Posted by Mike/AZ on 4/30/08 3:00pm
Msg #245728

Hybrid cars - comments please?

Hi everyone,

I think it's time for me to get a hybrid. I'm hoping to get some of these oil leeches off my wallet. Before I invest in a brand new (or used) hybrid, can anyone with a hybrid comment about the gas mileage you're getting? Is it really true that they're getting 45-50 MPG on average? What make/model do you have and what is your experience with the gas mileage and overall performance?

I did a search here on hybrid cars but only came up with one or two comments related specifically to the gas mileage. (Both of which were positive) Here in AZ hybrids also can use the car pool lane, which would be great during rush hour.

I appreciate everyone's input, thanks.

Reply by jba/fl on 4/30/08 3:47pm
Msg #245731

Toyota Prius, '05

3rd year, excellent mileage: 43-50, depending on how I drive. You get better mileage when you are not using gas, so not hot-rodding is a plus, but if I need the power, it is there to get around slow movers, etc.
Zip in traffic: yes, gives me oomph when I need it
Lots of interior space: yes. Came from pu, miss the bed, but this still has plenty of space as seats fold flat. Can take 3 in back seat plus one in front, so that is all I need. Still have cargo space, and lots of it.

would I buy again: yes I adore it's features.

Reply by czg on 4/30/08 3:56pm
Msg #245732

Re: check p/m n/m

Reply by notaryaz on 4/30/08 4:24pm
Msg #245736

I own a Honda Civic Hybrid in Arizona. They DO NOT run in the heat!!! I have had mine over a year and it is nothing but problems. I just got mine back after 2 weeks this time in the shop for the batteries dying again. I will personal message you also.

Reply by ME/NJ on 4/30/08 4:25pm
Msg #245737

Few things to look at

1. Do you do most of your driving on the hghway or City?

Hybrid is great in the city - Highway is a waste, a Civic or Toyota or even VW Bio-diesel (49mpg) will fair much better.

2. Do you have E85 out there? GM makes almost all of its cars now to take 80% E85. Here on the east coast not one station around that sells it.

Big laugh it cost more to make E85 then gas.

3. Do you want a Hybrid to be green?

The Hazmat stuff in and to make the car are much higher and dangerous then any other car made.

4. God forbid your in a accident - Fireman cannot use the jaws of life on most Hybrid cars. (prone to start fires with the wires and batteries)

While its great car makers are looking at alternate means of transportation, not all hybrids at this time fit most of our needs. Maybe in the future we can give up half the gas we use.

Gas prices are going through the roof all because of Wall St Speculators, gas supplies are the sams as last year and the price of oil has gone up 89% since this time 2007 and nothing has changed in the US matter the fact demand is down.

Reply by jba/fl on 4/30/08 4:30pm
Msg #245738

Re: Few things to look at

Do you have E85 out there?

what is that?

Reply by ME/NJ on 4/30/08 4:34pm
Msg #245739

Re: Few things to look at

Corn.. #1 reason why wheat and bread are through the roof. Farmers are growing corn instead of wheat in the mid-west (only area in the country where E85 is produced in mass)

Now that Wall St has lost its shirt with the Banking Industry they are pushing Commodities to insain levels.

Bought a loaf a bread $4.50 WTH a bagel that was 30 cents is now close to 1 dollar. Articles in local papers people now need to pick if they should eat or drive.

Reply by jba/fl on 4/30/08 4:41pm
Msg #245741

Re: Few things to look at

ethanol then?

Reply by jba/fl on 4/30/08 4:40pm
Msg #245740

Re: Few things to look at


posted Monday on www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=527141&d=10345.53863 - 40k -

Toyota Prius gains 5 stars in the Euro NCAP vehicle crash impact performance tests.
Both the high-voltage electric circuit and the fuel tank enjoy maximum protection in an impact. The hybrid battery is mounted over the rear axle - the safest place in the event of a crash - and the Circuit Break Sensor instantly disconnects the High-Voltage Power Circuit in the event of a frontal impact, operating even before the airbags are fully deployed.
http://www.conceptcar.co.uk/news/technology/cardes...

