Hybrids

[TangoJuliet]

So I have been looking into getting a hybrid to replace my mustang that was totaled last week. I have been looking at used ones so I can save a little money. I drive 120 miles to/from work each day so the hybrid would help me save on fuel as well as giving me the option of driving in the HOV lane as a single occupant.

My mustang had leather seats, satellite radio and was a convertible. I would like to at least keep those options while "downgrading" to a hybrid. I was looking at a Prius with leather, navigation and a sunroof but wanted to know how the Civic, Accord, Altima, etc stack up.

Also, is there any certain year/model that I should avoid? Are there certain ones that are better then others?

My budget is under $24,000 - if I cannot find something in that range then I'll probably end up buying a new Jetta TDI for $26,000 plus I get the $1300 tax credit with it.

Right now I have found the following

2004 Prius - 59,000 miles; Blue with Tan leather, Navigation $14,850 (SOLD)

2006 Prius - 54,000 miles; Black with Grey leather, Navigation $17,900

2007 Prius Touring - 19,000 miles; Classic Silver with Grey leather, Navigation $19,900

2008 Prius - 5,936 miles; Black with Bisque leather, Navigation $23,500

 

[zoiks]

The new upcoming Prius is slated to do 50mpg. I wouldn't get one however since I don't have to drive long distances.

Note that you save more gas in a Prius in city driving. If you drive on the highway, the fuel economy is almost close to a Honda civic.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Originally posted by: zoiks
The new upcoming Prius is slated to do 50mpg. I wouldn't get one however since I don't have to drive long distances.

Note that you save more gas in a Prius in city driving. If you drive on the highway, the fuel economy is almost close to a Honda civic.

Yes, I understand that but I cannot drive in the HOV lane with a Civic. A brand new Prius configured with the same options is $29,000. I'd like to hold out and get a new Insight but I need to make a purchase by Friday.

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: TangoJuliet

Originally posted by: zoiks
The new upcoming Prius is slated to do 50mpg. I wouldn't get one however since I don't have to drive long distances.

Note that you save more gas in a Prius in city driving. If you drive on the highway, the fuel economy is almost close to a Honda civic.

Yes, I understand that but I cannot drive in the HOV lane with a Civic. A brand new Prius configured with the same options is $29,000. I'd like to hold out and get a new Insight but I need to make a purchase by Friday.

Interesting. California stopped issuing HOV passes to hybrids and the current ones will expire in a year or 2.
You shouldn't buy a car in a hurry. I suggest renting a car for a few weeks which would cost almost the same as leasing one and search for a suitable vehicle in the meantime.
That's what I'd do anyway.

 

[chucky2]

Not sure when the '10 Ford Fusion Hyrbid is coming out, but that should be on your short list. With the tax credit, it's probably within your price range.

Chuck

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: chucky2
Not sure when the '10 Ford Fusion Hyrbid is coming out, but that should be on your short list. With the tax credit, it's probably within your price range.

Chuck

Personally, I wouldn't touch a newly introduced vehicle. I thought you could get a new Prius for around $23k?

 

[exdeath]

One that burns gas and rubber.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Those prices seem kind of high...

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
Those prices seem kind of high...

Not really. The Toyota Prius has extreme demand in the US right now.

 

[FeuerFrei]

Originally posted by: angry hampster

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
Those prices seem kind of high...

Not really. The Toyota Prius has extreme demand in the US right now.

Or at least it did. Prius now averages 21 days on 'the lot.' And 50 days worth of inventory which is a bit more than Toyota would like ... but not bad.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: angry hampster

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
Those prices seem kind of high...

Not really. The Toyota Prius has extreme demand in the US right now.

Um, not really, Toyota recently announced rebates because the sales were so soft, first time they've ever discounted the Prius.

Text

I was on the list to get one of the first Prius sold in the US, I took a pass and bought a VW TDI instead.

I'm going to be looking seriously at the new Honda Insight when it ships...

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose


Um, not really, Toyota recently announced rebates because the sales were so soft, first time they've ever discounted the Prius.

Text

I was on the list to get one of the first Prius sold in the US, I took a pass and bought a VW TDI instead.

I'm going to be looking seriously at the new Honda Insight when it ships...

Oh nevermind then. I knew they were really hot sellers when they were first released, and I figured that with the gas price spike of last year that they'd still be hard to keep on the lot.



Nice choice on the TDI. I'm hoping to sell my Jeep and pick up an '04 Jetta TDI after graduation (and hopefully the job the follows it).

 

[theblackbox]

the civic hybrid is a better car. i put 120k miles on one in two years, and it is by far the smoothest hybrid. when i am in california, i use my friends prius, and the prius just seems to be rough around the edges, the hybrid system just isn't as smooth, it has an unerving clunk when going from electric to gas. the prius gets horrible mileage unless you drive it like an electric.
The ima system of the honda is more intuitive, by replacing the flywheel with an electric motor, the system is much smoother. plus, the honda cvt is much better then the prius, which runs through planetary gears to resolve the fact it's two systems are seperate.
While the prius may be the "cool hollywood" car, i feel for the people that overpaid for a prius, when they really aren't getting anything special, besides the cool factor.

