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If you are going to buy it new, and get rid of it when the warranty expires you will be fine. The battery packs are $3,000 to replace, and the transmission is $10,000 to replace.
- if you're buying the car to save your money on gas costs, you need to be a high mileage per-year driver and keep the car for a long while to make up the difference in purchase price and price per gallon of fuel saved. if that's the case, and you need a car that big, i'm sure it's a fine car.
- if you're buying the car because you like the idea of owning a hybrid and need a full-sized sedan and are not too concerned with getting your money back in fuel over 8-10 years, then I'm sure it's a fine car for that purpose too.
Otherwise, there's isn't much to say. It's a Camry with the Toyota hybrid system.
Look at extra money you need to buy a hybrid, and calculate how much gas that would be over the miles you normally drive, then see how long it will take for you to recoup your money. Some hybrids take over 20 years to break even on cost, some closer to 10.
Unless you're driving a lot of miles, I don't see the premium price worth buying a hybrid car just yet.
As for batteries, costs are dropping as volumes increase - first gen Prius battery packs are now just under $2k to replace.
Look at extra money you need to buy a hybrid, and calculate how much gas that would be over the miles you normally drive, then see how long it will take for you to recoup your money. Some hybrids take over 20 years to break even on cost, some closer to 10.
Unless you're driving a lot of miles, I don't see the premium price worth buying a hybrid car just yet.
As for batteries, costs are dropping as volumes increase - first gen Prius battery packs are now just under $2k to replace.
But holy crap its been so much easier to breath again with these cars everywhere.
- if you're buying the car to save your money on gas costs, you need to be a high mileage per-year driver and keep the car for a long while to make up the difference in purchase price and price per gallon of fuel saved. if that's the case, and you need a car that big, i'm sure it's a fine car.
- if you're buying the car because you like the idea of owning a hybrid and need a full-sized sedan and are not too concerned with getting your money back in fuel over 8-10 years, then I'm sure it's a fine car for that purpose too.
Otherwise, there's isn't much to say. It's a Camry with the Toyota hybrid system.
Pretty much.
I'd much rather have the Honda Civic Hybrid or the Prius which get better gas mileage than the Camry. The insight also looks good but it seems the Civic has more room than the Prius and the Insight.
Keep in mind that the hybrid system really only "works" if you are doing a lot of stop and go driving, where the dynamic braking recovers most of your forward momentum to charge the battery. It takes some practice to learn how to get the best performance out of the system.
Depending, you may be better off with a good used Echo or the Scion equivalent that is still (I think) in production.
Would help to know where you are, regionally, and if your typical drive is rural, urban, etc.
Look at extra money you need to buy a hybrid, and calculate how much gas that would be over the miles you normally drive, then see how long it will take for you to recoup your money. Some hybrids take over 20 years to break even on cost, some closer to 10.
Unless you're driving a lot of miles, I don't see the premium price worth buying a hybrid car just yet.
As for batteries, costs are dropping as volumes increase - first gen Prius battery packs are now just under $2k to replace.
Extra money to buy which Hybrid? My 2010 Prius cost $23,000. The Insight starts around $19,000 and you can find a Civic Hybrid without Nav or leather for the same price. I wouldn't call any of these vehicles expensive.
I would argue that you pay a premium for many cars. A sports car, an SUV, a full size 4X4 pick up. Nobody ever talks about those premiums.
There are plenty of Gen I & Gen II Prius,' as well as Civic Hybrid's that have original batteries at 150,000 - 200,000 miles. Just look at all the Prius taxi's in NYC. In CA, my battery has a warranty of 10 years, 150,000 miles.
Keep in mind that the hybrid system really only "works" if you are doing a lot of stop and go driving, where the dynamic braking recovers most of your forward momentum to charge the battery. It takes some practice to learn how to get the best performance out of the system.
Depending, you may be better off with a good used Echo or the Scion equivalent that is still (I think) in production.
Would help to know where you are, regionally, and if your typical drive is rural, urban, etc.
Actually, you can glide in EV up to 40 MPH. I find that I get the best mileage when I'm gliding around 35MPH on roads with no stop lights/signs. It's easy to regenerate the battery doing this, especially when going down a hill. You are right though, stop and go city driving can charge the battery by regenerative breaking.
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