Posted on 03/10/2006 7:30:45 AM PST by eraser2005
5 years is the average amount of time for car ownership in this country. Doesn't make any sense to me, I like owning a car without payments (although not for a couple more years, finally got rid of my 13 year old car last year), but there it is. People get rid of cars fairly quickly, though slower than it used to be (4 years was the average in the 80s, and the data right now is saying the average is moving up towards 6 years now).
I'm also wondering what's going to happen to reasale value when the 2nd and 3rd production generations get introduced. When these cars suddenly become technological antiques you're gonna see the depreciation curve get nasty.
Then you should get a '52 Nash. The turning radius is horrificly different and interesting, and unique. Plus, its a "new" experience and the resale value is very, very good.
When you factor in inflation, you will not save $406 to $317
The extra money up front is worth more than money over cost of ownership, because every year the dollar is worth less due to inflation.
Hybrids are joke. TDI is a far better, cheaper and practical solution.
>>the battery pack consumes a lot of interior space>>
Yep, and you can bet that my frame of 6'9'' (not to mention girth) would be as happy in a hybrid as a Rottweiler in a bunny cage.
No thanks, I will keep my SUV.
NO car is a worthwhile investment, IMO. I'd be willing to bet the Escape pays off better than the Prius if you keep it more like 10 years. Fords are notorious for highly non-linear depreciation curves. My Taurus depreciated $5000 in its first year. In its ninth, it depreciated just $300. I'd bet the Escape hybrid shows the same trend, and thus combined with the $660 annual gas savings, you'd see *much* better payoff if you keep it 8-10 years.
But why do you think you need 200,000 miles in 5 years to break even when CR shows you can essentially break even with 75,000 miles in the same time?
Personally, I think it would be GREAT to move to a NUCLEAR based society, where we use nuclear energy to generate electricity, and then use that to either power our cars, or generate hydrogen to power our cars. And hey, if the alchoholics can bring forth their promised breakthroughs, I'm all for that too...
"I SAVE A BUNDLE." "There is no question that the government should step in at this point and close the gap between the cost of hybrids and gasoline-only cars. It's clear that [hybrids] improve the environment, and I'll pay extra to do the right thing," says Berta Carrolton, a graphic designer who drives a Prius around San FranciscoNotice she says she's willing to pay more, but she wants the government to force everyone else to pay too. What an a$$hole. Liberals - doing what they think is the "right thing" with other people's money.
"Some of the posts on this subject however, reveal a whole lot of neurotic and controlling people..."
My experience here is that as much as I love Freerepublic there are a lot of controlling nuerotic people on any subject. Anytime some conservative wanders off the reservation and disagrees with Bush the Bushbots come out and start calling you everything from a traitor to an idiot to names I prefer not to use.
I generally ignore them. I respect your choice to drive a hybrid. I have a couple good friends who also drive them. I of course drive a v10 3/4 ton Dogder Ram pickup that gets about 12 miles to the gallon on a good day.
It must keep coming up just to get the proper info out there. MANY on this board are convinced the Prius only gets 35 mpg and costs thousands more to own because of false information that has been spread.
I'm not saying anyone has to buy one for savings or price - but people deserve to know the truth. The savings may be negligible, but lets stop the false bashing about costing more, extremely poor mileage, and battery failure/cost, agreed?
And "I just felt like it" is a perfectly acceptable choice.
Of course they are. People who bought these boondoggles are just trying to justify their profligacy. I'll take a diesel Jetta any day.
Because Hondas and Toyotas resale values compared to equally-equipped domestics blow them away. Imports can go 200k if well-maintained, even in 5 years. Only rarely have I seen any domestics do the same. Those domestics are fodder for car magazines. Imports do it regularly, with exception given to imports driven by teenagers, drunks and feminists with PMSL (perpetual menstrual symptom lifestlye).
I'm going to have to go, so I'll make one more comment and call it quits for now.
My wife and I have enjoyed our Mercury Mountaineers. We have had two. The mileage wasn't so great. Look, it was a trade-off. We like the vehicle. I'm not complaining.
I don't need that size, power or 'mileage', LOL. What I need is a vehicle to get to work. I want an SUV, 4 wheel drive and a nice ride.
The Mercury Mariner provides that. It's smaller, has four wheel drive, has plenty of power and gives superior mileage.
If I were purchasing a new Mountaineer, I'd be paying about the same price as I would for the Mariner. Frankly, I wouldn't opt for the gas powered Mariner.
While I will pay more for the hybrid Mariner than I would for the gas powered one, I will not be paying more than I would for the Mountaineer. I don't need the full size of the Mountaineer. I'm willing to sacrifice a little on size. As for quality, the Mariner fully loaded is an amazing vehicle.
I guess you could make the case that I'm paying a lot more for it compared to the gas version, but as far as comfort and styling it's basicly a trade-off for the Mariner vs the Mountaineer, one I'm willing to make.
Well, there you go! That should convince anyone.
And the LONG warranty and rapidly dropping cost (40% drop in 2004) on the battery doesn't factor in?
From what I've seen on prices, the depreciation curve is perfectly in-line with other vehicles. The Prius "bring-back" value is no worse than that of a comparable Corolla in terms of % of original price.
I agree total savings are most likely marginal - but lets get the correct info out, ok?
LOL
It's the best reason of all. Enjoy your Prius...
Thanks for the comments.
You are absolutely correct.
Turbodiesel technology is proven, affordable, simple, and has been available for years. A properly maintained diesel engine is good for at least 200,000 miles.
Of course, the enviroweenies don't really want any solutions and that is why they are pushing these silly hybrid vehicles.
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