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HeadlessBill wrote:

[snip]
Also, I'm sure in a few years, some places may start offering services that will turn your current gas vehile into a hybrid vehicle.  I'm not a mechanic, but I don't see why you can't remove your current engine and replace it with a hybrid engine, so to speak.

If it was just the engine, then maybe--but there are also a large set of electronics which also need to be (re)placed in order to get the full efficiency of a hybrid. I think that this would drive up the cost so that buying new would be only a small step up (if not actually less).

Marc wrote:

Moses wrote:

I know I feel safe with a fuel cell full of liquid hydrogen in the back of my car.  Don't bother with the hybrid, after the extra costs and what not it takes you 15 years to save money on gas.

Yeah because that tank of gas is always the safer. 

And bullsmurf about hybrids not making the money up. Its $3+ for regular in small towns in the Midwest. I dont dare think of what it is in California.

Not to mention it being so much better for the enviroment.

My dad has a the Lexus Hyrid SUV and it is a great car.

It is acctually $2.73.  But I saw show about hybrids on Speed, it had this guy filling up his hydrogen from these giant tanks marked "Liquid Hydrogen."  And have you forgotten, that this is America?  Drive your green cars hippies!

razorworst wrote:

I'll choose the Prius over the Focus.  I mean it must be good, Larry David drives it.

But here's my question...

Considering that a hatchback Focus is $15k and a Prius is $21k plus the inevitable several thousand dollar battery replacement service, will you really save any money in the end?

No doubt, the concept of the Prius is great, your conscience will feel good, and your gas payments will be low... but your car payments and services charges will be higher.

The hybrid parts of the Prius are covered for 100,000 miles.  Period. 

The battery replacement is NOT inevitable. I'm getting ready to change the timing belt and water pump on the Camry, as well as a tune up, spark plugs, etc.  I expect to pay several hundred dollars to get this done. Try and tell me a Focus wouldn't require at least the same and probably a lot more. The only required maintenance for a Prius in the first 100k is oil changes and air filters.  Your brakes will even last longer because of how they work.

nannyandnutro wrote:

The hybrid parts of the Prius are covered for 100,000 miles.  Period. 

The battery replacement is NOT inevitable. .

Really? I've heard that'll they 'last' the life of the car, but diminished charge capacity becomes quite apparent after extensive millage.

Really? I've heard that'll they 'last' the life of the car, but diminished charge capacity becomes quite apparent after extensive millage.

How long have you had your car for?

HeadlessBill wrote:

Personally, I'm waiting for the Mini Coopers to come in a Hybrid.

Oh wow, that would be a fantastic car!!  It would probably use hub motors built into the wheels, but where would they put the batteries?  I suppose they might have to shrink the gas tank a bit...

dvpierce wrote:

I haven't seen theirs yet, but I've seen several around here, and I can honestly say that I don't like the styling, but it has the outward appearance of a solid car.

It's my loveable little golf cart on steroids! 

Just wait and buy a Smart car.

No, no...the Insight is a computer mouse.  I get stuck behind one almost every day.

And the Prius is hard to get because it's the only Toyota still manufactured entirely in Japan.  Other than the headlights, it shares no parts with another Toyota.  I believe they'll phase the Prius out in several years so there's no point in building a plant here just to make them.

The new Civic Hybrid will allow for electric-only operation at low cruising speeds.  It's a better bet if you want to be more anonymous, since it doesn't scream I'm a hybrid car!.  It will also have more power and get better mileage.  The new two

The only complaints I've heard are the dash (far from the windshield) and handling, especially in wet weather.  It takes some getting used to.

As for the Escape, it gets great mileage compared to the V6, or even 4 cylinder models.  Being an SUV, it can't employ many of the other fuel-saving tricks (low-rolling resistance tires, aerodynamic tweaks) that hybrid cars do.

Hybrids are all over the place here in CA.  The Ford dealer on Market has several Escape hybrids, I've seen several around town (including several being used as taxis).  Then again, gas prices here in SF are very high, almost $3/gal for regular.

robco wrote:

Then again, gas prices here in SF are very high, almost $3/gal for regular.

That's not high anymore.

I test drove the Prius and was very impressed. When my wife needed a new vehicle, I almost had her talked into it. Strangely, she opted for a truck, a sport trac. Later, I found out why. We have lots of new furniture now she single handedly hauled in from Sams.
A women with a truck is a dangerous thing...