Yep. I shouldn't complain. I just can't bring myself to sell it!
$75 To Fill Up The Burb!
- Thread starter RiverOtter
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I about fainted the last time I filled up. So I decided to look into getting a hybrid. I compared equally equipped Highlander LTD versus Highlander Hybrid LTD. For a 60-month purchase, the difference in monthly payment is $155. Assuming that I drive 15,000 miles a year, the price of gas would have to go up to $15.44 a gallon for me to save money with the hybrid. Am I missing something here? That just doesn't sound right.
One could quibble on the assumptions a bit (most new vehicles are designed to function without major repair for at least 100,000 miles these days and most folks put more that 15K miles per year on a primary vehicle), but generally the point is on the mark - the substantial cost premium for a hybrid offsets any savings in reduced fuel expenses. From what I've read though, the hybrid Highlander out-performs its gas-only cousin...Beach Runner said:
You're right about the assumptions. My car isn't primary - it's 3-1/2 years old and just hit 30,000 miles. Even if I factor in a four-year lease (rather than purchase) which I typically do since I get new-car fever every 3-4 years, the hybrid doesn't pay off.OhioBeachBum said:
It really just depends on how much you drive it, and how long you own it. We would probably buy a used one (depreciation value is ridiculous for vehicles) and keep it long after it's been paid off. In that case I think it would be worth the expense (of the vehicle AND any battery replacements - which can cost $1000-$3000).
Ok, here it's. I say the best way to deal w/ the oil scarcity problem, is do what others do when they want to ruin a "problem" group -OPEC. Take away their money! Cancel the flying bomb project{space shuttle}, spend the money on a Manhattan Project for alternative fuels/technologies, keep driving our SUVs on hydrogen/fuel cell/God Knows what, and give the collective finger to a part of the world that has been a never-ending hellhole as long as I've been alive. The only thing that Pres. Carter said that I couldn't argue with , way back in the late 70's, was that we need to be independent of foreign oil by 2000! Of course, I could be wrong.OhioBeachBum said:
I dunno about that, but my husband pointed out another fact that I hadn't considered with hybrids. If I understood him correctly, one gets a nice tax write-off for buying a hybrid. I hadn't factored that into my calculations. Nevertheless, I'd have to drive a boatload of miles, and gas would have to cost a boatload of money, and I'd have to keep the car longer than my preferred 3-4 years to save money by buying a hybrid. But aren't there environmental savings for *THE PLANET EARTH* that I'm not factoring in?
Hey, this is clearly not my area of expertise. I just need to decide on which car I'm going to buy when my lease runs out.
Hey, this is clearly not my area of expertise. I just need to decide on which car I'm going to buy when my lease runs out.
Beach Runner said:
There is also resale value to figure in. But I agree, if you are only going to keep it a few years, it might not prove financially profitable. However, if you do decide to get one, and have had it the standard 3-4 years, call me and we'll talk.
I nearly keeled over this afternoon when I got in my car and saw that teenage son had run it dry (so what else is new under the sun??). After driving a few blocks on fumes I had to finally pull into the gas station.
Here in Indianapolis, it was $2.69 a gallon, no matter what station you went to. (I should know; I looked all over the place.)
My measly $15 gave me a few gallons over a quarter of a tank. Next car is going to be a hybrid!
Now where'd I put my walking shoes?
Here in Indianapolis, it was $2.69 a gallon, no matter what station you went to. (I should know; I looked all over the place.)
My measly $15 gave me a few gallons over a quarter of a tank. Next car is going to be a hybrid!
Now where'd I put my walking shoes?
Okay, I've decided. I'm getting an E320 CDI - 37 mpg highway. I'll just have to ignore truck drivers at the truckstops and keep mace in my pocket as a backup. Been there, done that. My Mom had a Mercedes diesel during the Jimmy Carter gas crisis - her CB radio call name was "Lady Mercedes," and she had to deal with the problem of intimidation. Nothing against truck drivers, BTW, so I don't mean to offend anyone. Two of my uncles did that for a living.