Hybrids

[Rmay635703]

For me it’s sky high insurance and registration costs.

Combined together are more than the cost of gas, yes I own an antique hybrid and drove a plug in hybrid.

I don’t drive enough miles to exceed the insurance and registration costs which far and away exceed maintenance, repairs and fuel costs.

 

[Pablo]

Why is registration more?

 

[Hermann]

I find them to be incredibly dull to drive. No, high fuel economy doesn’t impress me, my cobalt gets 32mpg without trying.

Is 7.3 sec 0 to 60 dull.

 

[SC Maintenance]

What is "astronomical"? I want to say, Prius batteries have come down to like $4k. Which sounds like a lot but for something that won't wear out a transmission, is it replacing one anticipated repair with another?

Has anyone actually verified the batteries are still modular like the older Prius batteries so you can change out just the cells. I know with the Rav4 for example at some point they switched from NMH to Lithium. Possibly Lithium lasts longer and never needs replacing anyway? I know I have looked and can't get a straight answer.

 

[Astro_Guy]

Has anyone actually verified the batteries are still modular like the older Prius batteries so you can change out just the cells. I know with the Rav4 for example at some point they switched from NMH to Lithium. Possibly Lithium lasts longer and never needs replacing anyway? I know I have looked and can't get a straight answer.

Does it matter?

1) the battery warranties are 100-150k miles which is far longer than most people keep a car, right?

2) how many people reading this could actually replace a cell by themself or find an independent shop that would do it for them?

Forgive me, but your objections seem more emotional than logical. Good point on the up front cost vs. fuel savings but there are many more things to consider in the lifetime full cost model. How about we just agree to disagree here?

 

[Skippy722]

Is 7.3 sec 0 to 60 dull.

Yes. So was the significantly faster (0-60 in 5.3) Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe that I drove, the cobalt gives more feel than that lifeless husk of a vehicle.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Does it matter?

Yes. It was a technical question. Got an answer, - I would like to know.

1) the battery warranties are 100-150k miles which is far longer than most people keep a car, right?

BTW the warranty is 10/150K and can only be transferred 1 time, last I checked. Not everyone buys new. Most here don't.

2) how many people reading this could actually replace a cell by themself or find an independent shop that would do it for them?

Do you have any clue what website your posting on and the average skill of those here? Not to mention swapping batteries on the older Toyotas was actually quite easy for anyone with any technical competence.

Forgive me, but your objections seem more emotional than logical. Good point on the up front cost vs. fuel savings but there are many more things to consider in the lifetime full cost model. How about we just agree to disagree here?

How was this an objection? Is this your way of telling me to go away? Were your feelings "aroused" per @Al . Its posted on a public forum, my comments were on topic?

 

[brages]

Another issue impacting hybrids is trade-in valuations. They take really big hits after five or so years. The dealers are using the battery as a way to offer less. Neighbor has a 8 year old Prius and wanted to trade it on a new one and even the Toyota dealer was giving him trade-in grief. They actually insinuated that they would have to replace the battery in order to resell it. Whether that's true or not, it's that kind of info that could really hurt hybrid sales not to mention resales! I was seriously thinking about a cx50 hybrid but since I only drive about 6 to 8K miles per year per car (have 2) it would take forever to justify the increased cost based on fuel savings alone.

I was looking at used Priuses not too long ago and I don't believe this is the case. I think the dealer was just trying to scare the guy so they could rip him off.

 

[Al]

Yes. So was the significantly faster (0-60 in 5.3) Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe that I drove, the cobalt gives more feel than that lifeless husk of a vehicle.

My '18 Forester is 4.9 0-60. I'm different and do that once/week, but big deal. At 7.3 My '22 Forester was 8.3 but when you put it to the floor and let it shift at 6500 rpm it wakes you up. Some folks (not you) complain about "slowness" and probably have never let it shift a couple times at full throttle.

 

[Al]

Well I sat in the seats of the XT4, Mazda CX-50, Forester and RAV4. Only the RAV4 and Forester sit up High.

Probably most here know the RAV4 will be all new next year and will offer only Hybrid. For me-now it will be an easy choice as long as the little lady likes the seating in the RAV