How to Buy Hybrid Cars and Hybrid Automobiles
Buying a hybrid – what to do
This is a great time to buy a hybrid vehicle – the planet needs cleaner cars, the cost of fuel is going through the roof, and there’s finally a meaningful selection of different vehicles on the market. Here are the top five things you need to consider when you make your choice!
1. How much do you drive?
Before anything else, work out how much driving you do. Look at your existing car’s odometer, or if you don’t have a car right now, look at the commute or other driving you anticipate doing. Use this information to figure out how much you’d spend on gas with a regular car, and then compare it with the gas mileage from the different hybrid models.
For example, if you drive 15,000 miles a year and you go for a Honda Civic Hybrid, you’re looking at about 45mpg. That’s about 350 gallons of gas, or $1400 a year to run the car. Compare that with the average mileage of about 20mpg, and you might be saving as much as $2000 a year by switching to a hybrid.
2. What do you need the car for?
Of course, this is something you want to ask yourself about any car. Is it just for you to drive to work and run around on the weekends? Pick a compact model with great fuel economy. Got a big family or live an active lifestyle? Then look at one of the new SUV models that save money and emissions but don’t cramp your style.
As well as mileage, consider where you do most of your driving. If you spend a lot of time on the highway you’re inevitably going to be using the regular combustion engine, so focus on that rather than one how well the electric system works. But if you’re in the city and spend a lot of time in traffic, then good battery power and the ability to quickly start and stop the combustion engine will be much more important.
3. How long has the model been on the market?
There’s two things to bear in mind here. One is money: you get a tax rebate from the government for buying a hybrid, but the longer the car has been on the market, the lower the rebate. Why? The idea was to give people an incentive to buy hybrids in order to get the market moving. But some hybrid cars, like the Toyota Prius, have been out for a while and built well-established brands. Buying a newer model – for example, a Saturn Aura – will save you more money because the government is trying to encourage competition in the hybrid marketplace.
The other factor is the same as with any other car – experience or new technology? A hybrid car that’s been out for a few years has already proved itself by meeting the needs of motorists and consistently saving the money. This year’s new models are exciting and the automakers are full of great promises – but do they deliver? That’s something you’ll have to decide for yourself.
4. How much do you have to spend?
When you first look at hybrid prices, be prepared for some sticker shock. They do cost more – the old internal combustion engine has had a real overhaul, they have a brand new electric engine, and new battery technology very different from the old lead-acid batteries we’ve had until now. All that research and development cost big bucks, and now the automakers are passing the cost on to you.
So what you need to do is look at the price of the car, then balance that against the tax break you can get for buying it and the amount of money you expect to save on fuel. It might be worth paying $5000 more for a car if you’re going to get $2000 back from the IRS and save another $1000 a year on gas – after you’ve had the car for 3 years, you’ll have paid off the extra investment and be enjoying the benefits of lower fuel consumption.
But, like any investment, think carefully before you put down your hard-earned cash. And if you opt to buy the car with finance, think extra hard – look at the incentives from the dealer and check the interest rates and the fine print. Rates are low right now and it could be a great time to buy, but you’ll always pay more if you use finance than if you pay cash.
5. Which one is best for the planet?
It might seem funny to put this last, because it’s one of the best reasons to drive a hybrid. But there’s no use in buying a car that doesn’t meet your needs – a car meant for city driving may not save much gas or pollution if you’re out on the highway all the time. If that’s the case, your investment will be wasted.
Fuel economy is the main strength of hybrid cars. But you can get a lot of fuel economy by keeping your tires at the right pressure, keeping your windows closed on the highway, and having your wheels balanced. Your driving style matters too – keeping your speed below 50 may not be a big thrill, but it’ll save you big bucks at the pump. And planning your trips better or even hooking up with a neighbor and carpooling will save the most of all.
Remember, a hybrid reduces your impact on the environment, but the biggest difference you can make is in the way you drive. If you can’t afford a hybrid, you can still change your driving to save the planet and reduce your gas bill. And if you do get a bybrid, don’t treat the technology as a license to be a new kind of road hog!
