Hybrid Highlanders

[charlie]

I have spent some time on the Hybrid Highlander forum(HH is the Hybrid Highlander in their speak).The folks who have bought one
1)Like it
2)Find it accelerates fast-7.2 0-60 mph is what some moto mag says
3)MPG crude eyeballing ~27mpg in mixed driving-not many reports yet.Lowest 24.6 mpg
4)Paid about $38000 for a 2wd-more for AWD.Most are loaded.They seem to be paying about true MSRP-with maybe some typical dealer "pin stripe" ripoff stuff,but this ripoff isn't nearly universal like it probably was on Odysseys 5 years ago.It is definitely a "hot" car,but the cost means they aren't super "hot"(maybe a little "hotter" than Pilots were for the 1st few months of productions)
Well,that's all.I get terrible city mpg(13-14.5) good hy-22.4+,so I won't be trading the Pilot.With TTL a $20000 trade in(maybe) would mean $20000 out of pocket.Charlie

[jdeanski]

Well, lets see.......at $8000+ more than the Pilot and about 8-10 mpg average better, how long would it take to recoup the difference? Wonder why anyone would want to buy one? Sure isn't economic! Could it be "political?"

Hey Jay......you gonna buy a hybrid Lexus?

[jay]

Originally posted by jdeanski
...snip

Hey Jay......you gonna buy a hybrid Lexus?

Could it be performance- that sucker's quick from what I've read, with great low-end torque. Economy, environment, politics be damned! Fully loaded, they're about $6 grand more than the equivalent RX330, minus the $2000 tax deduction this year that drops to $500 next year, plus the ability to ride in the HOV lanes without any passengers--- seems like a win, win, win.


It looks like demand is cooling bit, though. One of the local dealers had 14 in stock a week ago, and 13 when I checked at this posting.

[jdeanski]

Originally posted by jay
Economy, environment, politics be damned!

plus the ability to ride in the HOV lanes without any passengers--- seems like a win, win, win.

Actually I sorta agree. I like the combination of hi tech and luxury. If I had the bucks I'd consider one. As for HOV lane usage by hybrids, that's in trouble:

From the VA DOT site:

The Federal Highway Administration has advised Virginia that its exemption for hybrid vehicles is in violation of current Federal statute.............

http://www.virginiadot.org/comtravel/hov-rulesfaq.asp

[jcantanixon]

Originally posted by jdeanski
Well, lets see.......at $8000+ more than the Pilot and about 8-10 mpg average better, how long would it take to recoup the difference?

Deleted so my math professors are not embarrassed.

[jl_ss]

Originally posted by jcantanixon


According to my math using the local gas prices, it would take around 28k miles to recoup the difference. Obviously if you take the tax credit and the rising cost per gallon, the distance to break even would be closer to 24k.

I think you need to recheck your math unless your local gas prices are much higher than everyone else's. Just a quick check of your numbers shows that assuming a Pilot at 20 mpg and a highlander at 30 mpg (10 mpg dif). In 28k miles, the Pilot will use 1400 gals and the highlander will use 933 gals for a difference of 467 gals. Even at $2.50 a gallon that is only a little over $1000 - nowhere near the $8000 price difference.

[GreenMachine]

Originally posted by jdeanski
Wonder why anyone would want to buy one? Sure isn't economic! Could it be "political?"

1. Fewer stops at the gas station. I hate filling up, especially having to see the prices we are paying these days.

2. Longer driving range.

[jl_ss]

Originally posted by GreenMachine


1. Fewer stops at the gas station. I hate filling up, especially having to see the prices we are paying these days.

2. Longer driving range.

But your monthly payment will be much higher than the extra amount you pay when you fill up unless prices go much higher.

[jcantanixon]

Originally posted by jl_ss


I think you need to recheck your math unless your local gas prices are much higher than everyone else's. Just a quick check of your numbers shows that assuming a Pilot at 20 mpg and a highlander at 30 mpg (10 mpg dif). In 28k miles, the Pilot will use 1400 gals and the highlander will use 933 gals for a difference of 467 gals. Even at $2.50 a gallon that is only a little over $1000 - nowhere near the $8000 price difference.

Thanks for the correction. My logic must be flawed.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by jcantanixon


Thanks for the correction. My logic must be flawed.

As is that of most people buying Hybrids!

[charlie]

The break even -assuming $2.50 gal and 20 mpg vs 30 mpg and $8000 price difference X=192000 MILES BREAK EVEN
$8000/$2.50+X/30=X/20
X=192000 miles
X is distance traveled
20 is mpg for Pilot or whatever
30 is mpg of HH
$8000/$2.50 tells you how many gallons you can get for$8000 if you pay $2.50/gal.
X/30 is how many gallons a HH will use in X miles
X/20 is how many gallons a 20 mpg vehicle will use in X miles
If you use 15 vs 25-more realistic for my Pilot in heavy city use-it is 120,000 miles-a plausible-possible number.
This ignores the tax breaks.Ignore the interest you lose on the $8000.Ignores the potentially better resale.Ignores gasoline might go to $4/gal.I think the HH is a good bet-if the Highlander meets your size requirements.
A I have made much worse bets in my life.I won't make this one because the Pilot is just such a perfectly sized "trip" vehicle.And,as I said,if we traded in our low miles Pilots we would have to put up about $20000-not $8000.Charlie

[GreenMachine]

Originally posted by jl_ss



But your monthly payment will be much higher than the extra amount you pay when you fill up unless prices go much higher.

I wasn't talking about breaking even or trying to justify the extra price to get the extra miles per gallon. I was just saying that having to fill my gas tank fewer times would be a pro to buying the hybrid. Just as the extra cost associated with buying one would be a con.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by GreenMachine


I wasn't talking about breaking even or trying to justify the extra price to get the extra miles per gallon. I was just saying that having to fill my gas tank fewer times would be a pro to buying the hybrid. Just as the extra cost associated with buying one would be a con.

Looks like you save 6 to 7 fill-ups a year.

Hmm, I'll fill up your car 7 times a year for $1000, and you break even in 8 years.

[GreenMachine]

Originally posted by N_Jay


Looks like you save 6 to 7 fill-ups a year.

Hmm, I'll fill up your car 7 times a year for $1000, and you break even in 8 years.

That depends on how many miles you drive. But anyway, what part of

I wasn't talking about breaking even

did you not understand? I was simply saying that you would visit the gas station less.

Oh, I'll just have to fill up my CR-V with as many gas containers I can before I send you to fill it up. You might want to take the day off though.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by GreenMachine



That depends on how many miles you drive. But anyway, what part of did you not understand? I was simply saying that you would visit the gas station less.

Well Heck, then just let me know.

I can have someone fill up your tank every time for a "Reasonable Fee"