What other factors do people use when trying to "justify" the reason for buying a hybrid? In my opinion the dollar savings in gas isn't the best argument.

For the 10,000 miles I’ve put on in 8 months, the actual savings in dollars is ~$300. That’s $37 per month.

Is an extra $37 a month a lot of money? It depends on your own perspective and financial situation I suppose.

Here are some other factors that I think about…
- The $300 I’ve saved far outweighs the $275 I’ve spent on gas.
- So far I’ve consumed about 170 less gallons of gas than had I kept my previous car.
- I could easily go another 10,000 miles on those 170 gallons of gas.
- The emissions are 50% lower than my previous vehicle.
- This car is just more fun than my previous car. (A Dodge Volt Vista Wagon)

I know people often get hung up on the money that they'll save, but I think there is much more to it than that.

Eric Powers

MHG Organizer - www.MadisonHybridGroup.com
Hybridfest 2008 - A Hybrid Electric Car Show and More! www.hybridfest.com
Madison, WI July 19 & 20, 2008

Locally in the Orlando area the gas prices were at $1.99 this morning. Perhaps they've hit $2.00 already, a feat that hasn't yet been accomplished in the past years. Whatever savings you have now, they're small compared to what they could be.

Right now the main perquisite is "hi-tech" science. You've got the meanest, greenest vehicle. Okay, I lied. I have the most technologically sophisticated powertrain available on the market.

Gas savings. Emissions savings. Time savings.
Performance improvements. Luxury feature improvements. Happiness improvements (results may vary...).

Hope that sums it up.

Visit my newly-acquired website, Volconvo Debate Forums!

Other than the fact that I don't have to gas up twice a week now to get to work I tell people my payment is $75 less than the payment for my CRV. I just don't tell people my insurance went up $75! The only reason I really have is I hate to pump gas and I wanted one. I don't even try to justify it to anyone..

http://www.greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/car/1827/signature.png

Eric this is a good topic.
* Saving gas & unstable prices. HCH replaced a car that achieved 21MPG at best.
* Instead of pumping 18 gallons 2.5 times a week I do 11 gallons once a week.
* I'm an (ex) exclusive Dodge buyer. For a year I was really very torn between Neon & HCH.
Neon is lower priced and gets good mileage and is a Dodge. But the HCH is a much nicer car for features, appearance etc.
The tie breaker was the crash safety rating. HCH is 5 star and Neon is less.
* Anyone who visits My Webpage can see that I love technology. Late 1800 stuff to present. HCH fits perfectly.
* HCH has taught me a new way to drive. I tried to drive for economy with my old car once but gave it up after a few weeks. I didn't know what I was doing and it was too boring to keep my interest. The MPG game I play in the HCH is fun, challenging and very beneficial. I have bragging rights around the water cooler & gatherings.
* HCH has given me a whole new overall perspective on driving.
Routine was keep the radar detector on & listen to trucks on the CB for speed traps.
That way I could travel an average of 80-90MPH on my way to/from work, use HOV etc.
The person driving 80 who was in my way DESERVED to be rudely blasted away. I always drive carefully with the family but alone there were no restraints.
Well I'm still here so God must have been watching over me.
I always drive carfully now thanks to lessons from the HCH.
I'm still alive for my wife and 3 kids.
Thanks
Steve

Efficient drivers do it better.
1003 miles a tank personal record. 74MPG calculated. HCH1 CVT

Peggy and Steve,
I never really thought about the fact that it reduces the frequency of filling up. Although it is seems like a minor thing at first, it really is a nice benefit of having a hybrid.
I agree that hybrids can teach you a whole new way of driving. I have slowed down considerably and find myself minding the speed limit. It is nice to actually get positive feedback, in the form of better mileage, just for obeying the law!

Eric Powers

MHG Organizer - www.MadisonHybridGroup.com
Hybridfest 2008 - A Hybrid Electric Car Show and More! www.hybridfest.com
Madison, WI July 19 & 20, 2008

Justification for driving a hybrid?!? What's the justification for not driving one!

