Top 5 Freeper Lies about Hybrids

[Taverner]

1 - If you buy a Hybrid, it will take over 20 years to make your money back.

Pure 100% BS. A Prius costs roughly $23K with a basic options package. Only $1000 more than a Camry. The Prius averages 50MPG and gets even better in the city, so you see an instant cash savings. True, battery replacement is expensive (about $5000) but companies are already gearing up to do refurbishing for about half that cost. Expect to see this infrastructure expand now that Hybrids are in huge demand.

Also, keep in mind the Prius only needs an oil change ever 5000 miles, and that engine maintnence is needed about half as often as on traditional gas models.

2 - Hybrids are ugly.

A Civic Hybrid looks like any other Civic, and the new Ford Escape looks like any other SUV. Hummer is coming out with a Hybrid soon, and personally I like the look of my Prius.



3 - Hybrids don't go as fast.

The Honda Insight takes off like a rocket, and rides like a sports car. The torque in an electric engine is much quicker than on gas models, and they are pretty speedy cars.

4 - Buying a Hybrid is anti-American. They build them in Japan, not here.

Ahhhh the pitfalls of a Republican administration. Toyota, seeing the demand for Hybrids, wanted to build a manufacturing plant in Fremont. However, they ran into all kinds of obstacles from the Republican congress and from pressure from big oil. Despite this, Toyota is still planning to build a plant in the next few years.

Besides, what's more American - driving a car that burns lots of gas, necesitating the need for foreign oil grabs and the death of US soldiers ("If you Drive alone, you drive with Bin Laden") or driving a Japanese manufactured car?

5 - SUV's and other more traditional cars are safer.

SUVs roll. Literally roll like dice when turned at high speeds. Trucks are not designed for massive highway use. Hummers are not designed with safety measures as well - they crunch like tin cans when in a high impact situation. Most hybrids come with side-impact airbags standard, and have the option of rear seat airbags.

[lenidog]

1. Actually I have never heard anyone of any political persuasion

say anything negative about hybrids. Though I do understand that Toyota is investigating stalling complaints in their hybrids but that would go along with any recall in a normal car.

[Balbus]

24. I'm with you...

Never knew there was a political issue one way or another about these cars...

:shrug:

[LostinVA]

26. That's ALL I've ever heard from any Republican I know when

I mention hybrids -- and have for several years. Except for my Dad -- he thinks something needs to be done about alternative fuel, although he;'s on the hydrogen bandwagon. He is, however, talking about getting a Prius for his company car next year. My Dad. The Bush Apologist. Crazy.

But, I've never heard anything positive about hybrids from any right-leaning person I know.

[cheezus]

2. if you get in a crash you get electrocuted

cuz there's power cables running all through the car


i've heard that one a lot

[purr]

5. Oh thats funny..

:rofl: Typical freepers..

[still_one]

10. actually the high voltage components shut off in a crash

not that anything couldn't happen, but a lot of things could happen with standard cars also

[jswordy]

14. The electricity shuts off in modern vehicles upon crashing..

In vehicles built in 2000/2001, it may only partially shut off to the fuel pump and other engine functions to prevent fire. But in all the 2005/2006 models of which I am aware, it shuts off everywhere on impact. There is a circuit breaker for that purpose.

[LostinVA]

27. I've heard that one, and that the battery will crush you from

behind if you get rear ended over 20 mph. From my Freeper BIL who owns two SUV's.

[Worst Username Ever]

3. SUVs

.. are more likely to get in an accident in the first place due to their weight and power. Once they get into an accident (which is more likely in the first place), they are more likely to injure or kill the occupants of the SUV because the accident is more likely to be serious (as you mentioned, they roll, flip, etc, and are more likely to go off the road altogether). And the icing on the cake is that, when an SUV gets in an accident (which is more likely, and more likely to be serious), it is more likely to kill or injure the occupants of the car it strikes, since they are so god awful heavy and harbor a LOT of potential energy.

It would be great if the roads were filled with compacts. Or better, bikes, haha.

[Hand]

12. One other reason...

People in SUVs are under the mistaken impression that they're bulletproof and consequently drive like... well, anyone stupid enough to think that they're bulletproof.

Bad karma department: Some years ago there was a big hooha in the news about the alarming number of catastrophic fatal SUV crashes resulting from their inherent rollover tendency. My stock response to anyone who brought it up was: "So... several hundred SUV drivers have been killed and their vehicles destroyed. Um... and the problem is...?"

