Still Waiting for Hybrids to Be the Smartest Buy

I don't understand why hybrids have to "pay back" anything. If you buy an Avalon over a Camry are you calculating the difference in enjoyment of one over the other?

 

The answer to your colleague's question: NO!

Don't be a sucker and just buy any old "hybrid" because it sounds cool. If you have half a brain you can see the difference between a Chevy Tahoe and a Prius.

And don't buy for any type of "payback" in gas savings. How many conventional cars pay you back? You're right: none. Hybrids don't pay you back either, you still pay for gas. The Prius does have very good emissions by comparison though, which is one "non-monetary" benefit not listed in that article (go figure).

There's a more important question that your friend and the rest of the country should be asking themselves though: Should I buy ANY car?

A car is a financial burden no matter what type of car it is. And it uses energy to get around. And cars are pretty deadly too. Our society is really dependent on them right now, but I think the long-term approach shouldn't be more cars of different design, because that's complicated and costly. The goal should just be fewer cars.

 

I wonder if he is waiting for his sunroof in his current car to pay for itself before buying a new one
I really do have to laugh at the 'it has to pay for itself' idea.

 

The Prius never pays for itself.
If you have $25,000 to spend on a car including access to finance you buy a $25,000 car, if you have a better situation or kinder bank manager and can afford and want to buy a $37,400 car then that is what you will end up with.

So comparing a Prius to a similar price car the Prius starts saving money over a thirstier car from day one. The car won't pay for itself unless you use it for delivery work or something to earn money.

 

Well keep waiting and keep paying more /month for gas. Have fun, cause I know I am with the extra money I'm saving from not buying as much gas as you are per month

 

Hi Catti ,
Ask your collegue when the payback starts on his/her SUV ... or Motorhome ... or harley ... or Vette ... or 1/2 ton pick up ... or (fill in blank) ... it'll be interesting to hear their response

.

 

On The Other Hand, at least this gets some people who might never otherwise do it thinking about the economics of car ownership. (Short summary: it sucks.)

 

My GF bought a motorhome. Can someone help me calculate the payback period on her purchase? :madgrin:

 

Sure, I will try:

Cost of Motorhome $100,000

Cost of gas a freaking lot of money right now and always has been

Not staying in a hotel.....nice

getting your kids to travel and like to travel....excellent

Sitting in a traffic jam watching the kids play cards and laugh..freaking funny

Taking your dogs on vacation....excellent..great...everything it should be

Seeing the sights...great

Not sitting at home complaining about everything...awesome

Traveling with your friends who have motorhomes too...awesome

sitting by the campfire with your family...awesome

Getting up for a run at the campsite at 5am...peaceful

Taking the bikes of your motorhome and going for a ride...incredible...


I could go on and on! Payback ain't always about money!

Rusty

 

Thanks.

I was tempted to send an email to the author of the article in the OP and suggest that he do a payback study for walking vs. buying a conventional car, but I doubt that he would appreciate the irony.

Re: the motorhome - I wanted to get a tent trailer to replace our dilapidated 1978 camping trailer, but she wanted to get a motorhome. But at least she only paid $25k for it. You can get really good deals on motorhomes when gas is $4.50 gal and diesel is $5.

 

Personally, I am less interested in saving gas money (although that will be cut in half for me when I get my Prius) than I am in just using less gas. Hopefully, some Hummer owner will appreciate my "sacrifice" on their behalf.

Not to mention the Prius is just too cool for school!

 

Wait until oil prices come down. Oil will not stay at $130 a barrel--the industrialized countries can't afford it. The key is to get the big financial institutions out of commodities. That's why the price is inflated. They suddenly got into oil futures in a big way, and pushed the price up.

Besides, a lot more hybrids will be on the market in 6-12 months. Probably cheaper and more fuel efficient.

 

Good one!

B

 

Here is how a Prius may be a smart buy for anyone:

a.) yes..gas mileage...I saved over $230 per month just in a vehicle swap. That equaled out my car payment for a car that is 4 years newer. When I say equaled out..I mean if you minus the gas savings from my existing car payment ...the payments are about the same for a newer car.
b.) No form of transportation is free..right? The concept that a car should "be the smartest buy" is ...well.....not too smart. All cars are costly and if you are going to get a new one, get one that makes sense for you. PRIUS is the undisputed champ of gas mileage and has many other safety and reliability +'s.
c.) The "smartes buy" may be to keep your old car if it is paid off. My guess is if you are driving a car today that gets under 25MPG you are better off (in a 5 year plan) to trade into another more efficient car.
d.) If I didn't get a PRIUS I may have gotten any number of other non hybrid vehicles that absolutely NEVER pay themselves off. I bought for : form, function, pleasure, gas mileage, and something I would enjoy. Smart buy is too undefined for all to equally assess.

 

I've saved over 110 gallons of gas in about 8 months compared to my previous car (28+ mpg premium). That doesn't pay me back, but it's a plus added to the other reasons for the switch.

 

Sounds like a great deal. My family has been using trailers and motorhomes to go camping for some 50 years.
So many places to see...so little time!

 

Don't forget resale value of the Prius vs other cars. No mass produced car on the planet comes even close. Those that bought 2004's six months after they came out(when prices dropped), were able to buy base models for $20K and get a sticker. Those same cars used 4 years later are fetching $3K to $4K more than they were new.

 

Now sell your house & live in the motorhome. Parking at your employer's lot should be free and you can walk to work. Change your address to "General Delivery" and pick up your mail at the Post Office window.