hybrid cars and regular gas cars pros and cons.

**kris23** · Jul 19, 2007, 06:01 AM

hey dudes, well my sister is going to get a new car soon, and i want to know if anyone knows any particular drawbacks to hybrid cars, pros to them and the same for gas cars

the thing is that my mom wants to get her this toyota hybrid with not much to it, while she wants this older model with leather interior, navigation system, sun roof, and spoiler.

the cars for the most part, are the same price.

at first i was all for the hybrid but then ive been hearing from my aunt that she says people dont feel any difference with them at higher speeds..... and now my sister is someone that goes like 80mph on the freeway so yea....

i am here trying to find a good argument against the hybrid cars and to see if the costs are justified

basically, i want information on the pros and cons of the hybrid and gas cars...

ferret2004 · Jul 19, 2007, 07:24 AM

I think hybrids are over-rated and over priced. I would look into a car with a diesel engine before I would a hybrid.

CDsDontBurn · Jul 19, 2007, 08:32 AM

the problem about hybrid cars are two things, the price of the car, and the car's batteries.

economy: sure, the hybrid gets better gas mileage than any standard octane engine goes, but the price of the car in terms of monthly payments vs. time and money spent at the tank, cancel each other out when you go to purchase a lower priced, fuel efficient vehicle. there won't be any advantages to having a hybrid car until after the car is paid off. and for most people, that means 5 to 6 years depending on the loan. however, by that time, the car will likely be needing to have its batteries replaced. then, since batteries are an electrical component of the car, and we all know electronics are expensive, those batteries would probably cost just as much as a new engine or transmission. So, a hybrid car will last you a long time, AND still end up costing you the same amount of money, or if not, more than that of your conventional piston engine vehicle.

JohnDoe47 · Jul 19, 2007, 12:13 PM

Volkswagon Lupo 1.4 Diesel gives you 70MPG
Volkswagon Lupo 1.4 Petrol gives you 40MPG

The diesel is very efficient and obviously not as fast as the petrol, however the diesel has a little something called torque (which means it has power where it counts i.e. at motorway speeds) thus having to change gear less often.

If you want torque and ULTRA fuel economy at a cheeeaaaapppp price then get the Lupo Diesel, much more efficient and cheaper than ANY hybrid car. Even the Petrol Lupo is efficient for what it is!

AND its a Volkswagen (German Engineering at its best), much more reliable than any American or British car.

Zelig · Jul 19, 2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick0323

AND its a Volkswagen (German Engineering at its best), much more reliable than any American or British car.

Except VW doesn't sell the Lupo, nor it's replacement, the Fox, in North America.

Ford and GM also sell more fuel efficient versions of their vehicle models only outside of North America.

Also, although reliability might be great, at least in my area, most mechanics are next to useless with VW cars, making getting them to a dealer and dealer service significantly more expensive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kris23

the thing is that my mom wants to get her this toyota hybrid with not much to it, while she wants this older model with leather interior, navigation system, sun roof, and spoiler.

Your mom's got the right idea, leather seats and a navigation system aren't going to help when the car gets too expensive to maintain years sooner than a newer model would.

JohnDoe47 · Jul 19, 2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zelig

Except VW doesn't sell the Lupo, nor it's replacement, the Fox, in North America.

Ford and GM also sell more fuel efficient versions of their vehicle models only outside of North America.

Also, although reliability might be great, at least in my area, most mechanics are next to useless with VW cars, making getting them to a dealer and dealer service significantly more expensive.

Then get it imported, even with import it would still work out to be cheaper than a ToGAYto Prius

and its still more efficient. VW engines are a piece of cake, they are so cheap to fix hence why the Polo is now the new morris minor. The Lupo is a cheaper make of the Polo

Nor does Ford sell Mustangs in England yet i've seen plenty about :P

ferret2004 · Jul 19, 2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zelig

Except VW doesn't sell the Lupo, nor it's replacement, the Fox, in North America.

