Hybrids

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

Hybrids are less headaches, more dependable, cost less to operate, and accelerate faster...do your homework ;-)

I did do my homework, I tend to keep a car for at least 15 years. That math does not work in favor of hybrid.
Oh I don't pay for my own gas. That's probably important bit you are missing.

 

[GSCJR]

Oh I don't pay for my own gas.

That's a significant omittance.

 

[OVERKILL]

Doesn't Mazda use the Toyota hybrid system?

No, this is a system provided by or similar to the one used by ZF for PHEV's like the BMW X5 and various Jeep models.

That "motor" you mentioned is a motor-generator...that system has far fewer moving parts than the gas-only model, therefore fewer points of failure.

It's a ZF8HP transmission (or similar to that arrangement) with the torque converter replaced by an electric motor/generator. It has the same number of moving parts as the gas-only model with the addition of more wiring, more components, and a battery.

Electric motors/generators are simple, and far more dependable than a gasoline engine, and yes I know, hybrids have gas engines, but the point being, electric motors are not added points of failure. Countless reviews and comparisons show that hybrids are dependable.

In this instance, it's an added point of failure, which is why your statement about them having fewer moving parts only applies to certain types of hybrids.

 

[SC Maintenance]

You provide a great deal of valuable input here but I do think that you are dismissing hybrids

I have never dismissed hybrids. I may even buy one someday soon. However the entire premise of this thread was "why would anyone not buy a hybrid". The whole thread is one giant hypocrisy of anyone that has any opinion different. The most often used argument is they save Sooooo much money in gas so I have simply given examples of the ROI, and in many cases the savings will never pan out. Thats not to say you shouldn't buy one - its your money buy what you want. But don't use bad data to convince yourself either way.

Sticking with your argument for a moment though, what happens if gas hits $6/gal if the political pendulum swings left?

By the same argument it was $1.50 for a couple years recently, so the ROI is now years and years longer if you bought in 2019 like I did. Trying to guess future gas prices is a fools errand. Now if you live in California where its probably already $6, then your ROI is very different - which is actually why I encourage people to do the ROI.

Everyone buys a car for different reasons. I would never buy a Ferrari - not enough ground clearance. Not to say I don't like Ferrari's - there awesome cars, if you have a use case for one.

 

[KrisZ]

No, this is a system provided by or similar to the one used by ZF for PHEV's like the BMW X5 and various Jeep models.

It's a ZF8HP transmission (or similar to that arrangement) with the torque converter replaced by an electric motor/generator. It has the same number of moving parts as the gas-only model with the addition of more wiring, more components, and a battery.
View attachment 293508

In this instance, it's an added point of failure, which is why your statement about them having fewer moving parts only applies to certain types of hybrids.

This looks similar to the system that Mercedes uses. It also utilizes a motor/generator in place of a torque converter.

 

[OVERKILL]

This looks similar to the system that Mercedes uses. It also utilizes a motor/generator in place of a torque converter.

It's quite common at this point, because you can make a vehicle gas/diesel or mild hybrid or PHEV all with basically the same powertrain. But of course that means that, as I noted to our boy lovcom, there's no benefit in terms of increased simplicity like there is with a series hybrid, as you are actually adding components and not decreasing the number of moving parts.

 

[altaylar]

A lot of city driving? Hybrids are great.

Road trips and low miles in city driving? Probably doesnt worth the delta

 

[Al]

Not even close to sub 5 seconds. 0-60

My bad.. 6.3 seconds

 

[Skippy722]

The hybrid models generally have more power, faster acceleration, and cheaper maintenance than their gas-only variants. And if you get the plug in hybrid version, you will find they're more exciting to drive than anything in your past. If you do your research, you'll likely never buy a gas-only vehicle again.

I drove a PHEV for 3 weeks, I’ll be sticking to gas only.

Actually, a Dodge Caliber was more thrilling to drive than that thing was.

 

[OVERKILL]

I drove a PHEV for 3 weeks, I’ll be sticking to gas only.

I actually really like the BMW X5 PHEV and my wife is chomping at the bit to get one, but I'd like to get the life out of what we own, rather than getting back into doing musical vehicles again.

 

[Skippy722]

I actually really like the BMW X5 PHEV and my wife is chomping at the bit to get one, but I'd like to get the life out of what we own, rather than getting back into doing musical vehicles again.

Similar boat to us, except my wife want a truck/truck based SUV now. But our van is paid off

 

[OVERKILL]

Similar boat to us, except my wife want a truck/truck based SUV now. But our van is paid off

I feel your pain!

 

[ripcord]

As a Prius owner I'm wondering where this increased power and acceleration people are claiming for hybrids is? Maybe they got most of mine? Ours could use an extra hamster or two.

 

[ATex7239]

Our Sienna Hybrid rips! High performance machine! That’s why it has a ready light and power gauge cause you ain’t ready for all this power. Mothers, hide your daughters.