I hate to say this, but the prius is the apple of the highway. trendy. trendy. trendy.
plus, if you are tall, the prius sucks for leg room, it has a poorly designed interior.

 

[EvilHorace]

Be sure not to own any hybrid once its warranty expires. The battery replacement cost is basically unaffordable.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: EvilHorace
Be sure not to own any hybrid once its warranty expires. The battery replacement cost is basically unaffordable.

Hi, I am EvilHorace and I read things on the Internet. They are fact. The Internet does not lie.

Originally posted by: theblackbox
the civic hybrid is a better car. i put 120k miles on one in two years, and it is by far the smoothest hybrid. when i am in california, i use my friends prius, and the prius just seems to be rough around the edges, the hybrid system just isn't as smooth, it has an unerving clunk when going from electric to gas. the prius gets horrible mileage unless you drive it like an electric.
The ima system of the honda is more intuitive, by replacing the flywheel with an electric motor, the system is much smoother. plus, the honda cvt is much better then the prius, which runs through planetary gears to resolve the fact it's two systems are seperate.
While the prius may be the "cool hollywood" car, i feel for the people that overpaid for a prius, when they really aren't getting anything special, besides the cool factor.

I hate to say this, but the prius is the apple of the highway. trendy. trendy. trendy.
plus, if you are tall, the prius sucks for leg room, it has a poorly designed interior.

Hello fanboy. The Prius should not clunk, but seeing as how you were in one that experienced this issue that you would extrapolate that all of them have that problem. Also, check the price of a Prius versus Civic Hybrid and tell me which is more expensive. I know, the extra .3" of legroom in the Civic (up front only, the Prius has 4" more in back) really is a deal breaker, though.

 

[EvilHorace]

"Hi, I am EvilHorace and I read things on the Internet. They are fact. The Internet does not lie."

No, how about being a Lexus dealer tech. Try $5-$10K for those batteries in a Toyota product. Check your dealers parts people if you doubt that.
So far, they're still under warranty. The ONLY hope for anyone owning one once the warranty expires is IF an aftermarket company begins making those replacement batteries, otherwise most of those vehicles will probably be in salvage yards. Most people won't put that much money in a 10+ yr old car.

 

[DivideBYZero]

"Hybrids: Which one?"

/0 looks at list of one model and backs out of thread...

 

[Uhtrinity]

I definitely like the Toyota's system better than Honda's. Toyota uses a transmission that is also a splitter / combiner for a separate gas engine and electric motor. The Electric motor is rated at something like 50hp. Honda uses a 15 hp electric motor that is permanently inline with the gas engine, though newer models have valve deactivation for short distant EV. This will also apply to the Insight II. I own an original Insight which is very close to the Civic design and have driven my parents Prius many times. Both are smooth and seamless, so the EV / gas power mixture (smoothness) is not an issue. Neither is battery life under warranty, nor is doing any work yourself out of warranty if you are a do it your selfer as there is more and more information being posted on the net everyday. Batteries can now be replaced (by yourself) for under $300 - $400 for recent used.

On mileage, the Prius beats out the Civic Hybrid by about 5 mpg. It has also been reported the Insight II will do about 45 mpg vs 50 mpg for the upcoming Prius. Of course those numbers will vary depending on your driving style and mods. Availability and pricing for any hybrid should be better now than a few months ago due to the recent drop in gas prices and the credit crunch. Last summer Prius waiting lists were running 90 - 120 days, now you should be able to drive one off the lot the same day.

 

[Squisher]

Those prices seem a little high, but I'm basing it on my experience of buying a '08 Prius in October of '07. I got a Prius with the option 4 package for $24.7K.

Check out new car dealer prices on ebay, those seem to be the lowest, and ask your local dealer to match the price. In fact, ask more than one dealer, if at all possible. Toyota dealers vary quite a bit in their willingness to come down in price.

btw-they also vary wildly in the maintenance costs. I drive 40 miles to get an oil change+inspection for $40 when the dealer 4 miles from my house wants $95

 

[LS8]

I'd go with the TDI Jetta or wait for the 2010 Fusion Hybrid as it will trump everything.

 

[theblackbox]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: EvilHorace
Be sure not to own any hybrid once its warranty expires. The battery replacement cost is basically unaffordable.

Hi, I am EvilHorace and I read things on the Internet. They are fact. The Internet does not lie.

Originally posted by: theblackbox
the civic hybrid is a better car. i put 120k miles on one in two years, and it is by far the smoothest hybrid. when i am in california, i use my friends prius, and the prius just seems to be rough around the edges, the hybrid system just isn't as smooth, it has an unerving clunk when going from electric to gas. the prius gets horrible mileage unless you drive it like an electric.
The ima system of the honda is more intuitive, by replacing the flywheel with an electric motor, the system is much smoother. plus, the honda cvt is much better then the prius, which runs through planetary gears to resolve the fact it's two systems are seperate.
While the prius may be the "cool hollywood" car, i feel for the people that overpaid for a prius, when they really aren't getting anything special, besides the cool factor.