Ford and GM also sell more fuel efficient versions of their vehicle models only outside of North America.

Also, although reliability might be great, at least in my area, most mechanics are next to useless with VW cars, making getting them to a dealer and dealer service significantly more expensive.

Your mom's got the right idea, leather seats and a navigation system aren't going to help when the car gets too expensive to maintain years sooner than a newer model would.

Right on about the mechanics. I've got a VW that has been sitting in my driveway broken down while I save to have it hauled away on a flatbed truck to a VW dealer 70 miles away. No local mechanics can or will work on it.

Sandok · Jul 19, 2007, 04:53 PM

I dunno the Pruis is a decent car if you do care for quiet and all... Plus they last forever!

400k!

MrSpock2002 · Jul 19, 2007, 07:45 PM

Get a Diesel VW Passat.

Sandok · Jul 19, 2007, 08:21 PM

Just wait for hybrid diesels from Citroen / Renault...

**kris23** · Jul 20, 2007, 12:13 AM

well..... i dont think she will choose from any other cars so i dont think i can get any other models, but you all make a good point...

i found out that hybrid cars are only useful at up to 40mph... so pretty much no driving outside the city or gas wil be used...

then theres the batteries, replacing them all does cost alot and that may be more often than replacing an engine as they will also be worn out during usage and recharging...

another thing is they having two engines and a battery bank is heavier and would require more energy to get moving so thats not good....

the added electronics also would require maintaining and that probably costs alot and so on.....

and lastly the savings arent that great....

CDsDontBurn · Jul 20, 2007, 03:22 PM

@ spock & Sandok: Diesel cars are no longer available here in the US.

Sandok · Jul 20, 2007, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDsDontBurn

@ spock & Sandok: Diesel cars are no longer available here in the US.

Why? I mean, if they have a particle filter, you got a clean fuel efficient vehicale... And modern Euro diesels are virtually silent too...

CDsDontBurn · Jul 21, 2007, 01:49 PM

i dunno why, i just know that's how it works here.

H3X4D3C1M4L · Jul 25, 2007, 06:19 PM

Here in Canada we can get the TDI and other diesel VW's. Besides that diesel is often cheaper here in Canada too.

Chrysler is also releasing a new Jeep Liberty with a 3.0L V6 diesel (not sure how much HP/TQ it produces but I'm sure it will be comparable to the standard V6 that comes with it, if not better) that makes 24MPG city/31MPG highway (according to the billboard I saw). Though to me that doesn't seem all that great.

CDsDontBurn · Jul 26, 2007, 03:24 AM

dude, 24/31 MPG is awesome gas mileage for ANY SUV. why wouldn't that be all that great when most get 24MPG highway at best?

Jul 19, 2007, 06:01 AM	#1
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,018 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	hybrid cars and regular gas cars pros and cons. hey dudes, well my sister is going to get a new car soon, and i want to know if anyone knows any particular drawbacks to hybrid cars, pros to them and the same for gas cars the thing is that my mom wants to get her this toyota hybrid with not much to it, while she wants this older model with leather interior, navigation system, sun roof, and spoiler. the cars for the most part, are the same price. at first i was all for the hybrid but then ive been hearing from my aunt that she says people dont feel any difference with them at higher speeds..... and now my sister is someone that goes like 80mph on the freeway so yea.... i am here trying to find a good argument against the hybrid cars and to see if the costs are justified basically, i want information on the pros and cons of the hybrid and gas cars... __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Jul 19, 2007, 08:32 AM	#3
CDsDontBurn Lurking DriverHeaven Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,779 Rep Power: 235 System Specs	the problem about hybrid cars are two things, the price of the car, and the car's batteries. economy: sure, the hybrid gets better gas mileage than any standard octane engine goes, but the price of the car in terms of monthly payments vs. time and money spent at the tank, cancel each other out when you go to purchase a lower priced, fuel efficient vehicle. there won't be any advantages to having a hybrid car until after the car is paid off. and for most people, that means 5 to 6 years depending on the loan. however, by that time, the car will likely be needing to have its batteries replaced. then, since batteries are an electrical component of the car, and we all know electronics are expensive, those batteries would probably cost just as much as a new engine or transmission. So, a hybrid car will last you a long time, AND still end up costing you the same amount of money, or if not, more than that of your conventional piston engine vehicle. __________________ Her First Day \| A year later

