Trade or keep??

[loves2read]

I am original owner of Toyota Camry Hybrid 09-bought 08.
I bought it after I retired from teaching. Originally we thought we would use it for road trips vs my husband's SUV, but he just never got to like it. We bought when gas was $$$. I don't drive enough distance to benefit from the hybrid design really. Likely a 4 cylinder and good driving practices would keep gas usage low--especially now when I drive such few miles... But the intention was to have comfortable road car and if hwy had stuck to that plan, car would have been perfect choice. Car has under 33K.

We spend a good bit of time since he retired 2 yrs ago in FL at our second home and leave my Camry parked in TX. We have someone drive it every couple of weeks but not for any real use.
Car was bought for cash...has had regular oil changes and maintenance...
Is model with extras like sunroof, leather, GPS/upgraded sound but no camera
It works great...

My husband has been pushing for me to trade it for new car...
He is worried about the hybrid battery getting old and needing replacement.
Wants to sell before it loses more value...lower gas prices have likely hurt resale as well.

I am not sure if having the car idle for long lengths of time is hurting or helping the battery life.
While we have the money to buy a new car, I am not sure now with both of us retired and going so many places together that we really need a second car.
The impetus to have one is that I don't like to drive his Tahoe SUV---just too big for me to be comfortable with--so if I didn't have car of my own I am very unlikely to drive by myself.

I don't need a new car to have status or make myself feel good...
I understand that the longer we keep this car (without major costs) the better the financial side. But I wonder if it isn't better to trade it now for something economical, safe, and newer--even good used car--
Just so we don't have the battery issue/dropping value...

Suggestions--insight?
Anyone have older CAMRY Hybrid?

I know Scott Burns the investment advisor posted article about his granddaughter going to college with early model Prius he bought decade+ for himself...and car is still in good shape...

[trlhiker]

Actually a hybrid is better for city driving than highway. If you look at MPG's for it, the city mpg is better than the highway. Car is only 6 years old. Battery can go tomorrow or may last another 6 years but since you hardly ever drive it I would say just sell it and do not replace it. Why have an extra car if you will be rarely driving it?

[ukrkoz]

PM-d you. Be very cautious on "hybrid pros" here. Most of them simply read this and that online.