thats kinda where i am with the toyotas. i would really like a sequoia, but for the lower gas mileage and the higher price, i cant justify the expense. yes, it is roomier, but for just two of us and one or two large dogs, it isnt necessary. i really think my next vehicle will be a highlander hybrid. most of my driving is local and that is where it will save on gas. plus, i plan on driving it a long time so the added expense of a hybrid will be worth it to me. (my accord wagon i am driving now is 15 years old and i expect to drive it a couple of more years.) ive been thinking i want a hybrid for a few years now. the way gas prices are going just reinforces that thought.
It still takes too long to breakeven, even when the tax credits are considered. It takes over 10 years of driving a Prius 15,000 miles annually to make up the price difference of the closest non-hybird vehicle, the Corrola. When you add to the fact that the batteries on hybird are very expensive to replace, up to $3000, and the fact that new cars depreciate rapidly you can not get ahead by driving a hybird.
Hybrid prices will come down as numbers produced increase. Batteries are improving, too. Moreover, gas prices will continue to increase rapidly and shortages will happen more frequently. I think that breakeven point is shifting rapidly.
Yes, but the other side is that the tax credits are going to sunset soon and shift the breakeven the opposite way. I agree that at some point in the future a hybird will make economic sense, but we aint there yet. Buying a hybird today is spending thousands to save hundreds.
i am a couple of years away from a new vehicle so i am hoping that by the time i am ready to buy, it is more economical to buy a hybrid. and even if it is an "inbetween" savings from what it is now and a more reasonable breakeven point, i think that since it is a vehicle i will be driving for several years, the shift will happen early in its life and make it a worthwhile purchase. kinda betting on the future. i am interested to see what happens with hybrid production over the next couple of years.
Well what do you know, Red and the liberal wagon loves the fords and I'm a Chevy man. Who could have ever guessed. Come on, let me hear all about how the F-150 is blah blah blah. I've got 200k on an 8 year old Z-71 I get about 19 on the highway and so far only had to change a water pump and a radiator. Those commercials will all tell you their product is the best selling. Its what they do.
I am a Chevy man myself, i had a Z-blazer that had over 280k miles on it, not one engine problem, just had to change the starter. It was in a car accident, thats the only reason why I gave it up.
My old 1996 Explorer had 200K on it and I only replaced an A/C compressor and the tie-rod ends. Not even a muffler in 12 years! I've still got my Dad's old '85 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup and I'll out-pull you with it. My 2008 V-8 Explorer 4x4 will out-run you and out-climb you, too! I get 23 on the highway without the A/C, 21 with it, but only 14 in town, which sucks.
I was only trying to ruffle my old amigos feathers, which apparently worked. :grin: Otherwise I would have gotten the My blah blah can out pull your blah blah and I've got this that and the other. :lol: The old trucks will always be the best. I had a 69 F-150 when I was in high school, 3 on the tree. One of the best trucks I've ever had.
Ford and Chevy trucks are equally powerful, dependable, and rugged, I agree. It's a matter of style . . . :grin:
