Comments on: Hybrids-It’s Not About The Extra Cost, It’s About Making A Better Choice.

By: Pam in Taos

Pam in Taos — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:20:15 +0000

My 2 cents worth:

I bought my (oxymoronic) 2006 4WD Ford Escape Hybrid when I lived in the Denver/Golden, CO, area (famous for 3 foot March snows). It replaced a 13-14 MPG Land Rover Discovery. I almost immediately doubled(+) my gas mileage on my work commute (except when it was REALLY cold).
It was not practical to ride the bus, bike or carpool because of location and hours worked. I received a Colorado tax credit to offset the higher initial cost, and I’m fortunate enough to have a good job which made the purchase feasible. I have NEVER been sorry that I made this purchase. It affords me the option of hauling stuff in the back, seating 5 people if necessary, and getting around fairly securely on bad roads (with what my husband considers “marginal” tires for the task). Since I moved to NM (where they have “real” gas, not E10), my warm weather mileage, last summer, rose to between 33 & 34 MPG and raised my lifetime mileage 29.3.

This vehicle is just part of what I try to do to lessen my household impact.

By: Kate

Kate — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:16:49 +0000

David, my thoughts exactly! It may be a status symbol, but purchasing a hybrid car is also about making a commitment to the environment. Just like bringing your own bags to the grocery store or recycling your plastic bottles, choosing to drive a hybrid is a recognition of The Power of Small in our daily lives. We can all make a difference with just the little things we do. And since the Earth is everyone’s home, I am happy to make the extra investment.

By: rosemarie

rosemarie — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:41:42 +0000

I saw similar articles too and it scared me that carmakers will stop making them now that gas is low because, as you said, that’s not the reason for them. Not everything is for selfish, I want to save money reasons, sometimes it’s for the greater good.

By: Ken

Ken — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:44:18 +0000

Good points….I think I’ll just buy the Hyundai next time I purchase a car.

By: Kira

Kira — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:36:14 +0000

We have a 2007 Prius – and at that point, yeah, we did like the gas prices. We have put on 75,000 miles on the car in the last year and a half, and when you can go from Phoenix to San Diego – round trip for about $30 – that’s a pretty nice savings.
We mainly bought it for the HOV plate though. In AZ, if you bought before 2008 you could get a special plate that allowed you in the HOV lane as a single. This saves me a good 15 minutes each way every day. That was worth it alone!

By: David

David — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:12:32 +0000

We have a 2008. It’s a wagon.

By: Garrett

Garrett — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:47:18 +0000

Hate to tell you this, but a Forester is an SUV. It’s Motor Trend’s 2009 Sport/Utility of the year and the Forester is referred to as an SUV on Subaru’s own website.

By: Michael_W

Michael_W — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:07:43 +0000

I would venture the reason people are writing the articles you are complaining about is because people are using cost savings to justify buying a hybrid. I’ve heard several people both online and in my life talk about the money they’re going to save with the hybrid.

I believe that the main reason people buy hybrids is because they’re the new status symbol in America. Look at me! I care. I drive a hybrid. There are much better ways of doing good stuff for the environment without forking over a “premium” to buy a hybrid. It’s all about status. If someone’s really concerned about the environment, walk, ride a bike, or start a carpool.

By: David

David — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:49:20 +0000

Not at all Miranda, that’s quite good!

I agree Baker, it seems like it to me as well…

By: Baker @ ManVsDebt

Baker @ ManVsDebt — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:27:58 +0000

I agree, the “premium” for Hybrid cars is constantly shrinking. Although, you might still pay a small percentage more, you simply need to aknowledge the you are willing to pay that small % more in order to receive all the benefits you outlined! There nothing wrong with that, in fact, it’s seems like intelligent shopping to me!