There is a ton on the net under my search: Toyota Prius, accident, jaws of life I was certain these issues had been addressed so wanted to present them in this discussion

Reply by Gerry_VT on 5/2/08 4:26pm
Msg #245970

Jaws of life

ME/NJ wrote "God forbid your in a accident - Fireman cannot use the jaws of life on most
Hybrid cars. (prone to start fires with the wires and batteries)." That's only partly true. There are areas where the jaws would be OK with conventional cars, but would could damage batteries or heavy wires in hybrids. But you could still cut the roof off, which is a popular technique with firefighters (the jaws have a cutter either built in, or that can be swapped with the crushing/prying tips. I've been a volunteer firefighter. I've cut cars apart, and been in the car with the patient as my buddies cut the car apart.)

No doubt as these cars become more popular, the firefighters will receive training on where you can use the jaws, and where you can't.

Reply by Mike/AZ on 4/30/08 4:59pm
Msg #245745

THANK YOU to everyone

I have received so many helpful e-mails on this topic, and I really want to thank everyone for taking the time out of their day to respond to my questions about hybrid cars. Yes, I do the bulk of my driving in the city, so I think I'll definitely be getting a hybrid. Someone told me that I should buy it soon because there might not be many of those "alternative fuel" plates left here in AZ (the ones that allow you to use the car pool lane here).

I've also received numerous e-mails warning me against the Honda Civic. A very nice signing agent here in AZ, as well as a few other out-of-state SA's, sent me a message with a long list of problems with it. So far, no one has anything but good things to say about the Toyota Prius. Just FYI to everyone else who might read this.

Thank you all so much for your input. I'm very sorry to hear that some of you have had very bad experiences with certain hybrid models - I greatly appreciate you telling me your stories so I don't end up purchasing any of the "problem" models.

-Mike

Reply by JanetK_CA on 5/3/08 12:45am
Msg #246043

Nice of you to share all you've learned from...

private messages with the rest of us!

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/3/08 8:34am
Msg #246084

I agree, Janet.

Posting on a public board means "Let's discuss this publicly."

If you want to PM me about a PRIVATE matter...that's what the PM is for. [Private is about my dog, my mom, my kid, or my latest hobby. ]

Almost 100% of the time I will go public with my PMs for the sake of the discussion. If you disagree with me objectively, that's not likely to shatter my ego and it might stir a good discussion where we all learn something.

Reply by Philip Johnson on 4/30/08 5:04pm
Msg #245747

My knowledge of hybrids is limited, I drive a Subaru

the car of choice in the NW. Here though is a link that talks about the tax credits that still come with certain models.

http://www.hybridcar.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=9&Itemid=60

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 4/30/08 6:00pm
Msg #245758

Re: Hybrid cars - comments please? My girlfriend claims

60......she loves it.

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 4/30/08 6:02pm
Msg #245759

Re: There is a skid issue when on ice....car pretty much

shuts down. Prius that is....

Reply by Mike/AZ on 4/30/08 6:06pm
Msg #245760

Re: There is a skid issue when on ice....car pretty much

Ice on the road usually isn't a problem here in Phoenix, LOL.

I now have 15 PM e-mails from people saying the the Honda Civic shuts down in the HEAT when it hits 90+ degrees, which does definitely happen frequently over here.

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 4/30/08 6:08pm
Msg #245761

well that's not good n/m

Reply by jba/fl on 4/30/08 7:21pm
Msg #245768

Didn't know heat issue, but reason I chose not to go w/Civic

is that the battery is under the back seat, therefore, cannot put seats down for cargo. The Prius is under trunk so perhaps has less heat due to air movement?? I know that there are vents in the back near the shoulder area of the seats that are not to be obstructed, but have only noticed one time that there was noise and air coming from that spot. Perhaps exhausting heat? Never asked, checked w/shop. Hmmm, am going for check up, perhaps will think to ask purpose and get good explanation.

Reply by CaliNotary on 5/1/08 12:52am
Msg #245778

Re: There is a skid issue when on ice....car pretty much

"I now have 15 PM e-mails from people saying the the Honda Civic shuts down in the HEAT when it hits 90+ degrees"

I had a Civic Hybrid for 3 years and never had any problems with it. And Los Angeles certainly gets it's fair share of 90+ days.

