Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Any downside to buying a hybrid?
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
"some get 45 mpg and some can even get 50 mpg with the right driver and with the right driving circumstances"
Sorry, you're providing more bad hybrid information.
Most people report mid to upper 40's in their hybrid cars while some drivers get mid-upper 50's to upper 60's MPG.
http://home.alltel.net/stevedez_00/gas.jpg
66.6MPG displayed, 68MPG by calculated miles/gallons used and 932 miles to a single tank. All summer did mid-high 60's calculated.
That was in mid 90's temperatures and around 95-100% humidity.
That was with an HCH CVT. MT can do better.
Prius can do a little better than that, and Insight is good well past 100MPG tanks, with the right driver under normal conditions.
Auto, though I think the MT is a 4 speed; the 2005 and later CR-V is a 5 speed auto.
My wife doesn't drive a stick, and anyway there are two reasons I wouldn't have bought one.
1. MT is rare - hard to find.
2. MT gets worse MPG than auto.
Here in SOCAL we get a "winter blend" gas, and the MPG goes down, but not by much for me - about .5 MPG.
Of course, I'm only getting 22 MPG (city) to begin with...
There are many reasons for cars not achieving max MPG in the colder months...
Car engines must warm up to a certain internal operating temperature before they most efficiently use the fuel. Winter months and colder temps make that transition from cold start to most efficient take a little longer.
Also: new cars go through what is called a "break-in period" where the metal engine parts are still grinding against each other more rigidly, creating more friction, which also reduces efficiency. Over time, the "extra metal" shaves off and gets lubricated better (expecially if you use Synthetic Oil) and the friction is reduced, which affect MPG numbers.
Winter formula fuels used in most states hold less energy and this also hurts MPG.
Generally speaking, colder weather in many areas means "rain, snow, or slush or ice" on the roads - these things add additional resistance which the tires must push out of the way to contact the road, so they hurt MPG in that way. As someone pointed out to me, "Actually driving in snow kills your mpg. You're crawling and losing traction because the wheels have to spin more."
Tire pressures also are lowered by the cold weather too. Most people fail to properly inflate their tires all year, but ESPECIALLY in the winter when it is cold and you might have dirty tires and you just dont want to deal with spending time in the cold airing up a dirty tire. Low tire inflation can cause blowouts and adds quite a bit of rolling resistance, which forces the engine to work harder to "push" the car forward, thus using more fuel.
Additional idling uses more fuel and hurts overall MPG, and many people in cold climes by habit or necessity are warming their cars up in the morning. That is good practice to stay warm, but BAD for MPG numbers. While idling in your garage or driveway or carport, it is getting 0 miles to the gallon !!
People who use the defroster in a Hybrid are many times using the A/C compressor to help reduce the humidity in the car and clear the fog. That is a MPG killer too. The compressor can be turned off, but usually by default it comes on.
See this science page for more explanation:
http://tinyurl.com/3s7lo
Actually driving in snow kills your mpg. You're crawling and loosing traction(wheels have to spin more)
The CR-V is 5-speed Manual http://www.edmunds.com/new/2006/honda/crv/100650235/researchlanding.html
This is precisely the position of most sales people since they have to pay bills next month so they are looking for an immediate sale this month..not in 3-4 months. In addition sales people are not different than many here as well. The technology is threatening to some and its more complicated to explain than a normal ICE vehicle. It's one reason why I emphasize Prius sales to the point where others even give me their prospects.. I'm not as concerned with immediate compensation as I am the long term results. In addition the hybrids appeal to me for the technology and the benefits to the environment.
That wasnt my info... that was a quote from 'rroyce' that's why I highlighted it.
Previously I had taken exception to several off handed comments he shot out.
My statement to him was that hybrid drivers are the most authoritative source on real world mileage numbers. Most of my customers report consistently in the 48-51 mpg range combined. Yours are very good to be sure.
You have never test driven a car just for the fun of it? In Hawaii I was checking to see if they would rent one while I was there. I wanted to see for myself if they are a nice car. I would never buy a vehicle I had not test driven.
As a matter of fact I test drove both a 911S and a Carrera several years ago. At the time I could not afford either one. Just wanted one. Now when it would be nothing to buy one I am not interested. So what is your point? If I test drive a car and someone asks my opinion, I have a basis for that opinion. If you remember earlier posts I test drove the Prius Classic twice and would have bought it for my now ex-wife if she had liked it. She liked her 10 year old Camry better. You should go test drive a few more cars, maybe the HAH or HCH. You may like them better than the Prius. There is no obligation to take a test drive. Both GM & Mercedes have meets for people to test drive all their vehicles. I have gone to a couple. Lines were long on the high powered stuff.
Now, I wonder why? Could this Prius have stalled and the driver was unable to keep going fast enuf to get out of the way? Or perhaps has the bad brakelight switch?
I know, I'm a troll here, but these are serious questions. I can tell you, if your engine dies on this road, you could be in deep doodoo.
First you said SAW A PRIUS REAR ENDED....Then it was you saw the result...The car has plenty of pop so it wasn't that it couldn't go fast enough...
Perhaps a German car had another mechanical failure and it's breaks didn't work...Based on all the Reliability evidence that would be the MOST LIKELY way the accident happened.
SAD...and they cost so much money...
My current situation finds me with a new contract that requires me to average well over 100 miles per day (99% of which is with the Cruise Control set north of 75 mph). I recently turned in my beloved 530i at lease end, and I've since been driving our spare car (a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.8). That means that I'm faced with something of a dilemma, 1) do I buy a new car to replace the 530i and pile on an easy 100,000 miles in less than four years, or 2) do I just keep the GC and milk it for as long as it will run.
