Best Time to Buy a Hybrid?

[VivaPopovich]

Damn, I wanted one of these when they first came out.. That was when gas was around $5/gallon (depending where you were), hybrids then were priced at its highest cause of demand..

but now that people think $3/gallon is cheap (which is retarded) there are some really good ones out there for a discount, especially if you get them used. i've bought tons of stuff off ebay, but i never got a car there before.

i figure i should check them out first before placing a bid.. i'm surprised how cheap used hybrids are, i wouldnt want to wait for gas to go up again. it's like being in a trap; gas is too expensive, hybrids too expensive lol

these look sweet (prius) (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=9&pub=5574725298&toolid=10001&campid=5336356956&customid=&icep_uq=toyota+prius&icep_sellerId=&icep_ex_kw=&icep_sortBy=12&icep_catId=&icep_minPrice=&icep_maxPrice=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg)

these are good too (honda civic hybrid) (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=9&pub=5574725298&toolid=10001&campid=5336356956&customid=&icep_uq=honda+civic+hybrid&icep_sellerId=&icep_ex_kw=&icep_sortBy=12&icep_catId=&icep_minPrice=&icep_maxPrice=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg)

and for those of you that think hybrids are for tree hugging hippies, the new jetta diesels look good too http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=9&pub=5574725298&toolid=10001&campid=5336356956&customid=&icep_uq=jetta+diesel&icep_sellerId=&icep_ex_kw=&icep_sortBy=12&icep_catId=&icep_minPrice=&icep_maxPrice=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg

anyone buy a car off ebay before? what was it like?

[balli]

I have no advice on ebay, but my parents have owned both a Prius and a Civic Hybrid. They loved the Prius, hate the Civic. Having driven each, I concur. The Civic is barely operable when the AC's on; it drains a ton of power and the electric engine completely stops working. In the winter it's fine. In the summer it's a worthless piece of shit.

[VivaPopovich]

when did they get their prius?

[CubanMustGo]

Having driven a 2007 Civic Hybrid for two summers full of 100+ temps in Central Texas (including the current one), I strongly disagree with this assessment. Neither my wife or I seem to have the problems stated by balli on behalf of his parents.

I would not disagree that the Prius' technology is, overall, superior to that of the Civic, and it also has superior cargo storage.

[balli]

A long time ago. It was one of the first ones back before they had that glass, semi-hatchback trunk. I thought it was a great car though. In terms of how well the engine worked anyways. A lot better than the several years newer Civic.

[traitoravery]

My wife just bought a Honda Insight Hybrid http://automobiles.honda.com/insight-hybrid/ and it is quite possibly the best Hybrid I have driven. She usually gets about 44 mpg.

[balli]

Having driven a 2007 Civic Hybrid for two summers full of 100+ temps in Central Texas (including the current one), I strongly disagree with this assessment. Neither my wife or I seem to have the problems stated by balli on behalf of his parents.

I would not disagree that the Prius' technology is, overall, superior to that of the Civic, and it also has superior cargo storage.
Seriously? They can't get their battery to last for more than 5 minutes with the AC on. They found out their first summer of ownership and when they went to Honda they were told that's just the way it is. I trust your experience, but now I'm wondering if you have a newer/better model or if my parents just have a semi-lemon?

[VivaPopovich]

honda insight hybrid?

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=9&pub=5574725298&toolid=10001&campid=5336356956&customid=&icep_uq=Honda+Insight+Hybrid&icep_sellerId=&icep_ex_kw=&icep_sortBy=12&icep_catId=&icep_minPrice=&icep_maxPrice=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg

are they new? their a little pricier on ebay compared to the other hybrids

[CubanMustGo]

Seriously? They can't get their battery to last for more than 5 minutes with the AC on. They found out their first summer of ownership and when they went to Honda they were told that's just the way it is. I trust your experience, but now I'm wondering if you have a newer/better model or if my parents just have a semi-lemon?

It's a difference in the way the two cars are designed and I can see where applying the expectations from the Prius to the Civic could cause one to dislike the Honda.

The Prius battery/motor is powerful enough to propel the entire car at speeds up to 30 mph. The Honda battery/motor is more of an assist for the gasoline engine (thus the comment about the Prius technology being superior). Yes, the engine stops at a light but as soon as you take your foot off the brake the engine starts, AC on or no AC on. The Prius batteries also have more capacity.

If you are stopped in the Civic Hybrid with the AC on for extended periods of time, yes, the battery will drain and the engine will start. Until the battery gets some charge back, you have to drive on engine power only, and performance suffers. Probably happens 2-3 times a week for me but I've gotten used to it.

2007 was the start of the '2nd generation' HCH, and the electrics and drivetrain were improved over the 1st generation.

[CubanMustGo]

honda insight hybrid?

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=9&pub=5574725298&toolid=10001&campid=5336356956&customid=&icep_uq=Honda+Insight+Hybrid&icep_sellerId=&icep_ex_kw=&icep_sortBy=12&icep_catId=&icep_minPrice=&icep_maxPrice=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg

are they new? their a little pricier on ebay compared to the other hybrids

There are two "Insight" versions.

Honda made a two-seater Insight until about 2005. It gets the best mileage of any of the hybrids (over 50).

The new 2010 Honda Insight is a four-seater ripoff of the Prius design. It's priced at less than the Civic Hybrid but gets slightly worse mileage.

[exstatic]

The best time to buy a hybrid? When gas is low like it is now. When it goes back up, the dealer is going to have sex with your mother or wife to seal the deal.

