Not only are their heads in the sand, but they are operating in a vacuum, too.

When one determines the feasibility of purchasing a hybrid for their use, they take into account the current environment they are working in. When I purchased my HCH, I didn't take into account what the EX cost, I compared it to what I was currenly driving.

Since May of 2004, I have put over 30K miles on my hybrid. The vehicle I retired (still in use for special purposes), was a 1993 Ford F150 truck, which got 15 MPG. It had 195K miles and a lot of little things were going wrong. I had gotten stuck once last year when a tensioner pulley broke and the power windows were becoming balky in warm weather.

In a gas only comparison, I would have spend approximately $2,717 more for gasoline during that time. Granted, I put that $2,717 (plus some) into car payments, but I have avoided paying for the needed repairs on the truck, I have not had to stop as often for gas (the F150 had a crusing range of 225 miles compared to the 600-700 on the HCH), and I can carry my golf clubs in the trunk.

Oh, BTW, using less gas feels good.

When someone else tries to tell you what makes sense, shake them out of their oblivious state. What makes sense to one person, doesn't necessarily make sens to another person. That's what makes us individuals.

::gets off soap box before someone kicks it out from underneath him::

-Charlie...