In favor of the new car, are several points:
1) I'd get one that gets significantly better fuel economy than the 3.8 liter GC, so there could be some significant fuel cost savings
2) Theoretical better reliability on a new car versus a car with 100K on the clock (I say theoretical because this thing has only cost me $83 in unscheduled maintenance since new)
3) I want one
4) There is nothing so decidedly uncool as commuting in a GC (maybe that's the same as #3)
In favor of just driving the GC into the dirt:
1) I can buy LOTS of gas for the price difference between selling the GC and any decent new car
2) Would a new car really be as reliable as my current ride? Statistically, probably yes. So far at least, not a chance.
So, with that said, assuming I ultimately decide to trade the old girl in on a newer model, what should I get? I know that posting that rhetorical question around here will yield one primary response: Prius.
That brings me to the point of this post. It is my understanding that the Prius is not what one would consider a sporting car (neither is a GC for that matter), and only offers mediocre acceleration, braking and handling capabilities at best. So, the next question that I must grapple with is, "Would I be willing to sacrifice performance to save $1,000 per year in fuel related expenses (over something like an Audi A3)?" To me at least, performance issue is enough of a "downside" to make me think long and hard before I opt for a Prius.
Best Regards,
Shipo
A) Threat of $3/gal X 45000 m/yr ( even with my Camry at 31 mpg every day )
The Prius' ARE cool and you will be noticed.
C) There is no cleaner vehicle for the environment on the road at the moment
D) Prius toys
E) It has better accleration than my 2000 Camry
F) I choose to use as little fuel as possible and send as little money to the MidEast as I possibly can.
G) Tax credit
H) VSC/TRAC, ABS w/BA, S+C A/B
To answer your concerns: It's quick but no rocket by any means; it's a midsized family sedan meant for a normal amount of comfort ( like your GC ) not especially for high performance handling; I've never noticed the braking to be questionable it's just different ( existing owners can reply better on this over a longer time frame ).
My wife had our first child and I get to commute in the minivan 70-85miles a day depending on school. I've had sporty cars in the past (SVT Contour, IS300), but love the smooth ride on Detroit's crappy roads of the minivan, and the seats rock! My wife said "never' to a minivan before this kid, but now she realizes its conveniences and purpose. My goal is to have a minivan for family/3rd vehicle an fun car for daily nice weather driving.
While some may be threaten by the technology I think that the technology has its downsides that turn many people off of hybrids. First off the technology is relatively new and is very much unproven in long term real world experience (how many hybrids are out there with 100k+ miles?). Secondly the technology makes things more complicated and as you do that it makes things more susceptible to breakdowns and higher repair bills. Those are real world concerns that many have.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
9 weeks to go!!!
Good point. The brakes in the Prius are way better than the other cars I've driven. I have to be careful driving different cars because the brakes don't seem to grab near as well as they do in my Prius. Side note though...it accordianed up pretty good, according to our navigator pilot...that's pretty much what it was designed to to. Also..passenger compartment wasn't compromised....again, just as it was supposed to do. Shoot....those sound like selling points.
Considering the batteries are under the rear seat in the passenger compartment, I would imagine that there was no leakage. Had it done that, given the propensity in most anti-hybrid articles these days, I am sure it would have been a front page story.
This could be exactly what happened to the Prius. I dunno. I just immediately thought of the stalling issue cause I've been reading so much about it lately. I read this entire board plus most of the software problems board in the last few days. Anyone considering a Prius should do the same.
What I have seen probably a dozen, no exaggeration, are Toyota Previas, the model before the Sienna, either flipped or on their sides. Not making this up. YMMV.
kirstie_h
Roving Host
Host, Future Vehicles & Smart Shopper discussions
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Need help navigating? kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
Share your vehicle reviews
We all commend Toyota for producing a clean vehicle. However, as I said I've read 2 of these toyota boards this week and found 2 instances of folks with Priuses who needed catalytic converters replaced. The average cost of the 2 was roughly $2500 - just for the cat. At that price, both owners said they would probably NOT replace their converters.
My point obviously is to keep the clean exhaust, you need a cat. Toyota is ripping the customer off charging $2500 for a new cat converter. I doubt anyone can argue with this...
Hmmm...I read this too (concerning the 75,000 US Prius' that are included in the recall)
"The problem came to light in May when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it had begun investigating 33 complaints of engine stalling in the Prius"
I wonder how many defects in a Navigator they would have to have before they would initiate a recall...and if you think their aren't any computers running your lincoln....think again.
GO HYBRID!!
9 weeks for my baby!
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
" The brakes in the Prius are way better than the other cars I've driven."
Go try any car with 4-wheel disc brakes.You do realize that the Prius has drums in the rear and also uses regerenative braking. While the Prius brakes are good there are many.many cars that brake better.
Go to any BMW dealer and try any BMW and see what you think about handling and braking.
The downside of most hybrids is that their stopping distance is more, for several reasons: (1) increased weight of batteries, (2) most have rear drums to accomodate Regenrative braking (3) handling and braking on low on the hybrid priority list.
Cheers,
MidCow
That implies the Prius is not normally aspirated also. But wait the Prius is not turbo charged or supercharged so it is also normally aspirated. That then means that the stalled car you are talking about could be another Prius. H'mm I wonder if one Prius running into another stalled Prius would bump start it ?
As far as I know, there are no hybrids that take advantage of turbo/super charging
Normally aspirated breathing,
MidCow
1) The Technology has been tested and used in Japan for 9 years.
2) Toyota does not rush to the market with new technology that is not fully proven
3) Toyota would not do anything to tarnish it's reputation for reliability.
4) This technology is not expecially complicated...I heard a local repair shop that specilizes in Japanese say they would have no problems working on Hybrid Cars but they doubt they will see any for years to come...