Is a Hybrid The Right Choice?

Unpredictable gas prices and concerns over global warming have drivers and carmakers alike looking to hybrid vehicles. But is a hybrid the right choice for you? A lot of people think switching to hybrid is a smart move, some have other opinion. Marty Padgett, editor of TheCarConnection.com, says there are many good reasons to buy a hybrid — and some bad ones, too. “Some people approach hybrids as a silver bullet to their gas bills,” Padgett says. “In some cases it’s true — but some hybrids don’t show a real-world improvement in fuel economy at all.”

Some great reasons to buy a Hybrid:

• Your current car’s at the end of its life cycle. Lots of drivers are thinking of selling their cars and getting a hybrid — which means used-car prices for big SUVs are dropping like a rock, while hybrid prices are percolating. If you’re planning on buying a new vehicle anyway, it’s the perfect chance to downsize into a smaller hybrid vehicle. But according to the editors at TheCarConnection.com, if your vehicle is not on its last legs, you might not recoup the costs of going hybrid.)
• The hybrid you want qualifies for a tax break. Some hybrids, like the Prius, are no longer eligible for tax breaks. But new hybrid models, such as the Mazda Tribute, have up to a $3000 tax credit available. Talk to your accountant or car dealer.
• Your employer offers perks for hybrid drivers. Companies from Bank of America to Timberland give money or parking privileges to employees who own hybrids; ask your human resources manager.
• Your hometown lets you drive in high occupancy (HOV) lanes if you drive alone in a hybrid. If traffic is an issue in your community, access to the carpool lane can be a big plus.
• You’re trading in a big gas-guzzler for a small hybrid. If you’re going from 14 mpg to 30 mpg, that’s great. But buying a hybrid version of something you already own — going from a full-size SUV to a compact crossover hybrid — is not enough, according to experts.
• Gas doubles in the next two years. If gas hits $8 a gallon in the U.S., every nickel’s worth of fuel will count.
• You want to make a difference. Buying a hybrid sends a clear message to car companies: if we buy more hybrids, they will make more.

And some lousy reasons to buy a hybrid:

• You’re doing it to save money now. You won’t at first. A Honda Civic Hybrid costs about $2500 more than the gas-only version; even at $4 a gallon, it could take you four years to recoup the cost.
• You think it’s less costly to own. It might use less gas, but at some point your hybrid will need its batteries replaced — and if it is beyond the eight-year warranty that could cost you $3000.
• You think it will drive just like a regular car. It will, for the most part — but hybrids have less sensitive steering and brakes, in general. According to the experts at TheCarConnection.com, if you want a superbly responsive sports sedan you should choose the Lexus GS-not the GS 450h.
• You want that magic fuel economy number on the window sticker. Even with changes to the EPA’s testing cycle, those window stickers have optimistic city and highway ratings.
• You think service is a thing of the past. Reality check: You will still need oil and tire changes.
• You’re doing it to be cool. Fashions are fickle. Enough said.

The point is hybrid isn’t for everyone. Some of us could be better off by adopting the way of eco-driving. But again, the future is green, it’ll be a whole different ballgame as the hybrid technology becoming even more affordable and advanced. [TheCarConnection]

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