Quote:
Originally Posted by spacemanspif
Thanks stubby! that's numbers I had come up with but as I over-thought it, began to doubt myself. Started trying to work in the premium/regular gas argument and just kept getting more confused.
Oldtamiphylie: don't think she'd go for a Prius, not sure I'd go for one either. Still not convinced that the total footprint of the batteries is offset buy the fuel savings. Thanks for the math on that tho showing how something that good can completely cancel out a gas guzzler like a Jeep....or a turbo Subaru
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The battery in my Insight, and the older Prius at least, has similar total watt-hours to the 12v battery under the hood. It's more efficient to charge/discharge, lasts longer and can take higher currents, but honestly it's no "bigger" than the lead acid most people throw away every 3-5 years.
Anyway, if you're buying used, the battery is kindof irrelevant unless you plan on buying another one, and most outlast ownership of the car. Is a used Prius (or other hybrid) significantly more expensive than an equivalent used non-hybrid?
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If I were buying a car in the $3-5000 range (for a non-enthusiast), the only ones I'd really consider would be a Prius or Fit.
If you really shop around, you might be able to find a used Volt close to 8k. While running on electricity, you can expect around 2 cents per mile for the first ~35 miles, and you'll have far lower maintenance needs since the ICE won't be spinning the vast majority of the time.