Hello Everyone,
First Off, this is my first post on this forum... so thanks for having me. Okay, here's my story. I’m 22 years old, I am a Full-Time College Student & Part-Time Licensed Real Estate Assistant in the SF Bay Area. I will be graduating in about 2 years. Currently as a part-time real estate assistant I don't have to drive clients around. But when I graduate from college I will be a Full-Time real estate assistant and will have to do all the duties as a Realtor.

Okay, I know this is where I'm going to get hated on. I currently drive a Lifted Jeep Grand Cherokee V8. Yes, horrible gas mileage; apx 13mpg avg. But my childhood toy will have to go come time to face the music of "real life". Clients don't want to jump into a lifted jeep, nor is it the easiest to drive in city conditions, nor is it affordable.

My main question is what are the main pro's and con's of owning a hybrid?

Have any reliability issues arisen?

Is the best route to go a prius? I am also looking at Honda civic hybrids?

Any Ford Escape 4x4 Hybrid Owners? I go to the Lake Tahoe frequently to escape suburbia & city life. This hybrid would allow me to continue to bypass chain control check points. Is this a good option?

Anyone in the bay area know of negotiating friendly hybrid dealerships? I went into my local prius dealership and due to demand, they will not negotiate. Is this the norm?

Thanks In Advance,
Brendan

For a real estate agent, I would suggest a Toyota Camry Hybrid, a Ford Escape hybrid, or a Toyota hylander Hybrid.

I doubt many clients would appreciate the prius as a "show" car.

Remember, these are the people buying your product and you want to keep them comfortable when they are looking at houses. A tired shopper will not spend money.

I'd like to second the hybrid Camry for the following reasons:

• quet - you'll be able to listen and talk without having to put up with engine and road noise
• quality, not opulence - it sends a message of a sensible, hardworking but not 'rolling in riches' agent
• ease of entry and exit - your clients, especially those with physical challenges will be able to get in and out without having to squat or climb up
• economical operation - you could leave the car in the sun with the AC running and the engine auto-stop feature would continue to work. The electric AC would keep the car comfortably cool while you're showing the clients a house and when they get back in, it is 'nice.'
• make money on IRS rate - it is cheaper to operate than the IRS deduction for per mile usage

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

**** thats a cool little feature. Didnt know it exisited. I have a remote start on my jeep right now that i use for oppisite reasons. Its nice to be able to press a button from inside a warm house and hop into a warm car while visiting the snow.

"make money on IRS rate - it is cheaper to operate than the IRS deduction for per mile usage"

how does this work? I get to write off more per mile because i would be driving a hybrid?

The IRS has a standard rate for mileage for business and medical expenses. I have to check it each year but I think it is about $.35-.40 / year (someone will know.) But the cost per mile of operating a Camry hybrid is a lot less. You simply record your mileage for business use and itemize it on Schedule A.

At work, we have a rate of about $.45/mile and all it takes is three trips to the government facility and I've paid for my commuting gas for the week.

Business expenses are an important, itemizable deduction but check the IRS rules. There is a special forum for such questions, take it there and someone will help.

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.