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No you cannot have a hybrid just because gas is $4.34

July 7th, 2008 at 02:00 pm

DH is succumbing to the masses and thinking if he trades in his car for a hybrid it would be better financially.

WRONG. First off, he has a 2003 VW GTI which is not a gas guzzler. BUT it requires Premium gas because of the engine. So it costs $50 approximately to fill it up in today's market. We owe under $13K on it and it will be paid off in 2 1/2 years after paying $435/mo on it.

He keeps trying to say "Maybe we should look into a hybrid" but I just tell him "Pay off the VW and that $435 is suddenly opened up to pay for gas, vs buying a hybrid for $25K-$30K and then you have a car payment and STILL have to pay for gas"... I can guarantee the savings wouldn't be $435, and considering the longest he's ever kept a car is 3 years... I think paying off the VW is the best financial route.

Now, if we were in the market for a new car in the first place... then it'd be another story but to go out and buy a hybrid JUST for the gas savings doesn't really make much sense.

3 Responses to “No you cannot have a hybrid just because gas is $4.34”

  1. monkeymama Says:
    1215437589

    I know what you mean. My dh thinks he wants a hybrid for our next car. But we paid $8k for his car and it gets 40mpg. & now there are some very nice foreign subcompacts on the market.

    So I am just not sold. I know we can get a practically new Toyota that gets 40mpg, in the $10k range. & I am stoked we have more choices than Ford for next time. So the hybrid just doesn't seem very appealing to me.

    As an aside, we have hired 3 temps and a new college grad during the last few months. Every single last one drove a Prius. Egads!!!! When I was their age I was driving a 20-year old toyota. LOL. I just can't believe the car payments young people take on. But they think they are so eco-friendly I guess. Big Grin

  2. scfr Says:
    1215441191

    I've had a similar conversation with my mother. A couple of her friends got hybrids, and all of a sudden she thinks it's her duty as a grandma to drive a hybrid to save the environment. (I think it's just peer pressure, but trying telling her that.) I reminded her that SOMEONE is going to drive her existing car (a Honda Accord, so not the best but also not a real gas-guzzler), so it might as well be her, especially since a new car is most definitely NOT in her budget right now. Fortunately, at least for now, she has seen the light and is keeping her car. Thankfully, her trusted mechanic backed up my thinking.

  3. Broken Arrow Says:
    1215442184

    Yes, very well said.

    I just don't understand the current hybrid's appeal. It sounds great until you realize that the batteries have a limited shelf life, are hazardous waste, and regenerative braking does not work well on the highway. Not to mention the price.

    I maintain that fuel-efficient compact cars are still the best bang for the buck. Seriously, Honda Civic.

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