[ducks]

Prius is suppose to have a 1.8 litter instead of 1.5
and a little bit more room in 2010 cars

[ducks]

Damn, I wanted one of these when they first came out.. That was when gas was around $5/gallon (depending where you were), hybrids then were priced at its highest cause of demand..

but now that people think $3/gallon is cheap (which is retarded) there are some really good ones out there for a discount, especially if you get them used. i've bought tons of stuff off ebay, but i never got a car there before.

i figure i should check them out first before placing a bid.. i'm surprised how cheap used hybrids are, i wouldnt want to wait for gas to go up again. it's like being in a trap; gas is too expensive, hybrids too expensive lol

these look sweet (prius) (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=9&pub=5574725298&toolid=10001&campid=5336356956&customid=&icep_uq=toyota+prius&icep_sellerId=&icep_ex_kw=&icep_sortBy=12&icep_catId=&icep_minPrice=&icep_maxPrice=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg)

these are good too (honda civic hybrid) (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=9&pub=5574725298&toolid=10001&campid=5336356956&customid=&icep_uq=honda+civic+hybrid&icep_sellerId=&icep_ex_kw=&icep_sortBy=12&icep_catId=&icep_minPrice=&icep_maxPrice=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg)

and for those of you that think hybrids are for tree hugging hippies, the new jetta diesels look good too http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=9&pub=5574725298&toolid=10001&campid=5336356956&customid=&icep_uq=jetta+diesel&icep_sellerId=&icep_ex_kw=&icep_sortBy=12&icep_catId=&icep_minPrice=&icep_maxPrice=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg

anyone buy a car off ebay before? what was it like?

I bought a tauras off of ebay and it still runs great
you make a bid then I went to pick it up and THEN paid for it. So if it had issues I would have said FUCK YOU and left and not care about my ebay rating

[VivaPopovich]

I bought a tauras off of ebay and it still runs great
you make a bid then I went to pick it up and THEN paid for it. So if it had issues I would have said FUCK YOU and left and not care about my ebay rating

NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

there you go Spurstalk lol

[CuckingFunt]

Seriously? They can't get their battery to last for more than 5 minutes with the AC on. They found out their first summer of ownership and when they went to Honda they were told that's just the way it is. I trust your experience, but now I'm wondering if you have a newer/better model or if my parents just have a semi-lemon?

My step-mother drives a Civic hybrid in an area with summers that range from the high 90s to low 100s and has had no issues with power or battery life, for what it's worth. Don't remember what year it is... 2005, maybe?

[TDMVPDPOY]

i drive a prius also

cant seem to get it under 5l/100km...i continue to hover around 5.5l/100km

do you guys drive in REV mode? cause i never seem to use it...probably explains why im still in the 5.5l range.

[VivaPopovich]

im surprised how many texans here drive hybrids

i thought i was going to get berated over suggesting them, being told to go with a diesel engine instead lol

[robino2001]

I have a 09 camry hybrid that I absolutely love... average 37-44 mpg depending on the weather and if I do a highway trip (Austin/SA round trip) or not. Drives great - no problems at all. Sure the mileage will be a touch worse than a smaller hybrid, but for a midsize car, it's exactly what I wanted.

[boutons_deux]

Jetta TDI diesel, been around a few years, many drivers claim 50+ mpg highway (after the break-in period, and in hot weather). Quite a few used ones around. Drivers like the torque, and all around "fun" driving.

There are supposed to be a several small "clean" diesels coming to USA, that are available overseas, 60+ mpg.

It seems like hybrids aren't worth the purchase premium/long payack and complexity.

[Wild Cobra]

I don't know how good battery technology is now, but I would be afraid to buy one more than three years old.

How much do new batteries cost when they start losing capacity? How long do they last, retaining 80% capacity?

Need to find out I think.

I concur, if you want one, but one before gas prices go up again. Like convertibles. If you want one cheap, buy one in the winter.

[Supreme_Being]

Hybrids are just all hype. A VW Polo 1.4 TDi actually has better mpg (70 mpg (http://www.greencar.com/articles/vw-polo-bluemotion-tops-70-mpg.php)) than a Toyota Prius (50 mpg (http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10283934-54.html)).

[Wild Cobra]

Hybrids are just all hype. A VW Polo 1.4 TDi actually has better mpg (70 mpg (http://www.greencar.com/articles/vw-polo-bluemotion-tops-70-mpg.php)) than a Toyota Prius (50 mpg (http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10283934-54.html)).
I disagree. I just worry about battery life. I think the optimum setup would be like trains are. IC engine that creates electricity, then transfers that to motors. Screw the batteries.

[Supreme_Being]

I know how a hybrid system works, yes. I think if someone polished the hybrid system a bit more, say, a diesel engine mated with the hybrid system, instead of a petrol engine, that'd be better. Until then, you're gonna have to worry about the baby seals being bludgeoned to death rather grotesquely every time you step on the gas.

[TDMVPDPOY]

I don't know how good battery technology is now, but I would be afraid to buy one more than three years old.

How much do new batteries cost when they start losing capacity? How long do they last, retaining 80% capacity?

Need to find out I think.

I concur, if you want one, but one before gas prices go up again. Like convertibles. If you want one cheap, buy one in the winter.

battery cost like $4.8k to have it replaced.....most of the time battery use if for liftoff/braking and any other electrical shit in the car, if ur using the electrical motor REV mode then it uses the battery....never driven in REV mode b4.....

ps. no sound when car ignition, now everytime i turn it on...u can hear it makn loud noises....