If your sole reason for getting the hybrid is gas savings, keep in mind that you're spending several thousand more dollars on a hybrid than you would on a comparable non hybrid car. I think the Civic Hybrid is about $5,000 more than a regular civic. It takes years for the gas savings to exceed the premium price you're paying.

But the carpool stickers are a different story. Those suckers were worth their weight in gold. That was the reason I got the hybrid, I don't know how many hours I saved over 3 years of getting to use carpool lanes, but it had to be in the hundreds.

Reply by WDMD on 5/1/08 8:58am
Msg #245789

Re: There is a skid issue when on ice....car pretty much

"If your sole reason for getting the hybrid is gas savings, keep in mind that you're spending several thousand more dollars on a hybrid than you would on a comparable non hybrid car. I think the Civic Hybrid is about $5,000 more than a regular civic. It takes years for the gas savings to exceed the premium price you're paying. "

I spent roughly $4000 more for my prius than a comparable mid-sized car. I got to claim a $1500 deduction on my Sch C off my SE income the year I purchased. I went from a 15 mpg vehicle to my prius' 45 mpg, which saved me roughly $50 a week in gas. It pretty much made up the difference in price the first year. Well worth it IMO.

Reply by Mike/AZ on 5/1/08 2:04pm
Msg #245846

Gas Savings

Even if I don't get one of those carpool stickers, it's still going to be worth the gas savings. I'm going to be needing a new car soon anyway, as my '99 Pontiac Sunfire is now at almost 110,000 miles, so it's not going to be a major additional expense with that in mind. (Plus my Sunfire gets crappy gas mileage - about 25 MPG on average)

With the amount of city driving I do, I anticipate saving at least $50 per week in gas, probably more with the way gas prices are increasing. Plus, long term, WHEN (as opposed to IF) gas hits $6 and $7 per gallon, I think I'll be glad I made the investment. Based on all the feedback, I think I'll go with the Toyota Prius.

And as you mentioned, if I am lucky enough to get a carpool sticker, it'll save me even more. OH, THE CARPOOL STICKER WILL BE SO NICE! I hope AZ hasn't run out of them yet. Someone told me that AZ only set aside 10,000 of them for this incentive program.

Reply by Sarah/CA on 4/30/08 7:53pm
Msg #245769

We just bought the Toyota Camry Hybrid last month...

and absolutely love it. We had an Ford Expedition gas hog and decided to look at the Prius and Camrys. We chose the Camry just for the leg room (we have two very tall sons). We get between 35-40 mpg average however my husband got 50 mpg on a trip home from Palm Springs. Got to love it! We find ourselves looking for the hill routes home since you can be on the battery instead of gas. There is a gauge that lets you know what you mpg is and whether you are using the battery or the gas engine. It is very fun to drive.

Reply by jba/fl on 4/30/08 11:38pm
Msg #245776

Re: We just bought the Toyota Camry Hybrid last month...

"There is a gauge that lets you know what you mpg is and whether you are using the battery or the gas engine."

When I first got my Prius I used that all the time. It helped me to adjust my driving habits, which is what it is all about anyway. When you see your consumption jump, you can see what is causing it and adjust that habit. Behavior modification at work...lol.

My best tank of gas equaled 52 mpg, with ac running. My worst was 43 in the mountains doing lots of uphill driving which causes more gas usage. I also like downhill driving and was able to average 99mpg on a 30 mile drive, which is thrilling. OK, I admit, late at night, could guage traffic lights so that there was no stopping with its attendant accelleration upon changing to green, coasting on downgrades, and just plain slow at times. Just a goal I wanted to test...

Reply by Sarah/CA on 5/1/08 1:23am
Msg #245779

Re: We just bought the Toyota Camry Hybrid last month...

Oops should be "There is a gauge that lets you know what your mpg is and whether you are using the battery or the gas engine." I also have found myself adjusting my driving habits to get the most from the battery instead of the gas engine.