Do Hybrids Really Make Sense?

[IamIan]

Originally Posted by nimblemotors

Roadshow: Prius goes 530,000 miles on one battery - San Jose Mercury News

Nuff said?

I have a long way to go to catch up with the guy who past 748k miles in his I1 last year (2014)... He is no Hypermiler .. just drives the car.

Give me a few more decades .. I'll get there eventually

[user removed]

Sentra at 8 cents a mile. 2001 Insight manual (in fla) $3500 and 5 cents a mile, both include insurance.

3 cents a mile into 3500, 3500 X 33= 115,500 miles to break even, if I decided to replace the Sentra with that 2001 Insight. That's the break even point, and any additional repairs taxes or insurance would only make that break even point further away. Which car might require more maintenance and repairs in the next 10 years is anyones guess but I would lean towards the Sentra being cheaper.

Yes I could recover some of my Sentra money by selling the car, but what will I have to spend on the Insight to get it to that level (of the Sentra right now).

Va would charge me $100 in sales tax on the purchase, the total DMV fees would be another $200 or 6600 miles more.

Bottom line for me is I am considering it, that Insight seems to me like a great deal, but giving up on the Sentra would cost me a lot less money if there was a catastrophic failure. Maybe some would argue that it is not a fair comparison, but for me it's fair and honest. I simply risk a lot less by staying my present course and pursuing my two seater that should do even better.

Is it worth spending $3500 to save me $35 a month?
8.33 years or more, maybe less.

regards
mech

[Xist]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

Is it worth spending $3500 to save me $35 a month?
8.33 years or more, maybe less.

Do it! Then you need to stick around forever!

[nimblemotors]

But what will you pay extra in taxes in the future, when they have to tax everyone to clean up the pollution left behind by all those fossil fuel burning cars? Burning less fuel isn't just about saving the cost of filling the tank.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by nimblemotors

But what will you pay extra in taxes in the future, when they have to tax everyone to clean up the pollution left behind by all those fossil fuel burning cars? Burning less fuel isn't just about saving the cost of filling the tank.

True, but this argument is frequently used *against* new hybrids, because of battery manufacture. In the used market, both cars will probably be driven, unless you intentionally junk one, in which case you're probably causing someone else somewhere to get a new car.

[KFM]

Originally Posted by nimblemotors

But what will you pay extra in taxes in the future, when they have to tax everyone to clean up the pollution left behind by all those fossil fuel burning cars? Burning less fuel isn't just about saving the cost of filling the tank.

Well, technically it still has an ICE, so it's still burning fossil fuel.

For me, the main argument in my decision to purchase an Insight was the monetary savings. For me, it was worth it just to have a car with air, that also got better mileage. I love the car, though, it's really unique and drives great, but you're probably not going to break even unless the Sentra up and died and the Insight kept ticking. However, by that point, you're probably going to be putting another battery in the Insight, which isn't cheap in any case.

[Ecky]

In my case, I don't think I've actually saved much money on gas since I got my Insight, because I've driven a lot more. $60 to drive from Florida to California makes the trip a lot more palatable than $140 in my previous car. $4 to visit my father (165 miles) vs $10 means I'll do it nearly twice as often.

[KFM]

Originally Posted by Ecky

In my case, I don't think I've actually saved much money on gas since I got my Insight, because I've driven a lot more. $60 to drive from Florida to California makes the trip a lot more palatable than $140 in my previous car. $4 to visit my father (165 miles) vs $10 means I'll do it nearly twice as often.

That's one of the things that I love about this car. I'll probably end up spending more on gas than I did in my Accord because of it ( heads-up, because I didn't know this when I bought it ). My wife and I took our first trip in it last week, and there's just something exciting about packing two people and their stuff ( not to mention the Tetris game of trying to fit the stuff you bought on the trip in, too ) in a little two seater and just driving to wherever. It took me about 45 minutes longer than Google Maps said when we went on a 200 mile trip, but we were actually enjoying the lower speed and getting to see all of the scenery around us while people flew by on the left and right. Plus, on that entire trip, I didn't get honked at one time. In my Accord, other drivers would honk, and yell, and cut me off, but in the Insight people most likely just sigh as they move over to the other lane to pass.

The value you get out of the Insight depends on what you put value on. It will probably not work out economically, especially if it causes you to drive more, unnecessarily. But to me, it's a pleasure to drive when surrounded by people, or when no one else is around, plus, the car basically hypermiles itself. This has become my favorite car I've ever owned, and for me, this is one for the long haul.

[IamIan]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

Sentra at 8 cents a mile. 2001 Insight manual (in fla) $3500 and 5 cents a mile, both include insurance.

3 cents a mile into 3500, 3500 X 33= 115,500 miles to break even, if I decided to replace the Sentra with that 2001 Insight.

Yes I could recover some of my Sentra money by selling the car, but what will I have to spend on the Insight to get it to that level (of the Sentra right now).

Completely depends on what you find ... I know 3 people I work with you have bought Gen1 Insights all 3 paid less than $3,000 ... the cheapest was $2,500 ... and all 3 had to do ... Nothing to the car.

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

Va would charge me $100 in sales tax on the purchase, the total DMV fees would be another $200 or 6600 miles more.

... and if you got even $300 for the Sentra that removes that $300 or 6,600 Miles.... If you get $600 it paid for that $300 and took another $300 off the Insight.

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

Is it worth spending $3500 to save me $35 a month?

Entire up to you ... to each their own ... but ... I suspect ... 2 months of Spring or Fall driving of the Gen1 and you'd be happy with the trade.

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by nimblemotors

But what will you pay extra in taxes in the future, when they have to tax everyone to clean up the pollution left behind by all those fossil fuel burning cars? Burning less fuel isn't just about saving the cost of filling the tank.

I've always thought if people were serious about this concept they would advocate a total energy usage cap per person. Not carbon offset paying for your sin nonsense but an actual per person energy usage cap. It would take into account their home, their transportation, their recreation, etc. Who pollutes more a prius driver driving 100 miles a day living in a 3000 square ft home in the suburbs taking vacations across the country on jets or somebody like me driving whatever 6 miles a day and living in a 1500 sq ft home who drives 100 miles up to the lake a few times a year?
The problem is whenever the government offers involved they will put in loopholes for the rich, and the poor won't really be effected, so the burden will fall on the average Joe.