Gas prices... when will it stop?

[blackgloves]

I posted this topic about two years ago and was flamed (car forum)

What do yall think about hybrid cars NOW? I drive 70 miles round trip, I could be saving a ton of money with a hyrbid car. They dont look so "fadish" now, that gas is STILL going up. You get around 70 mph in the city and 40 on the hwy

[Mole]

www.phoenixmotorcars.com (http://www.phoenixmotorcars.com)

They are in fleet sales now but in 2008 they are doing a limited release of an completely electric truck and SUV. They are highway ready with a top speed of 95 MPH fully loaded. They do about 130 miles on a single charge and can be recharged in as little as 10 minutes. In 2008 they are planning on increasing the range to 250 miles per charge. The price tag is $25,000. About the same as F-150. I am seriously thinking about getting one once they become available in Texas. I commute about 50 miles a day round trip. Never having to stop at a gas station again would be quite nice.

[dresbf]

The 70mpg highway is the EPA estimate and everyone knows that is not a realistic number. "Hybrids, whose selling point is fuel thriftiness, had some of the biggest disparities, with fuel economy averaging 19 mpg below the EPA city rating." from Consumer Reports http://autos.msn.com/advice/CRArt.aspx?contentid=4023460 (http://autos.msn.com/advice/CRArt.aspx?contentid=4023460)

I ran some quick numbers with the Toyota Camry because there are regular and Hybrid models so you can make a fair comparison.

I took the average of the EPA City and Hwy gas mileage(not realistically correct but fair for a ratio since they are both using the same standard), figured 12,500 miles per year driving, gas at $2.75 a gallon, and determined how long to make up the cost difference.

Price Avg MPG $gas/year
Camry LE AT 20975 28.5 1206.14
Camry Hybrid 26200 39 881.41
Difference 5225 10.5 324.73

This means saving $324.73 a year it will take you over 16 years to make up the $5,225 price difference. This is if you can get a hybrid at sticker price given the demand and are not able to haggle down a standard Camry from MSRP. This is not a perfect calculation but it shows there is still not a good fiscal reason to buy a hybrid. Even if you tweak the numbers some to try and favor the hybrid you will be hard pressed to break even. Also take into account you would have that extra $5,225 to start with and investing it at 8% interest you'd be making $418 a year while your gas savings slowly trickle in. Also the batteries in the hybrid will go out long before 16 years and cost in the neighborhood of $4,000-$8,000 to replace. You can make the argument that a Prius gets better mileage than the Camry but I had nothing to compare it to. Also the Prius is a subcompact car and many of those get 40mpg+ in non-hybrid versions.

[Mezentius]

Batteries on electrics are out of control expensive right now and probably will continue to be so because when they become more popular disposing of them properly will be built into the price by anyone who sells them.

The EPA also gives more leniant guidelines for hybrid economy tabulations so they end up not being as fuel efficient in real life as they are tested in lab environments.

right now pure gas mileage on standard cars is the most cost effective. Even the diesels...I loved our jetta at 45 mph on the highway.

[adamrod]

http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=27&article_id=9844 (http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=27&article_id=9844)

Says a dealer friend whose immense franchise network includes several brands offering hybrids: "There is no advantage to owning a hybrid in terms of fuel mileage when the extra cost of the vehicle is added in. Period. Do the math. This is a feel-good purchase. Hybrids are a statement about the environment, and they simply do not square with economic reality.

"The truth is, although the Prius is selling like mad, hybrid Honda Accords and Civics are backed up on dealer lots. Why? Because they look like conventional Hondas, whereas the Prius has unique styling. It has an iconic status among the Greenies. Like it or not, that's real life."

[Mole]

Anyone care to comment on my completely electric truck?

[whitelightnin_23]

Anyone care to comment on my completely electric truck?

can you go muddin' in it?
can you drive in the rain?
so many questions...

[Thisjeffguy07]

my gf has a toyota prius... it gets around 40 mpg without much difference between city and highway...

[Pumchavas28]

I say everyone goes back to horse back.....:cool:

[Mole]

These might be good too!

http://www.whizzermotorbike.com/ (http://www.whizzermotorbike.com/)

[Slotback]

My mom and her hubby have a hybrid Lexus. Very sweet ride and very quiet.

[Thisjeffguy07]

These might be good too!

http://www.whizzermotorbike.com/ (http://www.whizzermotorbike.com/)

sounds like a plan.... i'm down :gig:

[BigJohn]

I was looking at getting a hybrid and found out that when you turn on the A/C, the engine automatically turns on. So during the summer (and spring and fall in much of Texas), you won't much of savings.

[blackgloves]

dresBF:

Thing is Im paying 3.09 for gas right now and I drive say 23k miles a year

do the math on that and get back with me. Im curious...

[Dustin00whoop]

dresBF:

Thing is Im paying 3.09 for gas right now and I drive say 23k miles a year

do the math on that and get back with me. Im curious...

Where the hell are you paying $3.09? I'm paying $2.79 here!

[blackgloves]

Where the hell are you paying $3.09? I'm paying $2.79 here!

Manor Texas. I dont buy the low grade anymore, I just bought a new car

[The Massacre]

actually, isn't higher octane suppose to used in older cars to make them perform like new cars?

[blackgloves]

actually, isn't higher octane suppose to used in older cars to make them perform like new cars?


:laugh:

[Dustin00whoop]

Unless you have a high performance car, you are wasting your money by buying the high octane sh!t!

[blackgloves]

Unless you have a high performance car, you are wasting your money by buying the high octane sh!t!

My car has 12 lbs of super charged power to it

It loves 93 octane :cool:

[Dustin00whoop]

Well, with that under the hood, I don't wanna hear you bitch anymore about the price of gas. Do like me if you need to: I have a Z-71 Tahoe (drove it forever, until gas prices went up). Started driving a Toyota Solara. Gets 30+ mpg compared to the 14 I was getting in the Tahoe! I still have the Tahoe & drive it when I need to, but I made the Solara my primary vehicle! I drive 50-60K miles a year, so it was a no-brainer for me.

[aggie1997]

I drive a 3/4 ton diesel truck and will continue to do so.

[Dustin00whoop]

I drive a 3/4 ton diesel truck and will continue to do so.

One of 3 three things: you don't drive 50-60K miles per year, you have to continue to drive that truck due to work or circumstances, &/or you were not a math major!

[blackgloves]

Well, with that under the hood, I don't wanna hear you bitch anymore about the price of gas. Do like me if you need to: I have a Z-71 Tahoe (drove it forever, until gas prices went up). Started driving a Toyota Solara. Gets 30+ mpg compared to the 14 I was getting in the Tahoe! I still have the Tahoe & drive it when I need to, but I made the Solara my primary vehicle! I drive 50-60K miles a year, so it was a no-brainer for me.


Ill have you know I was getting 32mph on the way to work and I got 30.6 yesterday SIR!

;)

A 2900 lb car, Inline 4 with a supercharger.... I miss my 01 Z28 but I love this car too!