Basing your purchase only on fuel economy and savings from it is not a prudent one. All of us make assumptions that may not hold good with time (fuel efficiency declines with the age of any car). A hybrid car must be bought with several reasons in mind. Fuel efficiency is one small factor. The fact that you care about the environment, the fact that you can get a very comfortable ride at very little compromise (dollars and fuel) and lastly, the pleasure of gadgetry also should be considerations in a purchase. When you view it this way, you enjoy your purchase from day 1, not from year 2!