I Prius is not in the same class as a camary or taurus.

You miss read, the prius vs. something like a Camry or Taurus.

Or that is what I got out of it. So yes the Prius is not fighting something in its weight class. So what, tell the cars its the new in thing. Girls aren't the only ones going skinny.

Okay that was weird.

I love that a "study" is needed to prove concepts like this. I purchased my Prius 2 years ago. It wasn't that hard for me to do the math 2 years ago. :)

As I always say, even if they didn't save money they'd be a good thing. People never want to save money when they buy cars, otherwise everybody would be driving small sub-compacts without any options.

Nobody wonders if an engine upgrade is going to pay for itself, so just the fact that a hybrid system will actually save you money AND accomplish what it is you paid for (lower emissions, better fuel efficiency, smoother, more silent operation, etc) is a pretty good deal..

what is battery life in these things?

What is the cost to replace them?

In the intellichoice "study" I find it interesting that the price difference between an escape and an escape hybrid is so low - considering I can get 5k off a 2007 escape, and barely anything off the MSRP of a hybrid. As well, I notice how they use the Limited in their equation, which of course is much better appointed than an entry level escape.

How would equivalently optioned machines differ in price, and how much is the REAL gap given the fact that non hybrid ones are hardly in demand. I guess using 07 models msrp for a hybrid msrp starts at what 26320 and an XLT automatic starts at 22,900. So any government hand out would at best make you even assuming you pay msrp for the non hybrid for which you'd be INSANE.

They parade the high resale of hybrids without mentioning the obvious fact that you can wheel one hell of a deal on the other one.

I'm not anti hybrid, but it is pretty easy to publish voodoo economic studies and trip all over the fact that you are unbiased and your research is your own and your data is bulletproof.

Aaron's right. Both Hybrids mentioned in the article were compared to higher optioned non-hybrids resulting in an artificially low price difference.

The Escape Hybrid should be compared to an XLT 4WD not a Limited and the Civic Hybrid should be compared to an LX not an EX.

I am not anti-hybrid, but to someone else's point, both of the people that I know that have purchased hybrids did so based on the assumption that it was going to save them money. Both have been disappointed and one is now actively shopping for a non-hybrid vehicle, because she feels like she was duped.

It is misguided to think that one is helping the environment if they're "helping" by putting out false or misleading information. Eventually the truth is known and the backlash may be worse for environmentalism in the long run.

All you greenies forget all the TOXIC chemical by products created with the production of each set of
hybrid batteries. Heavy metals, acids, degreasers.

All of these raise HECK in the enviroment!

These things are not that GREEN!

This study is way FLAWED anyway, you have to own these things at least 10 years to get the payback against the SAME size car and GAS engine equivolent!

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editor note: Could you point us to your sources?

Here's a link that backs up what Ned (I think that is him) said:

http://clubs.ccsu.edu/Recorder/editorial/print_item.asp?NewsID=188

When you add in all of the manufacturing that goes into the batteries, electric engine etc and the environmental damage done the Prius doesn't look that great.

I still think it is best to get a high mileage conventional compact car. My wife's Toyota Corolla LE is rated between 32 to 38 (city, highway). That's not bad mileage.

I agree with AARON and NED FLANDER.

The chemical in Batteries for hybrids are nickel metal hydride (NiMH). and YES... It is a hazaderous waste.

Now, imagine having a car crase with 50 packs that THAT under your car. I

A battery waste desposal plant produces as much pollution as the plant that burns garbage for gas.

NOW, consider the carbon emissions. YES, a toyota Prius may produce less CO2 than a normal car run on GAS (not diesel, diesel cars from europe cream hybrids for efficiency).

BUT, have you even considered how much CO2 are emmitted when the car is transported to USA on hugh ocean liners?

The engine on a ocean transporter is equiv to 20,000 medium cars!!! so imagine how much CO2 are emitted every year because of those transport.

PS: Prius's are MADE IN JAPAN.

Does anybody know where I can get a cool hybrid emblem for my Ford Excursion?

You can buy a nice used Excursion for only $10k and haul seven passengers and still have room for your Vespa in the rear.