:spank:

[orwell]

4. Battery Question

How often do you need to replace the batteries. Is it based on mileage or time?

[still_one]

9. From what I understand

the battery is made up of cells, so you only replace the bad cells, not the whole battery. It would be very unlikely for the whole battery to go out.

The waranty on the hybrid components is about 8 years or 100000 miles

I have 2001 and 2004, and have NOT had any issues with the battery

[orwell]

19. Thanks n/t

[Steph13]

42. Batteries

Here's some info about the Prius:

http://www.cars.com/carsapp/national?srv=parser&act=display&tf=/features/mvp/toyota/prius/prius_overview.tmpl

My brother bought the first model Prius out there (2001) and just recently sold it to my parents to use. My mom recently had to replace the battery, which cost about $300-$400. She was told they have 2 batteries.. a smaller one, and a bigger one. The smaller one goes first, and provides the power to the bigger one. The one that went in hers was the smaller one... but if the bigger one goes, it's thousands of dollars for that one. Otherwise, she loves the thing, and gets close to 50 mpg. (She keeps the screen on the mpg while she's driving & always checks to see where she's at.) I love it too, but just love the convenience and space my 4 Runner provides for moving things & for my dog. I would eventually think about getting a Prius (or look at other hybrids.. possibly Honda) but not until the prices start falling for those cars, and my 4 Runner just can't run no more. ;)

[still_one]

6. I have two prius cars

first generation and second generation

An associate told me that it is not worth it, and I will never make my money back.

Here is what I look at:

The Prius I bought replaced a Buick Century, (18 mpg), and a Ford Aerostart(12-15 mpg).

At a minimum, and coming from the two cars named above, I am saving about 2000 dollars a year. I live in California, and the Prius is exempt from the pollution certification. It has ultra low emissions

When I bought both cars there was an IRS deduction above the line of 2000 dollars for the hybrids

The reasons I bought it were the following:

1. Extremely clean car, good for the environment
2. Great gas mileage

The nayers can say what they want, but results in sales speak for themselves. Eventually the price will come down, but I would definitely recommend them

[DS1]

7. If FReepers were true capatalists/conservatives they'd

let the American Auto Industry die its almost inviteble death and make way for the better product.

[valis]

8. can we have a link and the names of these 5 top repubs?

[jswordy]

11. Among my many hats, I must closely watch the auto industry.

As part of my job, here are some interesting things I have learned about hybrids, apolitically:

1.) Any U.S. manufacturer who wants to build one will have to license the tech from Asian Rim companies. They got there first. Most U.S. manufacturers are actually buying the driveline parts from Asian countries for planned launches.

2.) On the cost of a Prius, lots of dealers are adding up to $5,000 premiums on top of the MSRP (depending on where you live, it is $1,000 to $5,000), so the price you quoted will, uh, likely be slightly higher on purchase.

3.) You mention oil changes at 5,000 miles. That is less than the range recommended for some traditional cars. Other expenses of maintenance will be higher. The battery packs are very expensive to replace, even to refurbish, and the complex circuitry and computers can be pricey to fix. (My biggest personal qualm -- you gotta pony up $3 grand for refurbed batteries or $5 Gs for new when they go...or you go nowhere. There's no limping it along while you save up to fix it.) The start-stop nature of the engine puts stresses on the starter system and on the engine itself that continuous running does not. So all's not in on the costs to keep one, they haven't gotten old enough to really see what reliability will be yet. Might be great, might not.

4.) There have been a noticeable number of consumer complaints to the U.S. government that the actual mpg is significantly lower than advertised.

5.) Gas mileage of the Prius is real good. But a number of small cars built since 1990 can get great mileage with traditional powerplants, and still be fun to drive.

I am really interested in the reviews emerging now of the new Toyota '06 Highlander...it's first SUV with hybrid technology. Watching them closely. The demand is high for this sort of technology right now among "first adapters," to use marketing lingo. It will be interesting to see how much demand remains if gas prices fall.

[Ernesto]

17. Point # 2 & reality

My wife has been driving her Prius for less than 2 weeks. I paid $21,900 ($165 below MSRP) for it. There was a 1 week wait to get her color choice.

[Beaverhausen]

31. I also paid no "premium" for mine two weeks ago

and about #4- all cars get lower mileage than the EPA rating.

