school, (any similarities?).



The person didn't even mention the tax credit till the end, and didn't say how much ("You also might qualify for a tax rebate after you buy it."). The 2600 (which most people will qualify for if bought before 9/30) would still save you $600 compared to the writer's idea of buying 2k in gas.



Oh and where is everyone supposed to store their 800 gallons of gas at $2.50 per gal, because it's not going to remain at the same price for a whole year.



I don't think people would have such a problem with rubbish like this, if there weren't such a potential of others believing it at first glance.

 

So, you all get sooo upset by a "review" for WomanMotorist created by some...GUY?? It's like you expect to learn anything reading "100 Ways To Please Your Boyfriend" written by a lady... wrong people writting for wrong venues...

going over this completely non-informative piece i got two things: 1) actually, the guy liked the car; and 2) the guy hates ALL hybrids, not only the TCH, his mind set a log time ago, and, consequently, approached the TCH full of prejudice.

(disclaimer: this is not a sexist message by any means!)

 

I agree, the article was written in an immature fashion:

 

Thanks. I think more people should think that way, we can do better and we should expect better. I am a bit put off by some hybrid owners and their smugness that goes with being a hybrid owner. "I drive a hybrid"... whooptee freaking doo.

Let's compare apple to apple, you went from a gas-guzzler (perhaps and SUV?) to a camry hybrid. My point is that had you gone with a regular camry, you still would notice an improvement over your gas-guzzler.

My disappoint in hybrids is that compared to THEIR non-hybrid counterparts, they are not that impressive. In that regard, it's a bit of a gimmic.


Like I've said, the non-hybird counterparts will meet your needs too. Probably cost less and get semi-"good" FE.

As for you doing better, you can't but you bought into the hype of a hybrid... is all I'm pointing out.

 

In the Camry line, isn't the hybrid about 15% more efficent than the non-hybrd (using the EPA highway estimate of 33mpg and 38mpg respectively)? While not an astounding difference, that still seems significant to me. I wonder what the impact would be if you could instantly increase the efficiency of every car now on the road by 15%?

 

If Toyota (or other manufacturers) just included the gph/mpg meter in their automobiles as they do in the Hybrids the difference would narrow even more.
I think people (subconsciously) change their driving habits when they get/drive a hybrid because of the addtional feedback provided and would do the same thing in a conventional vehicle if given the (bio-feedback) tools to improve their driving effeciency.
J

 

I can see your point on this. Internet communities that focus on one topic or product, like this one, will attract people with a variety of enthusiasm for the subject, some of whom can seem a little over the top in their commitment to, or fascination with, it. I consider myself kind of middle-road on enthusiasm. But I must confess, when I'm driving, I sometimes wonder whether people notice that I am driving a hybrid. So I guess I am guilty of wanting to feel special, if not smug.

Also true. My old X-5 had a 4.4 litre V-8 and 16-18 MPG. So I certainly could have purchased many nice gas-engine cars that would have met my requirements for personal transportation and got better gas mileage. In fact, I looked at the Acura TL, the Audi A-4, the Hyundai Azera and the Camry SE, as well as the Camry Hybrid.

I think we may just have to agree to disagree on this point. It seems you feel that hybrid technology is not a real step forward, but rather a sales ploy to get people to buy more cars at perhaps higher prices. I and everyone else (including you apparently) got taken in when we chose a hybrid.

I just don't agree. As I said earlier, IMHO hybrid technology is a good and serious evolution beyond the ICE technology that has sustained the auto industry for over 100 years. And I feel good about being a relatively early adopter of that technology. Should I be smug about it? Of course not. Should I feel duped? No, I can't see it.

I hope and expect that the auto industry will continue to develop and incorporate new propulsion technologies in my lifetime that will make my current FE look incredibly feeble. If I can, I will drive vehicles that include those technologies as well. Call me gullible or smug if you want. But that's what I'm gonna do...

 

WELL SAID!! I couldn't agree more, just look where technology has gotten us in the last 100 years in the field of communications.... can you say MARCONI??

 

Other non-hybrid cars have seen jumps of 15% from prior model years in fuel effeciency. So again, it's not that much... should be higher.