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[imported_Allen_TreadwayParticipant]

I’m wondering if any of you have had experience with the new, fuel efficient hybrid cars.  My wife is expressing a desire for one, and I admit I am intrigued by the concept.  While they seem to be getting good reviews in the press, I’d be interested in reading some real-life experiences.

Allen Treadway

[Anonymous]

see my post Allen   ;D

[imported_gail_in_caParticipant]

We’ve got a 2005 Prius with 94,000 miles (that’s not a typo!) We’ve had absolutely no problem with it, but my cousin needed to replace his battery sometime after 100,000 miles which cost a few thousand dollars. We’ll see if our car follows his pattern.

The car is great fun to drive, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone considering a hybrid!

[imported_refuge821Participant]

I have two friends with a Prius.  One has over 100k miles on hers and has not had to replace anything.  The battery did go dead in her driveway [the one that makes all the other stuff work – not the regular battery it has] and her husband charged it.  No problem since.

Another friend has less miles and her car stopped on a bridge with all the lights going off.  It was this same battery problem.  She was towed in and they had to put a new one is they told her, which they did for over $400.

Seems there's some misrepresentation out there if these batteries can be charged … or if there's a price difference between $438 and “a few thousand dollars.”

[imported_wb5jaz]

i have a 2008 honda civic hybrid. the first 5000 i kept track of the gal and miles and got 47.3 (by calculation). at the time, i drove abt 60% on 2 lane hwy, 20% in town, and 20% interstate.
MPG is best at speeds below 65. on interstates at 70 the instantenous milage indicator indicates abt 42.
my current millage is 55000. mine just assist with the electric. i have had it go total electric at abt 40 mph on level ground for abt 1/2 mile.
you loose a small area behind the back seat where the battery pack is located. i believe they total abt 170V and operate a motor/gen located abt where a clutch would be on anyother car. there is a 12v under the hood that is used for the acc. the engine has a alt on it to operate the lights etc.
the viehicle starts using the motor/gen.
when u stop and have it in gear and have ur foot on the brake, and the battery pack is not low, the engine has no gasoline supplied and the valves are put in a closed position (i think) but is keep running by the motor. that keeps water circulating for u and the engine. also keeps the a/c operating.
i like the car. plenty of acceleration because it uses both gas and elec to accelerate. brakes are assisted by the motor turning to a gen. somewhere around 5mph while stopping, the gen cuts out and u have to apply a little more brake. in short, u can feel a little lunge.

[imported_sheryl_baverParticipant]

I am also thinking of getting one..To save more on gas and try to help on our environmental problems.. :)

But I have read that it has sticking pedals problems with is very common to hybrid cars..

[Anonymous]

I suggest you avoid purchasing a hybrid unless you have alot of stop and go traffic.  Even then, I think you are long-term better off buying a non-hybrid if you are talking the Prius size.  Hybrids don't make sense if you drive alot of highway. 

Do the math.  Compare hybrid vehicle cost to non-hybrid in similar size vehicle.  Decide how long you intend to own it.  Find out from a dealer or mechanic when the batteries normally go out and how much that repair bill costs.  Add that to your vehicle cost.  For that reason, I would not buy a used one since battery life is already counted against the value (unless you prorate a knock down in price accordingly).  Concerning future battery replacement costs — you'll either pay it someday or it will come off the value when you sell it.  Figure out your yearly mileage driven.  Compare gallons saved using a hybrid versus regular gas rig.  Then do the math and see if it really is worth it. 

I think in the coming years we will see the design foolishness of building cars that undergo many engine stop/start cycles in any given trip, unless such applications involve engine pre-oilers (which I don't think any do from the factory).  I've read stats that say 50% of all engine wear comes from starting it, until engine oil pressure comes up.  So hybrid owners might not only see high battery replacement costs, but also engines that don't last as long as non-hybrid vehicles.  I don't think the engine controls on a hybrid allow easy interface with pre-oilers, since these oilers involve tying in a solenoid to the ignition switch. 

For those readers who have an almost religious affection to things that are “green”, I posit that “MONEYis a resource too”.  And for everyone (except congress), this resource is in short supply!  (Sorry, I had to add that!)

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