Well maybe I like pollutuing the air as little as possable

Maybe I'm just trin to be trendy

Maybe I like to brag about my gas mileage instead of complaining about $2 + gas prices

But really, the real reason (because I've been waiting for the Escape Hybrid) Is just to feel like I'm doing my part not only for the envirment but to lessen our need for oil from the Middle East. By being getting in when hybrids first come out creating a demand and getting the ball rolling for other hybrids to come out the faster we'll be better off

environment it getting worse in my opinion... asthma worse this year than any other
and i'd save over 800 a year on gas alone

A Prius a day keeps the doctor away!

I traded my 4x4 truck for my civic. My truck was getting about 15 MPG in the city at $30 per fill-up about 3 times per month. Now, I get about 3 times the mileage for 1/3 to 1/2 the cost in gas per month, have lower monthly payments, pollute less, and the technology is just cool. For me the lower environmental impact was almost as important as the fuel savings.
Plus, I can actually fit in my parking space at work now.

If I'd already had a higher MPG car instead of my truck, I probably wouldn't have gotten the HCH. Based on what I was spending for my truck, it seemed like a smart trade to make. I was a little surprised when my insurance went up, though.

Greg

'04Civic Hybrid

Well, the issue is not just "why drave A hybrid" for me its rather why buy a Prius, and that is a much simpler question.

I got my car 3 or 4 weeks ago now, I ordered it in January, the only reason I didn't order it sooner was because I was out of work. I had been following the Prius II for like II years during its development, I knew I wanted one.

I test drove a Prius I in mid 2003 just becuase I couldn't wait anymore on the Prius II I wanted a little bit of a preview, but I knew I was waiting for the II.

Prior to my Prius I had a 93 RX-7, which I loved, that got about 15 MPG, and did 0-60 in about 4.5 seconds (it was modified) and I raced it regularly.

I also had a 4X4 truck, which I still have.

I totaled my RX-7 and my 4X4 has 160K miles on it and just is not good for city driving.

I needed a new car.

What car would I possibly get that would be a better car for the money than a Prius right now anyway? I can honestly say that buying any non-hybrid simply makes no sense to me unless you have a specific need, such as needing a truck, van, or want a sports car, etc.

If you are just going to buy a car, then why would you possibly buy something like an average Accord or Maxima or Focus, or whatever?

My only other option was to buy a used car, which I could have done and saved money, something like a 93-95 Honda, Acura, Toyota, or something.

But, the thing is that the Prius just has so many advantages aside from its gas mileage.

Its a perfect car for city driving, which is my sitution. The car was designed for Tokyo afterall! So what justifies buying this car over others?

> Great fuel economy
> Fun to drive in a new way that isn't dangerous and actually benefits society in virtually every way
> Looks cool IMO
> Has a smooth ride that makes city driving more endurable
> Quiet
> Lower maintance (electric motors are far more reliable than ICEs, oil changes only needed every 5K miles instead of 3, less load on the engine, etc Due to uniqueness the cost will still proabably be more expensive though)
> Comfortable ride and nice interior
> Very functional car with the hatchback, IMO its extremely utlitarian
> Very tight turning radius, again making it great for city driving, this is a feature high on my list BTW
> Much lower emissions, always important, though I don't consider this a reason for "ME" to buy it because I know that they will sell out this year so the same number of these cars will be on the raod if I am driving one or not, but it makes me feel good that I am at least not "the one" stinking the place up.
> One of the lowest end cars that has the Navigation system available (though I didn't get it)
> I love the Smart Start and Entry, IMO everyone should at least get this feature, I'm sure it will be common on cars within 5 years
> The car is an overall technology showcase from Toyota and is really the closest thing to a concept car that is on the road right now.
> The car is extremely easy to operate overall, by far, IMO the simplest car to use on the road today.

So really, overall, for anyone looking to buy a new car in the $20K to $26K price range I can't really think of any reason to buy any other car.

The idea of buying something simply makes no sense to me, I wouldn't have gotten anything else.

Strangely, I'm having gas station withdrawl. I feel strange not going to the station more, I used to have to go once a week. I just drove about 280 miles round trip last weekend to visit my family, and have driven all week and I still have 1/3 of a tank left! In my truck I had to fill up to go, and then fill up again on the way back, and then fill up again at the beginning of the work week if I made that trip!

And you're not lacking in the sense-of-humor department, either. I especially like the Mouse video and the Bird vs. Car video.

Thanks for the laughs! :lol: