People all over are hyped up about buying cars like a Toyota Prius to save on gas. You may look good (read:green), but this is not your most economical choice in the long run. And, it's bad for the environment.
Here's why. You can buy an 03 Toyota Prius with average miles from me for about $17k. Your real-world average (city and highway) fuel economy will probably be about 45mpg. For an average driver who travels 12k miles per year, at $3 per gallon, you'll spend about $800 on gas per year.
Now, compare that to a buyer of an 03 Toyota Echo (01 Toyota Echo pictured, one we have for sale right now), a car about the same size. The Echo will get an average of about 35 mpg. BTW, it gets over 41 on the highway with no hybrid technology, and it's just as reliable as any other Toyota. You'll pay only about $9k to buy an 03 Echo from me. With average yearly mileage, yes, you'll spend a whopping $1025 per year for gas using the same rules as for the Prius. More than for the Prius gas bill for the year. But, to attain the $225 per year gas savings, you're spending $8k more for the car. And, that assumes that average people can afford that extra $8k for a comparable car. The reality is: They Can't!!!
At a fuel savings of $225 per year, it's going to take you a long time (35 years) to recoup the extra $8k you paid for the Prius. Are most people going to keep a used car that long???? Nope!!!
But wait!!! Don't forget that the Prius will need new batteries in that 11 years, at a price of $3k to the owner. If you want to sell the Prius used, and it needs batteries, you're not going to get much for it in the car market. The reality is, you'll NEVER recoup the price you pay for the Prius. Sorry. Those 11 years turn into never.
You forgot about one thing... Those Prius batteries need to be disposed of. You know, that extra money (I believe $3 each) you have to pay the government when for your old battery when you buy your 1 new battery for your current car each time, about every 4 years. I'm all for a good environment, but this all doesn't make any sense because you're adding a bunch more batteries to the environment to be disposed of with hybrids.
Just like adding ethanol, which REDUCES the fuel efficiency of cars, doesn't make sense. People are complaining their fuel economy is going down, because it is. We're burning MORE fuel with ethanol.
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