[LostinVA]

32. Neither did my neighbor -- $21k about two months ago n/t

[TreasonousBastard]

20. Coupla points...

Most of what you say is right on, but the mileage thing is a bad rap. EPA numbers are set high on all cars, and nobody gets the mileage they expect.

Battery prices will come down with expanded production, although maybe by not so much.

The hybrid Mazda/Ford Escape has been around for a while. Toyota's is probably more advanced, though. Even GM came out with a hybrid truck last year, but it's a pig.

In my own case, I can't afford any new car right now, but if I could, my Saturn LS1 with the Italian "Million Mile" four in it DOES give me a real 35+ mpg on the highway, and I average around 30. So, I dump the Saturn for 5 grand tops and get a Prius for over 30 grand after a 6 month or so wait and the "ADP" added to the sticker.

Aside from feeling good about helping save the planet, which would be nice, how long is is going to take to get back my 25 grand saving maybe 5-10 MPG at best?

If I were actually in the market for a new car, instead of saving real money buying used for cash, I might look closer at a VW TDI wagon with more room for much less than a hybrid, and get my 40+MPG on overpriced diesel.

[Terran]

22. I've read here at DU that hybrid mileage isn't as good as advetised.

I don't about the Prius specifcially, but I believe one is normally looking at 40-45 city, not 50. Still, it's an improvement.

I still want my solar-powered hovercar.

[LostinVA]

28. My neighbor owns a Prius and gets an average of 59 mpg n/t

[Terran]

30. *Really*?? Wow.

My next car will be a hybrid, I hope, but that gives me some real hope that the genre is here to stay (at least until fully electric cars become widely availbale). Do you think it's just the Prius, or do they all do that well?

[LostinVA]

34. I'm buying a Civic Hybrid in Aug or Sept

I posted on here a few weeks ago asking for info from people who owned the Civic, and they all seem to be getting close to 50. The Civic is cheaper, and even that will be as much as I can afford.

[4_Legs_Good]

36. We have a Civic hybrid

and it gets generally about 45 MPG. It could be better if we drove more "carefully".

My Insight used to get a solid 64MPG, but is down to maybe 54MPG now, as it's got 100,000 miles on it and I'm far less careful now than I used to be. (by careful, I mean driving more slowly, and trying to actively save gas).

david

[LostinVA]

40. I'm on of those people who usually drive "careful,"

So that makes me happy to hear that!

[Ernesto]

46. The civic is only $490 cheaper on MSRP.

Prius is a "true hybrid", Civic is not.
Prius power train warranty: 5yr/60,000 miles, Cvic: 3yr/36,000.
Prius battery warranty: 8yrs/100,000 miles, Civic: 8/80,000.
Prius torque: 295#, Civic:110.
Prius EPA mileage: 60/51, Civic: 48/47.
Nuff said?
(No I don't sell Toyotas: I just do my research on investments.)

[Orsino]

56. 56 mpg here.

There didn't seem to be a "break-in" period so much as a learning curve. I've retrained myself, and am driving more carefully to maximize mileage. Drive a Prius like you do an ordinary car, and the mileage might not match EPA numbers, but the vehicle gives excellent feedback.

When I drive my wife's hybrid Accord, i get better mileage (34) than she does, too.

[Maat]

23. There's the Ford Escape ... of a small SUV-ish style.

[Kathleen04]

37. Also..

The new Lexus RX 400 is a hybrid version of their SUV.

I'm really hoping Honda will make a hybrid version of their CRV, cause I'd make that my next car.

[Maat]

45. I had one of those CRV's - pre-hybrid.

And then my hubby bought me a minivan.

My eight-year-old has never forgiven me for giving it up.

[eyesroll]

13. Another counter-argument to #1 -- they don't depreciate nearly as fast

as most other cars...

Sometimes, you'll find a year-old Prius going for more than a new one.

[LostinVA]

29. Correct. Check ebay

Crazy auctions on used Priuses -- $25k+.

[Madrone]

15. I really want a Prius.

If I could afford TWO cars - I'd have one! Unfortunately, when the time came early this year to buy my first ever new car I had to go with 4-wheel drive and hauling capability. :(

I STILL really want a Prius.

[dbonds]

16. My next car will be a hybrid.

Not sure on which one yet.