Jul 19, 2007, 12:13 PM	#4
JohnDoe47 HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 319 Rep Power: 0	Volkswagon Lupo 1.4 Diesel gives you 70MPG Volkswagon Lupo 1.4 Petrol gives you 40MPG The diesel is very efficient and obviously not as fast as the petrol, however the diesel has a little something called torque (which means it has power where it counts i.e. at motorway speeds) thus having to change gear less often. If you want torque and ULTRA fuel economy at a cheeeaaaapppp price then get the Lupo Diesel, much more efficient and cheaper than ANY hybrid car. Even the Petrol Lupo is efficient for what it is! AND its a Volkswagen (German Engineering at its best), much more reliable than any American or British car. Last edited by JohnDoe47; Jul 19, 2007 at 12:23 PM.

Jul 20, 2007, 12:13 AM	Thread Starter #11
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,018 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	well..... i dont think she will choose from any other cars so i dont think i can get any other models, but you all make a good point... i found out that hybrid cars are only useful at up to 40mph... so pretty much no driving outside the city or gas wil be used... then theres the batteries, replacing them all does cost alot and that may be more often than replacing an engine as they will also be worn out during usage and recharging... another thing is they having two engines and a battery bank is heavier and would require more energy to get moving so thats not good.... the added electronics also would require maintaining and that probably costs alot and so on..... and lastly the savings arent that great.... __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Jul 20, 2007, 03:22 PM	#12
CDsDontBurn Lurking DriverHeaven Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,779 Rep Power: 235 System Specs	@ spock & Sandok: Diesel cars are no longer available here in the US. __________________ Her First Day \| A year later

Jul 19, 2007, 07:24 AM	#2
ferret2004 HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 285 Rep Power: 0	I think hybrids are over-rated and over priced. I would look into a car with a diesel engine before I would a hybrid.

Jul 19, 2007, 04:53 PM	#8
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	I dunno the Pruis is a decent car if you do care for quiet and all... Plus they last forever! 400k!

Jul 19, 2007, 07:45 PM	#9
MrSpock2002 Because I said so! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Watkins Glen NY Posts: 542 Rep Power: 0	Get a Diesel VW Passat.

Jul 19, 2007, 08:21 PM	#10
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	Just wait for hybrid diesels from Citroen / Renault...

Jul 21, 2007, 01:49 PM	#14
CDsDontBurn Lurking DriverHeaven Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,779 Rep Power: 235 System Specs	i dunno why, i just know that's how it works here. __________________ Her First Day \| A year later

Jul 25, 2007, 06:19 PM	#15
H3X4D3C1M4L DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 6,794 Rep Power: 0	Here in Canada we can get the TDI and other diesel VW's. Besides that diesel is often cheaper here in Canada too. Chrysler is also releasing a new Jeep Liberty with a 3.0L V6 diesel (not sure how much HP/TQ it produces but I'm sure it will be comparable to the standard V6 that comes with it, if not better) that makes 24MPG city/31MPG highway (according to the billboard I saw). Though to me that doesn't seem all that great.

Jul 26, 2007, 03:24 AM	#16
CDsDontBurn Lurking DriverHeaven Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,779 Rep Power: 235 System Specs	dude, 24/31 MPG is awesome gas mileage for ANY SUV. why wouldn't that be all that great when most get 24MPG highway at best? __________________ Her First Day \| A year later