GasBuddy News Article

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Should You Buy a Hybrid or Battery Car?

The Detroit Bureau -- A high price up front can save you money at the back end.

You can do the math the same way for any battery vehicle. Take the 2010 Prius. In real-world conditions, most motorists are getting around 45 mpg, which works out to (where’s my calcuator, ah…) 333 gallons annually. At $2.50 a gallon, that’s about $833 annually. A sedan averaging 28 mpg would use 536 gallons, at a cost of $1340. The annual savings? About $507. And during a 7-year ownership? A little more than $3500.

Now, there are plenty of other factors we could work in, such as maintenance, resale, and so on, but this is a good start for making a comparison. You’ll have to figure out the numbers for factors like helping the environment – never mind getting access to the car pool lane on your local freeway.

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Submitted Mar 14, 2010 By: fordmexico

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carefrey All-Star Author Orlando Posts:985 Points:221,980 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 7:05:55 AM Ignore carefrey Report Abuse I can't afford either one!
racerdj Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:4,925 Points:1,082,985 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 7:05:44 AM Ignore racerdj Report Abuse I am looking at the long term reliability issues.
FuelOilOH Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,120 Points:575,570 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 6:33:25 AM Ignore FuelOilOH Report Abuse My average speed on my commute to work is somewhere around 35 - 40 MPH with over half being interstates at 65+. Hybrids won't work for me.
rowing All-Star Author Macon Posts:880 Points:261,610 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 6:27:15 AM Ignore rowing Report Abuse I still think I don't want one. They still have alot of bugs to fix
biza4u Champion Author New Haven Posts:3,626 Points:660,430 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 6:23:55 AM Ignore biza4u Report Abuse Look at the battery life expectancy and the cost of replacement. Now you have a car worth nothing with approximately $6000 of batteries you will need. Savings I think not, its will end up costing you more
RocketGeek Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:5,622 Points:1,137,985 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 6:21:23 AM Ignore RocketGeek Report Abuse In ten years time, you'll have saved enough to replace the batteries.
dave364 Champion Author Lansing Posts:1,328 Points:537,205 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 6:19:38 AM Ignore dave364 Report Abuse in ten years time you will beable to afford another car based on this calucations
jppezz Champion Author New Mexico Posts:3,649 Points:717,130 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 6:19:13 AM Ignore jppezz Report Abuse Not if your smart.The going rate for a new battery is 12 to 18 thousand dpllars. they are guaranteed for 10 years or 100,000 miles.
olcowboy14 Champion Author Spokane Posts:4,685 Points:743,950 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 6:18:00 AM Ignore olcowboy14 Report Abuse Not for me. That guy that had the run away said he was only doing 81 mph, if I'm going to have a run away I want it to be over 100 mph.
epf Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,594 Points:926,825 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 6:17:34 AM Ignore epf Report Abuse I have a Prius and there is no doubt in my mind the ROI. Gas was $1.99 when we purchased the car.
ArmydudeNC Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,210 Points:404,100 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 6:16:29 AM Ignore ArmydudeNC Report Abuse I'm still weary of both vehicles with the premimums placed on each vehicle. Even with the tax credit and money saved on fuel during the first seven years it's still not enough to lure me or others to these vehicles. The initial premium and overall paid price for these vehicles is what deters most from them.
JCUBE Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,566 Points:951,075 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 6:16:17 AM Ignore JCUBE Report Abuse If you'vre got a lot of money and are into toys....and don't travel much....
AvantiMick Champion Author Indiana Posts:8,031 Points:1,604,395 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 6:11:21 AM Ignore AvantiMick Report Abuse And......then you need a battery and it all averages out!
cajun57 Veteran Author North Carolina Posts:264 Points:767,590 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 6:10:41 AM Ignore cajun57 Report Abuse I cannot afford a new vehicle and will never buy a new vehicle again plut they HAVE to increase driving range in the batteries to even CONSIDER a battery vehicle.
silverfox63 Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,359 Points:671,695 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 6:09:08 AM Ignore silverfox63 Report Abuse Will not buy a battery car until the technology improves on the batteries.
