http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Stor...D&siteid=google "We haven't gone into the many hybrids that are on the market because you'd be hard pressed to get back your investment on a purely miles-per-gallon basis. But if you have other reasons for checking them out, some of the best, in our nearly three years of testing, have been the Toyota Prius (assuming you can find one), any Honda hybrid, and the Ford Escape Hybrid. We found the Ford Escape Hybrid most impressive, boasting an EPA rating of 29/33 miles per gallon. To be sure, it will haul lots of stuff including groceries and soccer players and this is very much worth a look." I'm sure someone will want to comment to: [email protected]
A little birdie told me that Ford is making a *massive* push to try and sell those things. Hundreds under MSRP and 0% financing, or something. Maybe spamming advertising thinly disguised as "news" is part of the strategy. . _H*
uh... the prius can carry groceries and soccer players too! :blink: and here we go again... when it comes to hybrids they always talk about return of investment.... sigh... i won't even get into it.... <_<
The US auto industry still likes to push hybrids, as they've made no secret about how they've made the most money off of them.
Let it go. Time will take care of all of this kind of press. As gas approaches $5 a gallon, the "get your money back" will become less and less of an arguement. I don't mind Ford trying to push it's Hybrid Explorer. I think Toyota advertising the HSD is the right marketing strategy. HSD is now the Prius, Highlander and Camry. I think other manufacturers entering the hybrid market will only make the HSD look good. I think the hybrids will sell themselves. No matter how many HSD Toyota makes...they sell. They sell fast. They are in demand. Let the reporters say what they want. They're like movie reviews. Some people will listen. Some people will buy hybrids anyway. Word of mouth is worth more than word of moron.
Money? Ok I bought a package 3 which cost me about $3,500 - $4,000 (at most) more than a similar Saturn. I get 3,150 back at tax time, don't pay personal property tax (VA) and am going to save (at the current mpg rate and $2.959/gallon cost) about $1,200 in gas. I'm ahead after the first year.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mike0422 @ May 3 2006, 08:44 AM) [snapback]249017[/snapback]</div> No, no no! You can't compare the Prius to a Saturn! It HAS to be a Corolla!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(keydiver @ May 3 2006, 11:47 AM) [snapback]249080[/snapback]</div> I only used the Saturn because I also own one and know how it's mileage is. I'll be handing it down to my daughter this year when she starts driving
I believe (my opinion of course) that making a big to do about an article such as the one that originated this post is a waste of time. There is truth in that if economy was the only driving force that there are other cars out there that pencil in better than the Prius. I personally did not purchase the 05 and then the 06 solely because of its gas mileage. I purchased for the following reasons: (Not in specific order of preference) Technologically sophisticated (Bluetooth, Nav, Backup camera, extensive use of airbags, Hybrid System, Smartkey, etcetera. Environmentally friendly (low emissions) Diamond Lane approved Somewhat interesting look (unique?) Low consumption of gasoline Dependability Quality Safety[/size] I realize that the type of automobile one drives often represents a complex set of decisions that traverse a sprectrum from logic to pure emotion. The car that I actually love is my 01 Acura NSX-T with Supercharger, Navigation, XM radio, Headers and Exhaust. I have had it for about five years and just love starting it up and driving it. It is a hand built exotic (as cars go) and represented a paradigm shift when it was first introduced 15 years ago. I also really like my Prius, it just doesn't evoke the same emotions. The Acura is dead on reliable and gets about 21 to 24 mpg. So I really debate when driving a distance on which car to take. If I need the diamond lane than it is the Prius. If I really feel like becoming involved in the driving experience than it is the NSX. I imagine there are others out there who have a similar story. You may disagree with my observations and that is ok cause we are all free to think what we want. Manny
