Pros & Cons Of Owning A Hybrid
With the advent of the new Hyundai hybrid version of the popular 2011 Sonata arriving in the new-car marketplace, it bears repeating that choosing a hybrid motor vehicle over a conventional gasoline-powered motor vehicle is not a simple matter. Hybrids boast advantages over conventional vehicles in a number of respects, but there are also disadvantages to be considered when buying a hybrid. Compact hybrid vehicles have been on American roads since the introduction of the first-generation Honda Insight and Toyota Prius models in the early 2000s.
Over time, these automakers refined hybrid technology and introduced it into more compact and midsized models, such as the Honda Hybrid Civic and the Toyota Hybrid Camry, even as other automakers, such as Nissan, Ford, and General Motors, were introducing a number of hybrid vehicles of their own — in some cases, “greening” large sport-utility vehicles with enough power to haul a trailer or a hybrid camper.
Thus, today one can find hybrid models at almost anywhere on the price and size spectrum, from a compact 2010 Honda Insight at an average price of around $20,000, to a hybrid GM Cadillac Escalade SUV at an average price about $75,000, to a Lexus LS luxury sedan at a suggested retail price of $110,000. What is good about owning a hybrid?
First, depending on the make and model, one can potentially claim a federal income-tax credit after acquiring a hybrid vehicle, although this perk is limited to those who buy models offered by automakers who are relatively new to the American hybrid market, such as General Motors and Nissan; current Toyota and Honda models do not qualify for such tax incentives.
Second, hybrid vehicles are entitled to occupy high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes of major highways in some cities and states regardless of how many passengers are being carried, which can cut minutes off one’s commute. Also, hybrid vehicles, as a rule, produce less noise and emit fewer greenhouse gases and pollutants than similar conventional motor vehicles, and almost inevitably use less gasoline than comparable standard vehicle models. That difference can yield a sense of pride in hybrid owners, who may chuckle when they pass gas-guzzling vehicles parked at service-station pumps, in the throes of being refueled yet again.
Yet buying a hybrid, and owning one thereafter, is not always a bed of roses. There is not much of an external difference between a 2010 Honda Civic hybrid version and a 2010 Honda Civic conventional version apart from labeling, but at an average price of $27,750 for a trim including a navigation system and leather interior, the hybrid version represents at least a $3,000 cost increase before leaving the lot. And after leaving the lot, a hybrid vehicle may require expensive repairs over the course of its lifetime — repairs that conventional automobile mechanics often are reluctant to perform, necessitating often costly dealer service.
For example, a Nissan Altima hybrid owner who transports her vehicle from, say, California to a state with more relaxed emission standards than those in which such vehicles are typically sold (say, Tennessee) may have to travel hundreds of miles just to obtain service. What is more, hybrid automobiles typically require special parts when systems fail, which are often not made in sufficient bulk quantities by multiple suppliers to make their prices competitive, leading to potential sticker shock after one’s new hybrid’s vehicle warranties have expired.
Finally, the same quiet engines that hybrid-car manufacturers tout can be dangerous, even deadly, when children or blind persons who may be unaware of such a vehicle’s approach and who unwittingly cross its path. Hybrid vehicles, once absent from American highways and byways, are increasingly prevalent as more motorists succumb to the attraction of owning one. However, as in many things, the Latin maxim caveat emptor — “let the buyer beware” — certainly applies.
Deciding to buy any motor vehicle, including a hybrid, should never be undertaken lightly, and one would do well to consider the pluses and minuses of hybrid-automobile ownership before making a final decision to purchase one.
Tags: cadillac, cadillac escalade, Escalade, Ford, gasoline, gm, honda insight, honda models, Hybrid, Hybrid Camper, hybrid mode, hybrid model, hybrid models, hybrid motor, hybrid vehicle, hybrid vehicles, hybrid version, hybrids, Hyundai, Hyundai Hybrid, lexus, lexus ls, Prius, Sonata, SUV, Toyota, toyota hybrid camry, toyota prius, utility vehiclesRelated posts
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Buying A Hybrid 4×4
You’ve decided you want to get a new 4×4 – and you want to try a hybrid! This article will attempt to help you decide on a hybrid vehicle to buy, giving you the pros and cons of going hybrid, as well as some useful information to keep in mind when considering your new vehicle.