Ringmaster2008 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,952 Points:503,635 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 6:06:12 AM Ignore Ringmaster2008 Report Abuse I am not looking for a new vehicle now. Hybrid or electric might be a consideration if I could afford it and it fit into my budget.
theawesome1 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,661 Points:810,140 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 6:05:35 AM Ignore theawesome1 Report Abuse When Summer hits & I want to drive to see somewhere new, a restaurant, a waterfall, etc. I DO NOT WANT TO SIT & DRY WHEN I CAN ONLY DRIVE 40 MILES A DAY IN MY $40k CAR. So it will not make it. Folks want 100 mpg in a hybrid & more for battery. And then the yearly price of a new battery & this will not be at Sears or KMart.
1fulltank Champion Author Buffalo Posts:3,010 Points:581,850 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 5:57:30 AM Ignore 1fulltank Report Abuse Like the idea of electric, but not totally sold on it. Can you imagine "Big Electric", kin to "Big Oil"?
emptytank08 All-Star Author Pennsylvania Posts:568 Points:612,450 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 5:56:54 AM Ignore emptytank08 Report Abuse Can not afford either
nyyankees2 All-Star Author Omaha Posts:979 Points:187,650 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 5:55:31 AM Ignore nyyankees2 Report Abuse Maybe later but not now.
gasandgoAL Champion Author Alabama Posts:1,951 Points:614,380 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 5:55:11 AM Ignore gasandgoAL Report Abuse can't afford a new car. price is above my bank account
mandoid Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:2,894 Points:616,730 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 5:49:24 AM Ignore mandoid Report Abuse not buying either
skippypa Champion Author Hawaii Posts:3,529 Points:766,090 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 5:41:41 AM Ignore skippypa Report Abuse Can't afford either one of them!!!!
paoli8 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:2,987 Points:932,660 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 5:40:08 AM Ignore paoli8 Report Abuse The required battery for these cars have not stood the test of time.
Ratso Champion Author Ohio Posts:11,051 Points:1,721,495 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 5:38:59 AM Ignore Ratso Report Abuse I wouldnt buy either one right now. If I HAD to choose it would be the Hybrid though. The battery technology hasnt come around enough yet to allow for long distance trips.
danny999 Champion Author Florida Posts:3,706 Points:663,835 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 5:29:15 AM Ignore danny999 Report Abuse IF YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE LONG TRIPS USE A HYBRID.CAN'T PICTURE STOPPING EVERY X NUMBER OF MILES TO RECHARGE A BATTERY.
Boo1989 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,172 Points:558,140 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 5:25:04 AM Ignore Boo1989 Report Abuse Disposing of the used batteries is very destructive to the environment.
grouch311 Champion Author Illinois Posts:4,044 Points:671,305 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 5:19:19 AM Ignore grouch311 Report Abuse no thanks
NewfieGasMan Veteran Author Newfoundland Posts:394 Points:240,745 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 5:17:23 AM Ignore NewfieGasMan Report Abuse No don't need it
jimmy123NE Champion Author Omaha Posts:1,748 Points:554,715 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 5:10:21 AM Ignore jimmy123NE Report Abuse I wouldn't buy either one right now!
goldseeker Champion Author West Virginia Posts:12,910 Points:1,748,340 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 5:10:04 AM Ignore goldseeker Report Abuse Ditto: Diesel. Forget the Hybrid
harleydoctor Champion Author Kansas Posts:2,495 Points:966,930 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 5:05:28 AM Ignore harleydoctor Report Abuse I'm hoping if I hold out a little longer Your obammy will give me one......
Dipstick1 Champion Author Amarillo Posts:5,140 Points:1,477,790 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 5:04:12 AM Ignore Dipstick1 Report Abuse If you really ddo the math, you won't buy one. Especially the plug-in variety. Electric energy is, on average, more expensive than gasoline energy in most areas of the country.
vwphred Sophomore Author Toronto Posts:135 Points:1,320,915 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 5:04:04 AM Ignore vwphred Report Abuse Diesel. Forget the Hybrid
Paw5X Champion Author Gary Posts:5,724 Points:1,544,620 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 4:58:06 AM Ignore Paw5X Report Abuse Still not sold on either one yet.
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:8,001 Points:1,398,940 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 4:54:39 AM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse how many "average" folks can afford either one in this economy ??????????????
