Hybrid research?

[waynerd]

I know a couple people on here have, or have had a hybrid vehicle, and was just curious where and what you researched for your purchase.

Wifey is due for a new vehicle next year, and I'd originally thought a hybrid would be kind of a useless purchase for her, since her job requires all of a 5 minute commute, most of which is getting out of our subdivision. But, economic conditions as they are, her company is to soon do a re-org, and she may end up at a facility in the city, or on the other side of the city, dealing with "rush-hour" and city traffic, so a hybrid may make sense at that point.

I know Honda has the Insight coming soon, but the Civic is too small. There's the Toyota Camry that I like (but she doesn't). There's also the Chevy Malibu that I think is nice looking. She doesn't want an SUV.

Anyhoo, any sources or information would be appreciated.

[humanoid]

PM Jay for that, I'm sure he's got some experience!

[jay_man2]

Toyota currently offers the Prius, Camry Hybrid, and Highlander Hybrid.

Nissan offers the Altima Hybrid, and licenses the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system for it.

Honda has the Civic and at some point the Insight again.

Ford has the Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids, and will have the '10 Fusion Hybrid.

Chevy/GMC has the Tahoe/Yukon Hybrid, and maybe some others.

Lexus has the RX400h, LS Hybrid, and at some point an LS 250 Hybrid (only offered as a Hybrid).

There may be some tax incentives still available for the Nissan and Ford Hybrids; in Virginia, most of these qualify for "Clean Special Fuel" license tags that allow you to use the HOV lanes with just the driver in the vehicle.

Check out greenhybrid.com and the forums there.

I drive a Highlander Hybrid, and use the HOV lane. My mpg is averaging 25 or so, whereas in a comparable gas only Highlander or RX 330 I was getting 18-19 mpg.

You really have to think hard about what you want from a vehicle and decide if a hybrid makes sense overall. Just for mpg alone, the economics usually don't work. A 4-cylinder Camry LE will get the same or slightly better mileage than a Camry Hybrid, but doesn't come with some of the goodies like that smooth eCVT transmission and the smart-start feature.

[archie]

A few years back, I compared Civic Hybrid and Prius. Civic Hybrid had transmission problems, battery life problems, worse gas mileage. I seldom want to recommend Toyota so check things out for yourself. Might have changed.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by jay_man2
. . .

What is up with teh new name?

[jay_man2]

Originally posted by N_Jay


What is up with teh new name?

I created it back when I was deciding if I was going to bust through kemo's post count or not, and when my other post count hit 111111, I decided to switch over and maintain that one for posterior, er, uh, posterity.

This is the name I regularly use on other boards.

[Mainer]

I've been very happy with my camry hybrid - regularily get 35+ MPG. Very comfortable seats - great radio - good acceleration - incredible room in back seats. I haven't been too bothered by the smaller trunk but it is something to be aware of.

Best of luck. Maybe Obama will push to reintroduce tax credits on popular hybrids. The 2K credit was really nice when I bought mine. The Camry has sold too many to qualify now.