$61K for a Volt...

[kalrith]

A Prius doesn't make financial sense, a Ford Mustang doesn't make financial sense, a Camry doesn't make financial sense. I really hope you own something like a Kia Rio cus that's the only thing that seems like it'd make financial sense to you.

Actually, I disagree with those examples. If we look at a car making financial sense as the cheapest way to get you from point A to point B, then even a new Kia Rio wouldn't make financial sense. A used car would be the only way to go.

However, each of your examples make a good case for itself. The Prius after tax incentives and gas savings can provide an affordable "nice" car compared to econoboxes. The Prius is the one hybrid that might actually break even financially when compared to a comparable non-hybrid car.

The Mustang is a good economic buy for power and performance. The Camry is a good economic buy for how large and comfortable of a sedan it is.

I don't see the Volt as having any plus other than being a symbol. It doesn't have better mileage, more power, more comfort, more size, etc. than any other vehicle in its price range. All it really has is being a symbol of status, the future, being green, etc.

 

[mmntech]

New car does come with a full warranty though, and nobody's had a chance to mistreat it. Used can be hit and miss if you don't know what you're doing.

As for the Volt, I think hybrids for the get-go are a poor idea. They're more of a stop-gap between gas and electric but lack the advantages of either. Battery technology needs to catch up. I'm holding out for those batteries where you can exchange the electrolyte. Solves the two big issue with electric cars (range and refuelling time) if it can be done cheaply, simply, and safely enough.