Trying to Decide on a Vehicle; To Hybrid or Not to Hybrid?

[Flying Tortoise]

Was trying to find an unmolested Honda Civic VX, but it's getting really hard to find and rather than flying all over the country to get one, I started considering getting an old Prius or a newer Honda Civic, like post 2000. My primary goal is long term cost saving. Does it make economic sense to get a used hybrid (Prius) vs. non-hybrid?

Are there any issues I should watch out for when buying an old Prius?

Are there more tricks for increasing mileage with a hybrid than not?

Thank you.

[user removed]

The 05-09 Prius is a good choice if you can find a decent one for a good price. Recent gas price increases are driving the price of the cars up.

regards
Mech

[Flying Tortoise]

Ended up buying a 2002 Prius today for $2,500, think I got I good deal. Everything seems good, except the fan for the climate control doesn't come on, hoping it's a fuse.

How do you if the hybrid battery is good?

How do you tell if the rest of the system is operating correctly?

[alohaspirit]

sounds like a good deal



for me, nonhybrids are more cost efficient
(easier for me to maintain without worry)

[Flying Tortoise]

Originally Posted by alohaspirit

for me, nonhybrids are more cost efficient
(easier for me to maintain without worry)

Hmm... you may be right, I wonder if I may a mistake, buying a hybrid to save money.

[alohaspirit]

nah, everyones different

try to make it work. and if you cant. make a change.

[YukonCornelius]

Originally Posted by Flying Tortoise

Ended up buying a 2002 Prius today

How do you if the hybrid battery is good?

How do you tell if the rest of the system is operating correctly?

If those batteries are bad Toyota dealers will buy them back for $200 each.

[RobertSmalls]

Or you can repair them yourself for $200ish.

It's hard to go wrong with a $2500 car. How much would you have paid for a 2002 Echo with the same number of miles, what's the mpg differential, and how many miles will you have to drive to make that up?

Money aside, I love my hybrid, and I will never own another car that doesn't have a traction motor.

[YukonCornelius]

how many miles are on the prius? $2500 is really low.

[alohaspirit]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

Or you can repair them yourself for $200ish.

It's hard to go wrong with a $2500 car. How much would you have paid for a 2002 Echo with the same number of miles, what's the mpg differential, and how many miles will you have to drive to make that up?

Money aside, I love my hybrid, and I will never own another car that doesn't have a traction motor.

i got my echo for less than $2500

125k miles, 33-35mpg



that being said, hybrids are great too
id like to hear more about your deal too