[Semi_subversive]

18. I like the Prius

I don't own one, yet, but have driven one. We bought a 2004 Prius for the CA Insurance Commissioner. I picked it up at the dealership in Davis and drove it back to Sacto. I was impressed at how quickly it got up to 70 mph, these things are not slugs. The warranty on the engine is 100,000 miles and 150,000 miles on the batteries. $5,000 for replacement every 150K is not bad. Our price was about $22,000 without a lot of frills (not the package with GPS and 6-disk CD changer).

[Wapsie B]

21. I remember distinctly

that in '00 repugs were screaming about how Al was going to take away our cars and gasoline engines of all kinds.

[Orsino]

55. The finite supply of petroleum...

...and Japanese ingenuity will accomplish that.

[ronnykmarshall]

25. Even my republican in-laws agree .... Hybrids rock!

My partner's parents are very conservative politcally, but his dad totally agreed with me when I said my next car would be a Hybrid.

[JVS]

33. Good points, but your #1 is a bit sketchy

The Prius is really not like the Camry, I'd say it compares more closely with either the Corolla or the Echo, both of which are much cheaper. The reason that I have no plans to buy a hybrid in the near future is that I've yet to see how these cars age and keep running. For this reason I'd rather buy a honda civic or another low end compact that is pretty efficient and not have to worry about maintenence on a 16 year old early hybrid in the future.

[4_Legs_Good]

35. The batteries are likely an environmental disaster!!!!!!!!!!

I had my neighbor's wingnut father approach me on that one the other day. Hilarious, he's an arch conservative and tells me he doesn't care about how much gas it saves because he's concerned about the environment.

I had to laugh like hell.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

I own a Honda Insight and a Honda Civic Hybrid. Best cars EVER!

david

[catzies]

38. Heard on NPR today hybrid Camrys are coming & will be built in Kentucky

n/t

[Kathleen04]

49. Toyota probably needs

the hybrid Camry to keep in competition w/ Honda's already on the market hybrid Accord.

[catzies]

51. If the Camry hyrbrid is a 6-cyl then it matches up w/the Accord

Unless/until Honda makes a 4-cyl hybrid Accord. Right now the 6-cyl is the only one (Accord). Their 4-cyl is the Civic, which would equate to Toyota Corolla.

[Wilber_Stool]

39. Why does a hybrid have to pay for itself

and other cars don't?

[LostinVA]

41. That's what I always wonder! Can't you just be buying it

Because it uses less gas?

[Beaverhausen]

48. and because it puts out nearly zero emissions

That is the environmental reason I feel best about. I'm not adding to the smog here in LA!

[Orsino]

54. That's why I wanted the Prius.

Not because the gas savings would were going to pay the difference between its cost and that of, say, a Corolla (with which it shares an engine), but because I wanted to help lead the way to lower fuel consumption and emissions.

[prole_for_peace]

43. i work with some people who STILL thought they need plugging

in. they thought that until i, maybe too loudly and annoyed sounding, informed them of the truth.

[Kolesar]

44. I would like to see your data for #1

What is the payoff period, then? And, I have an expectation that Toyota sells the Camry with a giant margin (such that Toyotas get for their perceived quality), and that the Prius sells with a modest margin for "long term" reasons such as goodwill and corporate image.

[Kerrytravelers]

47. I will be bookmarking this for future reference. Thanks.

[48pan]

50. Sorry but...

#2 and #3 are true.

My motorcycle gets better mileage and the battery only costs $50.

A regular Civic gets 38 MPG and costs less than $15,000. Hybrids aren't ready yet.

[kick-ass-bob]

52. You are comparing a motorcycle to a car???

All motorcycles get better mileage than cars - they are about 1/5 the weight!

#2 is in the eye of the beholder.

[scarpa43]

53. The oil change reason is not so strong....

To be honest I did not know this until recently, but check your owners manual for the recommended oil change schedule, the 3,000 mile rule has been thrown out.
My brother has a 2005 Honda Accord, the owners manual recommeds changing the oil every 15,000 miles. I have a 1997 Accord and it recommends changing every 7,500 miles.

I have heard that with today's more efficient engines and better oils available engines need much less maintainance than in the past.

If you have a fairly new car, look at your manual and check it out.

[Ian David]

57. I love my Prius!

Hess: 98% Democrat


Sonic: 100% Democrat


Arby's: 56% Democrat