are hybrid cars worth it

In your opinion? I'm talking even hybrid suvs?

Re: are hybrid cars worth it

In what aspect?

If you are trying to save the planet, then no. Over the lifespan of the vehicle, the Prius does more damage to the planet than a Land Rover.

If you're buying a new vehicle anyway, and deciding between a hybrid version and a non-hybrid, it really comes down to the extra cost of the hybrid technology, and how long it would take to recoup the cost.

If a hybrid costs $10k more, and gets 40 MPG vs 30 for the non-hybrid, at $4/gallon, it takes 2500 gallons to break even, so it would be around 100,000 miles when you would break even.

Re: are hybrid cars worth it

Re: are hybrid cars worth it

Well we have a prius and an suv...and right now its a LOT nicer to fill up the prius than the suv!

Re: are hybrid cars worth it

We have a Prius and LOVE it. Definitely worth it to us! I fill up after 350-400 miles and it only takes about 8-9 gallons at each fill up. I'd probably get even better gas mileage if I wasn't such a lead foot

We leased it last year and as of now I want another one when our lease is up.

ETA: When we were looking for a new car, we priced out the Civic (LX which is the mid-level), the Honda Insight (base level, hybrid), and the Prius Three (2nd level). They were all within 20/month to lease from each other. We chose the Prius because it had the most features (Bluetooth, controls on the steering wheel, etc.) for approx. the same amount of money.

Message edited 4/19/2011 9:41:54 PM.

Re: are hybrid cars worth it

Depends on how much you drive.

You have to estimate how much more $$ you will spend on the hybrid vs the gas version, how much you will save on gas, the cost of repair/parts on the hybrid.

So if you spend $5K more on the hybrid, save $100 per month on gas (pure speculation to show you an example)

$100 x 12 months = $1200 saving on gas per year

$5000 additional cost for getting an hybrid / $1200 = 4.16 years to break even (just based on car purchase and gas)

That's not counting the electricity cost to recharge them.


As far as the environment, I have not heard yet of a disposal plan on what will happen to all those battery cells when the batteries die. They won't last forever.

Re: are hybrid cars worth it

I just traded in my 08 Prius for a new one. My 08 was brand new when I got it in Feb 08 & had 86,000 miles when I traded it in. I replaced the tires once and never did any other repairs (not even brakes) just oil/filter changes. All of the BS with the recalls & media scare about brakes & accelerators was handled beautifully by Toyota IMO and that was a factor in my choice to buy another one.
I'm averaging 52 MPG on this tank of gas. I am a consultant and I have clients all over LI & NYC and I put over 20,000 miles per year on my car so my ROI is very good. Driving in the HOV alone is a huge benefit for me and another key reason I'm sticking with the Prius.

My DH has a work pick-up which now costs over $90 to fill, a sedan that takes super so we opt to use my car a lot.

I tend to be of the mindset that the Prius is worse than a Range Rover theory is a myth. I've been a treehugger since WAY before it was cool to be "green" and I've never really read anything concrete enough to convince me of that exact concept. My carbon footprint just for transportation would quadruple if I drove a range rover.

As for all of the battery recycling issues, it took almost 30 years to figure out how to recycle disposable diapers & water bottles, it will take time but I'm sure we can figure it out. Till then they can sit in a landfill next to the CF lightbulbs.

A new well equipped Prius is about $25,000. IMO that is not a super high price for such a safe, reliable, gas saving car. I normally keep my cars until they die-150,000+ miles depending on the car but I took the 08 prius in for an oil change in march & left with a brand new one because they offered me an obscene amount I couldn't resist for the 08. Toyota says with gas prices going up they know the used hybrids will be very desirable.


Prius' at this time do not get charged by electric from a power source, they create their own electric to power one motor.

I can't comment on other hybrids because I have no first hand experience with them.

Message edited 4/19/2011 8:48:10 PM.