Why Hybrids and Diesels Don't Always Save You Money

Edmunds.comEdmunds.com Member, Administrator, Moderator Posts: 10,316
edited September 2014 in General

imageWhy Hybrids and Diesels Don't Always Save You Money

Hybrids and diesels offer impressive fuel savings over their gasoline counterparts. But do these technologies actually save you any money?

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Comments

  • lilgreenchiklilgreenchik Member Posts: 2
    I love my diesel! And i especially love that i only have to fill up my tank once a month!!!!
  • rnaeyernaeye Member Posts: 1
    Great article, thank you. I was looking for an article like this. I no longer need to calculate the numbers myself. I suggest that this article is updated regularly as new models arrive and price of cars change.
  • unlicensdremelunlicensdremel Member Posts: 3
    Well, I have some news for the authors/mathematicians here: If Diesel is MORE than gasoline ($3.42 vs. $3.11 is the assumption here), then there ain't no such thing as a break-even point for the diesels. You start losing money the first time you fill it up and will never get it back - and the longer you have it, the more you lose. Now if diesel was less, as it once was then you could and would calculate a break-even point.
  • unlicensdremelunlicensdremel Member Posts: 3
    Wait, my bad, I guess there is they get much better mileage - do they?
  • tcdavetcdave Member Posts: 1
    The Prius and the Corolla are in a different class. The Corolla is classified as compact by the EPA. This is a mistake people keep making. The Prius has to be compared to mid-size cars. Now you'll break even in less time.
  • ed82ed82 Member Posts: 1
    15 years to break even with a TDI! That's just for the cost of fuel! What if diesel fuel goes even higher? What about maintenance and repairs? You really have to be an idiot to think diesel will save you money!
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 10,972
    Besides break-even time (I consider 5 years or less OK), here are some other reasons I like having a hybrid:
    - I get to maximize my cars' capability (high mpg) while driving every day. I couldn't do that with my GTI (speed and handling) or I'd have lost my license years ago.
    - I worry less about gas price spikes, knowing I won't be affected nearly as much as I used to be
    - I consider it a neat option, like a sound system. Folks spend equal or more money on options that do nothing 'important' (fancy sound system, big engine, big wheels, etc.). Here's an option that will end up making me money. I'm a 10 year or more per car person.
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