jimshell Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,838 Points:466,205 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 4:50:06 AM Ignore jimshell Report Abuse I would get a Volt before buying a Prius.
DrivingFool2 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:3,492 Points:650,490 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 4:46:09 AM Ignore DrivingFool2 Report Abuse My old car was getting 13 mpg while my new Prius is getting just over 50mpg. I do 30,000 miles a year. You do the math.
turbodog Champion Author Mississippi Posts:1,828 Points:392,125 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 4:45:21 AM Ignore turbodog Report Abuse On a second car, you are less likely to generate enough miles to achieve an adequate payback for initial higher investment.
zornave Champion Author Louisville Posts:13,887 Points:2,204,540 Joined:Jul 2001	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 4:43:31 AM Ignore zornave Report Abuse I might consider it as a second car.
Hunter724 Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:3,220 Points:672,170 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 4:41:24 AM Ignore Hunter724 Report Abuse No!!
pgerassi Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:5,969 Points:1,171,220 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 4:40:39 AM Ignore pgerassi Report Abuse The problem is that many of these hybrids and plug in electrics is that they are vastly overpriced and filled with options unneeded by normal users. A simple 10 mile range plug in electric hybrid only costs about $2,500. That would cover most commuters (75% IIRC) charging both at work and at home. That use discharges between 1 and 1.5KWH from the battery for that 10 mile commute (depends whether your route goes through the city or drive mostly highways and freeways, hilly or flat, curvy or straight). That costs between 14 to 22 cents (at a residential rate of 12 cents/KWH) each way. The typical compact commuter needs 0.4-0.5 gallons to go the same distance. Thus 250 work days times 2 ways times 18 cents equals $90 for the PHEV and $619 for the gasoline only car (@$2.75/gal). So one saves $529 on energy commuting. Add to that trips to town (school, city hall, stores, arenas, friends, etc) and you can save another $529. Then you should take into consideration the savings on engine maintenance like oil changes, tune-ups, radiator flushes and the like. So you save about $1,200/yr on the good enough PHEV. That means that it pays itself off in about 2 years.
twobroke61 Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,458 Points:624,035 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 4:37:30 AM Ignore twobroke61 Report Abuse can not afford too buy a new car sorry the answer is no
CruisinLinda Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:6,458 Points:1,293,150 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 4:29:48 AM Ignore CruisinLinda Report Abuse Funny how some people buy gas guzzlers and big trucks and SUVs and don't complain about the $40k or so, the probable cost of an EV--and get no gas savings or pleasure of protecting the environment with a zero-emission vehicle. The figures in the post factors in gas at $2.50 per gallon. The price now is approaching $3 and expected higher, which makes the EV at 1-2 cents per mile a lot more attractive than 12 cents per mile in a 25-mpg gas-only vehicle. Even my gas-only Prius can get 50 mpg in the city with expressways at 60-65 mph as well as on highways. That cuts the cost to 6 cents per mile at $3 per gallon, and the gas price will rise higher.
HawaiianGuy Champion Author Idaho Posts:4,611 Points:2,114,395 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 4:28:01 AM Ignore HawaiianGuy Report Abuse Not me. I'm going diesel for my next vehicle.
Amplion Champion Author Oregon Posts:1,543 Points:893,945 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 4:27:36 AM Ignore Amplion Report Abuse NO !!!!
FASTR1 Champion Author Michigan Posts:5,280 Points:840,545 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 4:26:07 AM Ignore FASTR1 Report Abuse hmmm, my car is almost paid off, would it be worth it to blow another $30,000+ on a new car? Nope, I don't think so.
fratt Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:4,954 Points:1,672,180 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 4:21:51 AM Ignore fratt Report Abuse I can't afford to buy either one.
bobdec Champion Author Florida Posts:4,289 Points:840,600 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 4:11:51 AM Ignore bobdec Report Abuse I would not buy either
72_Monte Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,835 Points:1,026,705 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 4:00:00 AM Ignore 72_Monte Report Abuse Somewhere, over the rainbow...
jimraehl Champion Author Utah Posts:2,192 Points:671,590 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 3:57:30 AM Ignore jimraehl Report Abuse This is a moot issue for many Americans. They can't afford to buy a new car.
uptherefiners Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,167 Points:273,975 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 3:29:49 AM Ignore uptherefiners Report Abuse Hybrids? Whataya...nuts??