Camry hybrid selling at record pace

[Arminius]

I'm glad that more efficient cars are taking the place of less efficient ones. I'll be even more happy when the used car market is saturated with very efficient cars. Right now, it's very very bad math to purchase a new hybrid rather than a used econobox.

[Daox]

Why do you say that?

[Arminius]

Originally Posted by Daox

Why do you say that?

I assume someone would buy a hybrid for the efficiency. Most studies show that the added cost of the hybrid is payed for after about 8 years, if the hybrid is one that is covered by the Fed tax incentives (some no longer are). However, a lot of econoboxes sell for less than 7k once they are 4 or 5 years old. The difference is at least 15k, which buys a heck of a lot of gas.

[NoCO2]

In fact, the Camry Hybrid, which is EPA rated at 33 miles per gallon city and 34 miles per gallon highway...

hmmm....that's about what my 1996 2.2L camry can get...

[Daox]

Originally Posted by Arminius

I assume someone would buy a hybrid for the efficiency. Most studies show that the added cost of the hybrid is payed for after about 8 years, if the hybrid is one that is covered by the Fed tax incentives (some no longer are). However, a lot of econoboxes sell for less than 7k once they are 4 or 5 years old. The difference is at least 15k, which buys a heck of a lot of gas.

Your comparing a smaller used car to a larger brand new car. Thats not really a fair comparison. Also, with gas prices increasing you'll see faster payback times. The stats I've seen by Intellichoice show payback as being around 5 years. Of course this varies quite a bit depending on what companies have tax incentives left yet. Also, the payback times don't include any of the other benefits that are included by purchasing a hybrid such as emissions reduction.

[Arminius]

Originally Posted by Daox

Your comparing a smaller used car to a larger brand new car.

Exactly. I'm making a financial comparison. Which is the best for the buyer.

Also, with gas prices increasing you'll see faster payback times. The stats I've seen by Intellichoice show payback as being around 5 years. Of course this varies quite a bit depending on what companies have tax incentives left yet. Also, the payback times don't include any of the other benefits that are included by purchasing a hybrid such as emissions reduction.

I agree that higher gas prices will make the payback for the hybrid that much faster. But the comparison also applies to any new car made by the major auto makers, just with slightly smaller numbers.

As for other factors, the used car usually wins there, too.

[Daox]

I completely agree with you on the used car idea. Never bought a new car in my life and I honestly don't plan to anytime in the future.

However, if I had the extra money at the time of purchasing my Matrix, I'd have a Prius (used) in my driveway right now. My wife puts the miles on like candy and it would pay for itself in no time.

[Arminius]

Me too. It's going to be 10 years, at least, before the used car market is what I would like it to be, with no mammoth gas hogs.

[Smoove]

Originally Posted by NoCO2

hmmm....that's about what my 1996 2.2L camry can get...

And what my wife's 97 v6 Camry gets*




*on the highway, when I drive

[Compaq888]

Originally Posted by hvatum

2.4 liter engine.

It's much more performance oriented than the prius.

it's still a 4 cylender...I had a 2.4 liter in my altima and with tire pressure and some aero mods i would be able to squeeze out 38-39mpg at 70+mph on the freeway...

Since the car has more "performance" they can lower the gearing of the OD or they can put a 6 speed automatic and make the 6th gear pretty low while still achieving great accelaration...

33mpg is great in the city but since the car has more power since it's a hybrid the gearing should be lower..