bloke wrote:...but it's "dumb" for me to buy a used looks-like-new/runs-like-new "regular" car for $4000 that gets 30/35 mpg city/highway...
(Right now, I live 5 miles from work. Soon, I hope to live and work at the same place.)
bloke "Not seeing a lot of used hybrids for sale, and (frankly) feeling a bit shy from buy a used hybrid...Using a brand new hybrid, how long will it take (even at $3+/gal) for you 'save' the extra $15,000-$20,000 (plus financing interest)??...and how much for those replacement batteries?"
Car and Driver (IIRC) did the math and said you'd have to drive a Prius 600 miles a day every day in order to have the gas $ savings balance out buying a plain gas Corolla, which costs substantially less.
In addition, not only are the replacement costs for the batteries rediculously high, but no one has yet thought of a way to dispose of dead ones, which poses an environmental risk.
Not only that, but Toyota et. al. have recieved numerous complaints from people who have not been getting the advertised mileage. Yes, it is possible, but for the majority of drivers and their driving habits, you will not see the magical 50+ miles/gallon the promoters were proclaiming.
Given the now 50% increase in gas prices since that article was written, let's assume it only would take 400 miles a day to balance it out. Still a lot.
If you are willing to shell out the extra $ for a Prius just for the environmental benefits, kudos to you (assuming a battery disposal method has been found). I'm all for it. But the money savings aren't there.
Interestingly, while there's a waiting list for the Prius in most places, the lots are backed up with Civic and Accord hybrids. Why? They LOOK THE SAME as the base Civics and Accords. Seems the Prius sales are mostly either for the APPEARANCE tree-huggery or the individual styling of the car. At least our priorities are there.
