"Buying a hybrid car"

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  Posted: Apr 10, 2009 02:47 AM

  TheBestLife

  Richmond, VA

  Phil writes a blog for the U.S. News & World Report called The Best Life.

  Would like to hear from anyone who has bought or considered buying a hybrid car. What are the advantages and disadvantages?

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• #1

  

  Posted: Apr 14, 2009 09:58 AM
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  Kit10

  Cedar Rapids, IA

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  Phil, there are obvious envrironmental reasons to drive a hybrid, but you also may be able to get a generous tax credit. Before a model hits a certain threshold of cars sold, you may be able to get a federal income tax credit. You can find out the status of the different models at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/Feg/tax_hybrid.shtml. Also, some states exempt hybrids from sales tax.

• #2

  

  Posted: Apr 15, 2009 07:59 AM
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  middlec

  Boise, ID

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  I do a lot of local driving and get about 22 miles a gallon. You actually get better mileage in stop & go traffic, because when you apply the breaks it stores energy. At higher speeds the engine switches from electric to gas, so highway driving is less advantageous. . But, one caveat - the engine has to heat up before the electric mode kicks in - so if you only drive very short distances, a hybrid may not make much of a difference in your fuel costs.

• #3

  

  Posted: Apr 15, 2009 03:59 PM
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  roadrunner

  Tampa, FL

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  on some highways like here in Florida you can travel in HOV lanes even if you are alone... check your state motor vehicle commission website

• #4

  

  Posted: Apr 16, 2009 06:24 PM
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  greengirl

  New York, NY

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  i have been looking into purchasing a hybrid car and after doing some research found a few negatives worth considering... obviously one of the main reasons is the higher price tag associated with a hybrid

  but other things i read were that their battery packs made the car heavier, in different states they were extra fees for registering a hybrid, it may be harder to find spare parts for the car, and you could potentially be exposed to high voltage wires if you are in an accident.

  its worth thinking about these different negatives when considering about purchasing a hybrid.... of course there are many positives associated with helping the environment which may ultimately be more important, as well as that over the long run hybrid cars are cheaper than gasoline ones

• #5

  

  Posted: Apr 16, 2009 08:31 PM
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  Bobbysox

  Columbus, OH

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  We just started to think about our next car and I want to do my share, but my commute to work is 99% highway. The hybrid technology won’t come into play since the brakes are not engaged as often as street driving. The obvious disadvantage to buying a hybrid is the additional expense.

  Before going further, I’m going to study how much of my total mileage is street driving during a two week period. It may be close enough to make it worthwhile and feel proud about what I drive.

• #6

  

  Posted: Apr 16, 2009 09:17 PM
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  Patch

  Bloomfield Hills, MI

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  I think I will adopt a wait-and-see attitude for the foreseeable future.

  I like the premise behind hybrid cars but need to be more convinced about its viability as a true alternative to gasoline.

  I've never really been the first to try something new out, but I think when it hits mainstream and it is more common I will probably get one. I read recently that China had been ramping up its production of electric and hybrid cars in an attempt to get a head-start on the US. It will be interesting to see which country becomes the innovator in this area.

• #7

  

  Posted: Jun 07, 2009 08:26 AM
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  rwatman

  Columbus, OH

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  I'm going to purchase a used Camry Hybrid. I think the technology is here. You might also consider looking at diesel - I live in a small town, and we don't have a dealer that carries diesel automobiles. The new diesel Jetta is advertised at over 50 mpg, and I have read that Honda and Toyota are ramping up their diesel production. The biggest disadvantage I've read of for hybrids is that MPG is lower in colder weather. In Richmond, that may prove to not be significant.