I hate to say this, but the prius is the apple of the highway. trendy. trendy. trendy.
plus, if you are tall, the prius sucks for leg room, it has a poorly designed interior.

Hello fanboy. The Prius should not clunk, but seeing as how you were in one that experienced this issue that you would extrapolate that all of them have that problem. Also, check the price of a Prius versus Civic Hybrid and tell me which is more expensive. I know, the extra .3" of legroom in the Civic (up front only, the Prius has 4" more in back) really is a deal breaker, though.

well, i bought mine for 18,5 new in 2004. at the time, the prius was all but unattainable and had a premium.
i've driven both pretty extensively. i don't know about the 2009.
fanboy because i have an opinion. ok. i'm just basing it off experience.

 

[theblackbox]

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity
I definitely like the Toyota's system better than Honda's. Toyota uses a transmission that is also a splitter / combiner for a separate gas engine and electric motor. The Electric motor is rated at something like 50hp. Honda uses a 15 hp electric motor that is permanently inline with the gas engine, though newer models have valve deactivation for short distant EV. This will also apply to the Insight II. I own an original Insight which is very close to the Civic design and have driven my parents Prius many times. Both are smooth and seamless, so the EV / gas power mixture (smoothness) is not an issue. Neither is battery life under warranty, nor is doing any work yourself out of warranty if you are a do it your selfer as there is more and more information being posted on the net everyday. Batteries can now be replaced (by yourself) for under $300 - $400 for recent used.

On mileage, the Prius beats out the Civic Hybrid by about 5 mpg. It has also been reported the Insight II will do about 45 mpg vs 50 mpg for the upcoming Prius. Of course those numbers will vary depending on your driving style and mods. Availability and pricing for any hybrid should be better now than a few months ago due to the recent drop in gas prices and the credit crunch. Last summer Prius waiting lists were running 90 - 120 days, now you should be able to drive one off the lot the same day.

it's all how you drive it. i made pepsicola beach to atlanta averaging 63mpg using good hybrid driving techniques.
what they report is nowhere near the truth. if you drive it like a regular car, you'll se 30mpg or less depending on conditions. if you drive smart, you'll see 40+. if you learn how to drive a hybrid and use it right, you can easily break 50-65 mpg. it's all in how you drive.

 

[JeepinEd]

Tango:
I'm not sure what part of town you live in (Assuming you are in CA), but I commute from the Antelope Valley to Culver City, CA. It's about 70 miles each way from sea level to 3000'.
Currently, I'm driving an '08 Prius. I have found that my mileage is actually better on the freeway than on surface streets. My summer average is 50.1 MPG. Currently I'm at 48.2 MPG.

As far as battery life, my Gen 1 Prius had over 230K miles on it when I traded it in. It still ran great. I did all my own maintenance on it, which was easier than my Jeep.

Question: If this is going to be a commuter car, why do you need SATNAV, leather, etc?
Just get a package 2 for less money. It still has most of the things you would want in a car.

HOV stickers are no longer being distributed. If you want to jump on the HOV lane, you need to find a used hybrid with the sticker already on it. They are non transferable, so if someone offers to sell you their stickers, don't buy them. They come with a certificate that identifies your car/vin# If you get pulled over, the police officer will ask to see the certificate. (from experience)

Good luck.

 

[Uhtrinity]

Originally posted by: theblackbox

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity
I definitely like the Toyota's system better than Honda's. Toyota uses a transmission that is also a splitter / combiner for a separate gas engine and electric motor. The Electric motor is rated at something like 50hp. Honda uses a 15 hp electric motor that is permanently inline with the gas engine, though newer models have valve deactivation for short distant EV. This will also apply to the Insight II. I own an original Insight which is very close to the Civic design and have driven my parents Prius many times. Both are smooth and seamless, so the EV / gas power mixture (smoothness) is not an issue. Neither is battery life under warranty, nor is doing any work yourself out of warranty if you are a do it your selfer as there is more and more information being posted on the net everyday. Batteries can now be replaced (by yourself) for under $300 - $400 for recent used.

On mileage, the Prius beats out the Civic Hybrid by about 5 mpg. It has also been reported the Insight II will do about 45 mpg vs 50 mpg for the upcoming Prius. Of course those numbers will vary depending on your driving style and mods. Availability and pricing for any hybrid should be better now than a few months ago due to the recent drop in gas prices and the credit crunch. Last summer Prius waiting lists were running 90 - 120 days, now you should be able to drive one off the lot the same day.

it's all how you drive it. i made pepsicola beach to atlanta averaging 63mpg using good hybrid driving techniques.
what they report is nowhere near the truth. if you drive it like a regular car, you'll se 30mpg or less depending on conditions. if you drive smart, you'll see 40+. if you learn how to drive a hybrid and use it right, you can easily break 50-65 mpg. it's all in how you drive.

I totally agree as I use use hybrid driving techniques all the time and have for 2 years. I can regularly get 70 - 100 mpg in my Insight without extra electric and have gotten 65 mpg in my parents prius under the same conditions. But the epa numbers should give an apple to apple comparison and the numbers will more closely match average drivers.