Lets see, I just saved at least ten grand over a used hybrid vehicle and I can carry three more people and cargo easily. SUVS RULE! Just ask Al Gore and Oprah. Tree huggin suv owners.

heres an idea for saving money as well as recycling and saving the environment: buy an older car!!! it might sound crazy, but if you consider the fact that your car payment would usually be at least $200-300 a month for most entry level cars and even more for a hybrid with the perceived benefit of better gas mileage saving them money, and that theory might make sense if people actually kept there car long enough to pay it off, but it sometimes doesn't work that way. assuming an average of 25 mpg on a small car driven 1200 miles per month gas maybe $2.80 would cost $135 plus that payment and i forgot full coverage insurance. the total would add up to 400-500 per month. lets consider the hybrid. you might actually get an impressive 40 mpg from it costing $85 in gas but the payment may be $350-$400 per month plus a slightly discounted full coverage. now lets consider the older car. you buy for a couple grand at most and have no payment. your insurance can be lower if you choose not to have full coverage. you may get only 15mpg that will cost a whopping $230/mo. but remember theres no car payment to augment that expense so you can save at least $100/mo! not into saving money? save the environment buy reducing waste not only from keeping an old car out of the junkyard, but preventing more pollution and waste caused buy the manufacture of a new car! back on new car efficiency a second, does anyone realize that our preference of auto transmissions uses more fuel and gives less performance than manuals? another thing, ever notice how every new model introduced gets heavier than the last? seen the new bigger scion xb? if we really want to save ourselves and the world, lets stop being so gullible to what politicians and the media tells us about global warming and hybrids and co2 emissions. i'm not in any way anti anything, im just a realist that tries to see through all of the pc bull thats out there.

I have to agree with most of the views of Fred, Robert, Doug, Aaron, and Ned.

Many people don't know, but "Global Warming" actually turned out and was proven to be a governmental conspiracy to scare people into making decisions and thinking they way the government wanted them to.

It is scientifically proven that humans have contributed 2% (if that) or less of CO2 and other gases in the atmosphere. A car that gets you 60 mpg does not help in any way possible. Do you realized that every day there natural disasters and acts of nature that actually make up the majority of pollution in the air, such as: fires, volcanic eruptions, pollen, wind, etc. These natural events/disasters all create more pollution than a few hybrids could try to make up for. Mother nature will win in the end, and the human race has no control over it.

Based on these facts and data, I believe when car manufacturers invest enormous amounts of money into a project that will not help the environment (even a small fraction), is just a waste of money for a cause that doesn't exist.

It may seem like hybrids are cost-effective just because you or someone else saves a couple bucks by filling up less, but in all actuality they aren't.

SOURCES:

http://www.pushhamburger.com/global_warming.htm

http://library.thinkquest.org/J002621F/Caralyn2.htm

Many people don't know, but "Global Warming" actually turned out and was proven to be a governmental conspiracy to scare people into making decisions and thinking they way the government wanted them to.

Tinfoil hat a little tight this evening?

^ (Post above this)

I find it funny how you have to personally attack someone for speaking their mind or the truth.

Maybe if you could pose a good counter-argument, it may help move the discussion along. But just trying to put yoruself above others just shows how much of a low-life you really are Anonymous.

All of the facts are proven, don't judge other people just because it turns out you're the one who is in all actuality brainwashed.

Don't the batteries kinda die after 5 years or so and cost about $8,000+ (Australian) to replace?

But not only that I've heard the carbon emissions created during manufacture of those batteries outweighs the savings they make during their charge/recharge lifetime, making the whole concept of the car redundant. Good Idea, the hybrid car. But I think Hydrogen fuel cells are the way to go... lets hope we change before the oil runs out in 10, 100 or 500 years, take your pick.

I do own a hybrid, but I agree with the stuff about the battery.

I have a 2002 Prius with 143,000 miles on it. Recently I started checking on my trade in value for a new Prius. Every sales person told me that I can't trade it in without getting a new battery which costs $3,500 to $5,000 for it. And then I could maybe get $8,000 for it. Not much of resale valeu I would say. I figured out that by paying the extra $10,000 for a Prius (over a Corolla) even after the cash I save having driven 200,000 miles on it, I am still in the hole $2,000. Then if you figure in the battery, it goes up. Needless to say, my next car will not be a hybrid. I feel duped too. They don't tell you about having to buy a mew battery when you buy the car, but you can expect to get a new one anytime after you reach 75,000 miles.

You cannont campare the prius to the camry because they are not in the same class. if you go for engine size the prius is comparable to something like the jazz, also if you use luggage capacity, the civic hybrid is smaller than the jazz, but thats beside the point.

I would love to see the source for this guys claims, but me in australia, with australian fuel prices and australian car prices in 2008 worked out that based on fuel alone, and doing 15000kms a year, IT WILL TAKE LONGER THAN 5 YEARS FOR YOU TO START SAVING MONEY ON A PRIUS, the civic hybid would be a better choice over the prius if you are so worried about the environment.

But given the fact that the civic is only saves you 33g of co2 emmisions per km, then that aint much of big deal, considering you bateries in the hybrids have heavy metals and crap in them.

I came across this site while trying to find out info. on how hybrids work so I could decide if I should buy one or not. I'm more unsure than before and completly discourged. Oh well...

I saw on show on t.v. called MADE, they showed how car batteries are recycled into new battieries. It was pretty interesting.