Get your new hybrid 4×4 search underway now! When considering your hybrid 4×4 options, list down what you expect from it, and what you want. Are you interested in aesthetics? Do you want a very powerful engine? It is best when searching for a new vehicle to start your search with a clear head – knowing exactly what you want, and what you need. Having said this – be prepared to make sacrifices externally, for a better internal quality.
Searching for your new 4×4 hybrid should be fun – you can start online if you want – look up a few different models to get a feel for what you should be looking out for. If you want your hybrid vehicle for off road driving make sure to only look for “Full Hybrids”. This means the 4×4 can run solely on the gasoline engine, only on the electric motor, or using both together, allowing you to get any boosts you may need off road, otherwise you may find the driving experience less enjoyable than you’d hoped.
Another thing to bear in mind when you are looking for a hybrid 4×4 is that it is not particularly suitable for towing trailers or such behind it for long distances. If you specifically wanted your 4×4 for this reason, a hybrid 4×4 may not be for you. If you’re still interested in getting one, look for vehicles such as the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid 4X4. Remember a hybrid vehicle is about 20% more expensive than other vehicles – so you are unlikely to find a hybrid 4×4 for under $25,000.
This having been said, your gasoline savings may make this feel more like money well spent, and the guilt-free conscience is sure to get you far. Try to remember the reasons you are looking for a hybrid 4×4 when shopping for one. If you go to see a dealer about your purchase don’t be afraid to ask questions and go for a test drive before deciding 100% on any vehicle. It’s your money, don’t let anyone convince you to buy something that isn’t what you’re looking for. Most of all – once you’ve finally got it – enjoy it!
Tags: chevrolet, chevrolet tahoe, chevrolet tahoe hybrid, Hybrid, Hybrid 4x4, hybrid vehicle, hybrids, Tahoe, towing trailersRelated posts
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Buying Used Hybrid Vehicles
In today’s economic climate, many families will be looking carefully at their budgets, trying work out the best way to get the most out of every paycheck. For most, a big spending outlay each month will be on gas, and with the BP spill still dominating the headlines, gas prices seem to creep up cent by cent each day. Reducing petrol costs for a family isn’t easy.
Getting a job closer to home often isn’t a viable option due to lack of opportunity, and public transport outside of major cities would put a third world country to shame. It’s no wonder that more and more American families are turning to hybrid cars as a way of reducing their gas expenditure.
However, brand new models such as Toyota’s Prius, which runs off an electric engine at speeds under 30 miles per hour, cost way more than an average car. This is unsurprising, given the high levels of technology going under the hood to switch the car back and forth between the gas and electric engines. There is a way round this, namely looking into used hybrid vehicles. These cost a fraction of the manufacturer’s on the road price, and should always come with a full service history from the previous owners. They represent a great way for the average family to save money, as hybrid cars on average run around 60 miles per gallon, whilst a standard gas engine car will run around 40 miles per gallon.
Obviously, buying a used hybrid car isn’t without its drawbacks. Problems that plague the regular used car industry, such as patched up paintwork, faulty repair work and hidden previous accidents are all prevalent in the used hybrid market. The complex nature of the car’s inner workings add a further level of frustration to those looking for a cheap hybrid, as the electric component of the engine tends to be well sealed away to protect against rust and weather. Most car mechanics are not willing to go near them for fear of breaking the system and being sued by the car’s original owner. This means that while the gas engine service record will be up to date, and fairly comprehensive, the electric part may not have been examined since the day the car was bought. The best remedy for this is to ask an experienced hybrid dealer to look at the car before you commit to buying it.
Tags: car industry, Hybrid, hybrid car, hybrid cars, hybrid vehicle, hybrid vehicles, miles per gallon, miles per hour, Prius, Toyota, Used Hybrid VehiclesRelated posts
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