Do hybrids last as long as naturally aspirated engine and do they make sense?

[wtd]

So no other vehicle on the road loses a head gasket at 145K?

I'm sure some do but this is not my opinion so why would you even ask me that? I've never owned a Prius and have no personal experience with them.

 

[lovcom]

Still amazes me that with all the retired rich professionals hanging out here, that they can't afford a new/newer car after 8-12 years, just befuddles me. The last thing I want to do is drive a car with 200,000 plus miles on it. IMO YMMV

You missed the point of keeping a car 200k+ miles... it's about investing that $ and getting a decent return...your thinking will keep you poor, and you forget that cars drop in value, where most investments appreciate....on the other hand, if I drove what you drive (Ford?), I'd not want to keep it after 200k either. Its not about lack of affordability...its about growing wealth.

 

[lovcom]

My understanding is that Toyota has essentially 2 different Hybrid systems.

The original Prius used a planetary gear set and was robust beyond belief. I don't know if the current Priuses still use that system (I think they do) but suspect they are a bit less robust due to "engineering out" the excess reliability.

The Camry uses a more conventional hybrid system with a (fairly reliable) CVT.

I'm not sure any of this matters though as Toyota has (for the most part) shown it can build reliable "most things". Low tension piston rings being one notable exception.

Have I got this right?

No, you have it mostly wrong. Toyota hybrids use an eCVT, and its design is nothing like the CVTs of all other carmakers. The current Toyota hybrid system (and all prior) are not "conventional"...they are just Toyota's, and no the most recent are not less robust. Where did you get your info?

 

[CarlB]

You missed the point of keeping a car 200k+ miles... it's about investing that $ and getting a decent return...your thinking will keep you poor, and you forget that cars drop in value, where most investments appreciate....on the other hand, if I drove what you drive (Ford?), I'd not want to keep it after 200k either. Its not about lack of affordability...its about growing wealth.

I try to simplify it for the new to financial planning, "Never pay interest on a depreciating asset."

 

[lovcom]

I just watched this video. Ivan seems to think that the newer Toyota Hybrid is not very reliable.

You've heard wrong. You listen to one video, and draw conclusions? I've had Toyota hybrid models 2012, 2014, 2019, and 2021, and they're all very robust and reliable, and more so than prior models.

 

[andrew_j]

You missed the point of keeping a car 200k+ miles... it's about investing that $ and getting a decent return...your thinking will keep you poor, and you forget that cars drop in value, where most investments appreciate....on the other hand, if I drove what you drive (Ford?), I'd not want to keep it after 200k either. Its not about lack of affordability...its about growing wealth.

I don’t think it’s as extreme as you make it that you’ll be poor not driving a car past 200k. You won’t become wealthy either keeping it.

Halve that number to 100k and replacing new cars often will not help wealth building.

 

[brages]

No, you have it mostly wrong. Toyota hybrids use an eCVT, and its design is nothing like the CVTs of all other carmakers. The current Toyota hybrid system (and all prior) are not "conventional"...they are just Toyota's, and no the most recent are not less robust. Where did you get your info?

Toyota DOES have two distinct kinds of hybrids. The "hybrid max" drivetrains on their larger vehicles use 6-speed automatics, as best I can tell.

 

[OVERKILL]

You've heard wrong. You listen to one video, and draw conclusions? I've had Toyota hybrid models 2012, 2014, 2019, and 2021, and they're all very robust and reliable, and more so than prior models.

You missed the point of keeping a car 200k+ miles... it's about investing that $ and getting a decent return...your thinking will keep you poor, and you forget that cars drop in value, where most investments appreciate....on the other hand, if I drove what you drive (Ford?), I'd not want to keep it after 200k either. Its not about lack of affordability...its about growing wealth.

Man, you must drive a lot if you put 200,000+ miles on each of those Toyota hybrids!

 

[The Critic]

No, you have it mostly wrong. Toyota hybrids use an eCVT, and its design is nothing like the CVTs of all other carmakers. The current Toyota hybrid system (and all prior) are not "conventional"...they are just Toyota's, and no the most recent are not less robust. Where did you get your info?

Not all Toyota hybrids use an eCVT. There are multiple types of Toyota hybrids now and some use a conventional automatic.

 

[Hermann]

You missed the point of keeping a car 200k+ miles... it's about investing that $ and getting a decent return...your thinking will keep you poor, and you forget that cars drop in value, where most investments appreciate....on the other hand, if I drove what you drive (Ford?), I'd not want to keep it after 200k either. Its not about lack of affordability...its about growing wealth.

In my world driving a vehicle till it falls apart is not why I worked so hard for 50+ years. Plus I am no where near forever poor. Not lovin' your trolling on this forum.

 

[SEBZX79]

The RAV4 gasser engine is not great(buzzy, gutless) while hybrid transforms it in current generation at least.

I would not buy in other brand for a hybrid besides Toyota.

HAd two bmw hybrids one x5 and 530e. Both been great traded x5 at 146k for a crazy deal in zdx. Still have the 530e with 128k on it. It has been flawless.
So this thing that Toyota is a God send is bs.

 

[rijndael]

I try to simplify it for the new to financial planning, "Never pay interest on a depreciating asset."

If the money is earning more than the interest would cost me, I'm taking the loan/interest. Capital One is paying me 3.5% and the loan costs me 1.9%. I generally like to hang on to my money for as long as possible.

 

[CarlB]

If the money is earning more than the interest would cost me, I'm taking the loan/interest. Capital One is paying me 3.5% and the loan costs me 1.9%. I generally like to hang on to my money for as long as possible.

Incomplete equation when the market is beating 3.5% (opportunity cost). Also need to factor in depreciation.

 

[rijndael]

Why does depreciation matter? It depreciates the same whether I have a loan or not.

 

[Jetronic]

Not sure if hybrid can help my horrible aerodynamics. Is 30 mpg with that frontend possible?



View attachment 293584
View attachment 293585

Not if you keep the hood up!

 

[andrew_j]

If the money is earning more than the interest would cost me, I'm taking the loan/interest. Capital One is paying me 3.5% and the loan costs me 1.9%. I generally like to hang on to my money for as long as possible.

So if you buy a $35k car you actually have that cash in hand at moment buying it and available to pay cash or decide on loan/plant money into high yield savings?

 

[rijndael]

So if you buy a $35k car you actually have that cash in hand at moment buying it and available to pay cash or decide on loan/plant money into high yield savings?

Right. I like the cash-in-hand starting point because it makes me spend less. I really don't like parting with cash.

 

[OVERKILL]

So if you buy a $35k car you actually have that cash in hand at moment buying it and available to pay cash or decide on loan/plant money into high yield savings?

I know in the case of my parent's recent vehicle purchase, my dad could have pulled the money out of his investments, of which the return on was, until the recent trade situation, excellent, OR, take the 0% financing and just make a payment with his return, which is the route he chose.

 

[rijndael]

I have a hard time coming up with a situation where I wouldn't take the 0-2% loans every time.

 

[lovcom]

Man, you must drive a lot if you put 200,000+ miles on each of those Toyota hybrids!

Our family puts on 200k+ miles on all our cars before we get rid of them. We all drive hybrids.