Many news articles claim that I as a hybrid owner will never make up the "premium" I paid for a hybrid. However my math tells me otherwise. Am I computing it incorrectly? I drive 3000 avg miles per month. My previous vehicle gave me an avg of 20 mpg. For argument sake I will say that my hybrid mpg is 45 (It makes the math easier).

3000 miles @ 20 mpg = 150 gallons
3000 miles @ 45 mpg = 66.67 gallons
At an avg cost of $2.25 per gallon of gas I am saving $187 per month. The first year alone I save $2250.
Once again I ask am I computing this incorrectly?

2 1/4 in exhaust
Exhaust Pix
Intake and CC Breather

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And most articles assume an average of between 12000 and 15000 miles per year because thats what the average driver drives.

Of course I suspect that most people thinking about saving money on fuel probably drive more than the average.

My hydroponics experiment

You ever notice how hard it is to lip read cartoon characters?
"Crazy is what the sane call Delta Flyer"

If I bought a hybrid to only save on gas then I should have bought a motor scooter. I am adding far less polutants to the atmosphere that the person who asked that question breathes had I bought the non hybrid version. When that person installs a super boom box audio system in their car ask them how long will it take to re-coup their cost rather than just having the factory installed radio. Almost like comparing apples to oranges. Some people just don't get it. How about the guy who buys a Hummer, jeeze he paid a premium for that, how long will it take to recoup his investment, uhhh never!

Good points, I'd be interested to see what the "average" person drives a month and what the nationag average "mpg" is.

2 1/4 in exhaust
Exhaust Pix
Intake and CC Breather

Interesting...I wouldn't consider purchasing a non-hybrid Civic. That is why I compare it to the vehicle I owned (Jeep Liberty) vs the non hybrid vehicle.

2 1/4 in exhaust
Exhaust Pix
Intake and CC Breather

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That is the way I lean in this kind of discussion. People who are buying a Hybrid are new Hybrid buyers. The media SHOULD compare thier old vehicle mpg to the Hybrid mpg. Plain and simple if you drove a Civic before you had good mileage, and you may want to get the Hybrid because it is an EX with a bonus. But not everyone that has bought a Hybrid has driven the other model nor would they have considered it otherwise. A person driving a Grand Am, Durango, Cobalt, whatever ... are now looking at these vehicles as an option, we should then compare the cost of the vehicle they would purchase if they were not getting the Hybrid, compare options, and compare MPG.

Here is an easy one. I personally, before deciding on a Hybrid purchase ONLY considered an RX-8 6-spd. To compare the two, in real life, I would drive the rotary as it is meant to be, in high RPMS. I might get 15-20 mpg. In my HCH, I also drive it how it is meant to be, my first tank was over 55 mpg, and this one seems like it will be close to 60 mpg. So I am getting 40 mpg more. Now, compare price of the cars. RX-8 would have cost me several thousand more used with the same miles (about 23000 compared to 20000). So my initial savings is in the thousands. I will give a conservative estimate of 20000/yr. divide by the 40 mpg difference would end up with 500 gallons. 500 gallons x $2.50 = $1500 ... I will also be able to get the sales tax back ($1200). So, my savings in my first year is $5700 compared to what I would have taken out of my pocket, put at least $1500/yr after that. In a few years I will have saved enough to buy a used Insight AND, not to mention that Hybrids resale value is higher than I think any other car out there.

I am more than pleased with the quialty and thrills my HCH has. What more could I ask for in return on my investment.

That is just my views. Yours may vary

A useful thought may be to think of "hybrid" as simply another option package. What's the payback period on a DVD/navi system????? Or the "appearance package"????? Or getting the SE edition with the V6 and stiff suspension?????

Putting it like this shuts up the folks who try to rationalize to me why a hybrid does NOT make sense. At least having a hybrid uses less fuel than what I would have gotten; having a DVD system or stiffer struts does jack for me. Another customer will see it differently. The decision is 100% about where an individual's priorities are; not about getting your money back.

Salesman: "Would you like that in 6 cylinder, 4, or hybrid? Leather, or cloth? DVD system or simply 6-disc CD?"

Customer: "hmmm. So many options to think about."

I have been saying this to people for awhile. I asked the last person who asked me what the payback was on the HCH2 what car he owned. He said a Chrysler 300C with the Hemi V8. I asked him what the payback was for getting the Hemi over the V6. No answer.