Why did you, or why would you, buy a hybrid vehicle?
Did you buy a hybrid? Are you thinking about buying a hybrid? Why?
Did you buy a hybrid solely to save money on gasoline? In reality, the only hybrid that might save you money is the Toyota Prius, but only if you live in a city.
Did you buy a hybrid for carpool lane privileges, or perhaps your city offers free parking?
Maybe you bought a Ford Escape hybrid or a Toyota Highlander hybrid because you want an SUV, but you want the industry to focus on fuel efficient technologies.
There are many reasons to buy hybrid cars, and for many buying hybrids is about far more than gasoline costs or a fight against global warming, it is a revolution against the status quo.
What does buying a hybrid vehicle mean to you?
Did you buy a hybrid solely to save money on gasoline? In reality, the only hybrid that might save you money is the Toyota Prius, but only if you live in a city.
Did you buy a hybrid for carpool lane privileges, or perhaps your city offers free parking?
Maybe you bought a Ford Escape hybrid or a Toyota Highlander hybrid because you want an SUV, but you want the industry to focus on fuel efficient technologies.
There are many reasons to buy hybrid cars, and for many buying hybrids is about far more than gasoline costs or a fight against global warming, it is a revolution against the status quo.
What does buying a hybrid vehicle mean to you?
Labels: Escape hybrid, Ford, Ford Escape hybrid, global warming, Highlander hybrid, Hybrid Vehicles, prius, toyota
posted by Dahcredyns at
9:23 AM
9 Comments:
Have not bought a hybrid, but barring financial reasons, I would buy one for most of the reasons you've mentioned (efficiency, world-consciousness, street privileges) and also for the complete set of features. Even without the obvious electric motor assist, hybrid models package as standard equipment ABS/EBD, Climate/Cruise Control, and also offer hard to find features like CVT and Electronic Stability Control.
I bought a Highlander Limited Hybrid because I would like to be part of the solution versus the problem, and because I physically do not fit in the Prius (legs too long). I am a conquest for Toyota, since I had bought only GM cars since I could drive. I was also very much bothered (as was this blog) by Lutz's comment about how the 'Hybrid' VUE will be "cheaper than the competition". Part of me want's to send the message to GM that I'm not stupid enough to fall for that, but rather will be aggravated by claims I know to be false, like GM being first with cylinder deactivation on a V8.
In the process I have discovered that these legions of Toyota lovers are right about the vehicles. I'm now a Toyota convert and that would not have been at all likely if GM had taken the appropriate leadership role in hybrids that it should have instead of focusing solely on milking the SUV dry while dissing the efforts of others to be more responsible from an energy perspective.
I suspect I'm not going to be the last buyer they lose.
I'm buying a Mercury Mariner Hybrid that's due "any day now". I bought it because 1) I don't want to have to fill up so often for my 45 minute (one-way) commute, 2) potentially save $, 3) save the environment, 4) be a part of a good wave of future planet-saving technologies. :^)
I ordered a Prius in January, 2005 because I needed a new car and the Prius met all my requirements. The fuel economy was a big selling poimt. The Prius arrived in July and as I was taking delivery a Hybrid Highlander arrived at the dealership so I bought it also. Now I am known as the Hybrid Man!
I wish to buy a Ford Escape Hybrid or the Mercury Mariner hybrid because:
1. I am an Engineer and I understand the technology and systems involved.
2. My wife wants a small SUV and we rented a gas-only Escape for a few days, which convinced her about what vehicle to buy.
3. I prefer American cars because I grew up with them, I have serviced them, and I can understand them easily. I also had bad experiences with foreign cars, especially parts availability.
Finally, I plan to modify the hybrid so it will run more as an electric vehicle, add more battery to extend its range, and use the gas engine just to recharge the battery (a serial hybrid), or recharge at home (plug-in). Many will say that they don't want to "plug in" any vehicle, but all gas vehicles get plugged in at gas stations (unless you have it delivered to your home!), so I rather have its energy recharged overnight in my garage than travel to a fuel station to wait in line just to handle a explosive and poisonous liquid. Besides, the energy prices for home-delivered electricity is cheaper than the price for gasoline-generated electricity. The next step is pure electric vehicles and no more gasoline.
Multiple studies show that the plug-in for hybrids is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than burning gasoline - all factors considered.
I commend you, Raymond, on converting your hybrid to a hybrid plug-in.
Let us know how it goes!
I sell Toyotas for a living and I own a Prius. I always puzzled why the "experts" always say the Prius only saves you money in city or slow driving.
I live in Columbus and my daughter goes to college in Cleveland 145 miles away.
When we drive with the cruise set at 68 mph we get 54 to 56 mpg.
In our Camry we got about 33 mpg.
That is a very significant savings. In fact a 66% improvement, and at $3.00 a gallon that blows up the city driving theory.
Some of those experts drive around at inconsistent speeds, running the AC on full blast - expecting sports car performance. Many so called experts are performance car orientated. While it is true that the Prius can perform extremely well in the city, especially compared to any similarly sized conventional vehicle, it can ALSO perform quite well on the highway. On the highway; however, the way you drive the Prius has a big effect.
Bought my second hybrid ('07 Escape) for the same reason as the first one ('03 Civic). The gas mileage and to pioneer a new technology. I was very pleased with my Civic Hybrid, but had to give it up when I inherited an antique car that needed to be toted about on a trailer. After 18 month and 24K miles, I traded the Civic in for a Ranger for what I paid for the Civic when I bought it.
Subsequently in the last year, I sold the antique car and no longer needed the pickup for towing and was unhappy with the 15mpg. I really wanted something that could seat at least 5 and actually go off-roading (light duty). The Escape fit the bill perfectly. I get an honest 31mpg in mixed city/highway, over twice what I got in the Ranger and that's using the A/C about 1/3 of the time. I figure with the amount of miles I drive and the current cost of gas ($3.25 gal) I will cover the cost difference in about two years, even without the tax incentive.
My ONLY complaint is the salesman at the Ford dealer. He and I argued about being able to use the carpool lanes here in So. Cal. I kept telling you can't use them in an Escape Hybrid, and he insisted I could. I won. But, I'm laughing all the way to the gas station.
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