One and Done: Study says most hybrid drivers don't buy another I read this article that indicates that many hybrid owners (excluding the Prius) tend not to buy another hybrid. What do you make of it? Would you buy another? My thoughts are that people don't buy another hybrid because they don't need to; they're still keeping them whilst buying another car.
I can't imagine not getting another Hybrid. Once you have experienced outstanding MPG's, it's hard to think about going back to a regular car. Love my Prius 3rd Gen, and am seriously considering a trade for the C.
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I'm contemplating buying a second c to replace my present 09 FIT. The first c belongs to the wife which we bought to replace her 07 Prius. Perhaps other hybrid buyers don't buy another hybrid due to the lousy gas mileage they get with their (other than Toyota) brands? They should have known and shelled out for a Prius the first time around. :lol:
The greater majority of Prius on the roads today in the US are less than 5 years old, so these (Prius owner) car buyers are mostly two groups: 1. Additional car to add to Prius 2. Unhappy owners of recently bought Prius CR tells us that group (2) is 5-10% at most, so I think the most we can say from the Polk study is that less than half of families choose to be Prius only when buying time arrives again. If this study was completed in early 2012 when Americans once again flocked to SUVs, the results are even less surprising. Too bad the authors did not compare to 'economy compact fuel efficient not hybrid.'
I think there are two kinds of Prius owners... Those who understand and appreciate how the Prius works, and those who see their Prius as just another car. Those who understand and appreciate how the Prius works will most likely buy another Prius when time comes to replace their existing Prius. We are talking about those of us who understand the benefits of the HSD system-- Regenerative braking, the mechanical simplicity and reliability of the Power Split Device transmission, etc. Those who sees their Prius as just another car (they see nothing special except the fuel economy), would most likely buy some other car when time comes to replacing the Prius. I'm sure some of these people will probably miss the Prius once they realize a good thing after it's gone-- When they see the higher maintenance requirements (and costs) of their new regular car (brake jobs, tranny fluid changes, etc) in addition to the higher fuel costs. Me, I consider myself in the first group. When time comes to replace my Prius, I'll either buy another Prius or some other Power Split Device-equipped hybrid (Toyota or Ford). I'm never going back to a regular car.
I am buying another C in three months followed by a V just for the size on road trips... I'll never go back to non hybrids after getting excellent mileage. As for financials, the C pays itself off if you put the savings against the car, factoring fuel savings I'll pay mine off in 11.4 months, so in 3 years I'll have two paid off Cs and one V on the last legs of a loan vs paying to full term my last two cars. One and Done = one and dumb
I wonder if it's all of those people who bought a Prius for the yellow sticker and now their lease has expired... That being said, I'm on my second Prius (Even though I didn't buy my first, I was the primary driver and it was the vehicle where I honed my P&G skills. We still have it and it's still running strong!) When we bought our Prius in 2004, gas was 75¢/litre ($2.83/gal using 1:1 exchange rate or more likely back in 2004, $2.366/gal @ Cdn$1.20 to the US dollar). The most I've ever paid was $1.37/litre or $5.185/gal. I can no longer brag I have "$30" tanks as they're now over $40. It's still half of what our Camry would've taken, one quarter if you factor in the fact that my Prius' tank lasts twice as long as the Camry.
The latest poll indicated that most people that buy a hybrid, don't buy another one when they trade it in... except Prius owners. Excerpt from Autoweek online... "Almost two-thirds of U.S. hybrid buyers returning to the market in 2011 chose something besides another hybrid. Excluding owners of the best-selling Toyota Prius, the repurchase rate among other hybrid buyers dropped to 22 percent, according to a Polk study released today. According to the study, the loyalty rate for hybrids since the beginning of 2008 has ranged between 26.4 percent in the second quarter of 2010 and 41.8 percent in the second quarter of 2009. The rate for the fourth quarter of 2011 was 40.1 percent while the total for 2011 was 35.0 percent." This article didn't state what the loyalty percentage for Prius owners was. I'm sure it can be found somewhere. I'm on my second Prius, but would our loyalty change if another manufacturer came up with an even more efficient car at a similar value?
meaning trading in their current hybrid for a new one at the dealer. I think gas prices only tell half the story of hybrid owners. True enthusiast come in all flavors and to be honest I'm not a big hybrid fan for it's lackluster performance as far as speed and handling is concerned. What it does exceptionally well in, is save money, sip fuel, and being green. That means a lot to many people, but isn't enough to others. I think the C is headed in the right direction with its emphasis on fun, and low cost. It's 500lb reduced weight was my biggest draw along with the recycling of the gen 1 motor. It's really hard to quantify are hybrid owners all the same, do they stay brand loyal, do they stick to only hybrids. I'd buy another one, but I'm assuming they're only going to get more effecient, fun, and faster
Yes, I know what trade-in means. I was asking for proof that the survey question was built around buyers who traded in hybrids.
My wife was her usual very sweet and understanding self when she indulged my whim to buy a Prius in 2004. It was our first Toyota, and she thought a hybrid was at best, unproven. Fast forward to our car buying a few months ago: I showed her Hyundai, I showed her Honda and Ford. She said I could choose, so long as it was a Toyota hybrid. She had grown accustomed to rock solid reliability and stellar fuel economy, and saw no reason to give it up.
I will definitely buy another hybrid. I want a hybrid Van. hopefully toyota will bring a Prius Van or Sienna Hybrid in US.
this is my 4th one. 2004,2007,2010 and now "shorty" im just a car nut but i do love the technology of the prius. i may, also, just be a nut. i go thru cars like the gabor sisters went thru husbands. i am trying to be a little more responsible, though as i almost reach age 68. who knows??
I think outside of the Prius', people would trade them in because the benefit doesnt outweigh the cost. You look at some of the sedan hybrids, they cost ALOT more money, but get 3-5mpg more and thats it. I'd trade it in too. I'm tempted to trade in my C this fall for less mileage, only because the new Fusion Energi has more room (I'm 6'6"). And it's not giving up THAT much mileage for more day to day comfort. I will probably stick to hybrids moving forward though, as long as they arent gimmicks (Hybrid Tahoe, 20mpg....)
That's exactly how I feel. I am trying to sell 2 of my non hybrids right now so that I can buy a C to go with my Gen II.
