What Do You and Your Spouse Drive?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Let’s look at the popular 2007 Honda Civic Sedan Hybrid and compare it to the nonhybrid version. The Civic Sedan’s average price is $17,760; the hybrid’s average price is $22,600, a $4,840 difference. Next we need to check the miles per gallon claimed for each car. The Civic Sedan gets 35 mpg, the hybrid 50 mpg. If the average person drives 15,000 miles per year, then the savings is 128.57 gallons a year, or $424.28 a year (assuming gasoline at $3.30 per gallon). Before we discount for the future, we see that it will take over 11 years to make buying the hybrid worthwhile. When we include a reasonable discount of 3 percent, the number grows to 14.5 years.

http://www.fee.org/publications/the-freema...le.asp?aid=8130

Just wait until 2009/2010 when Toyota brings out the 100mpg Prius.

Are you serious?

Completely. They are actively working on it now (see article below). My hubby also heard about a dude in California that did modifications to the engine that got him awesome fuel mileage and apparently Toyota bought the rights to his design.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=109981

Sources say the next Prius will also be able to run longer and faster in pure electric mode, up to a sustained 30 mph, which will significantly extend its zero-emissions range.

30 mph???

the key words here are bolded. Once you get up to a certain speed, the gas engine kicks in. They are working on raising that level.

I understand that. On a good day, I don't spend a lot of time driving at or below 30 mph. That would be nice on the bad days, though.

[GaryC 7]

It's a scam! You'll never get the thing paid for through the savings. Fu*kin dreamland!

It saved our ####### for the last 6 months while my husband was commuting 120+ miles per day.

The hybrid is an interesting concept. I have some reservations though. How long do the batteries last? How much does it cost to replace them? I just wonder if you are trading a saving in gas for an expense in maintenance.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I just wonder if you are trading a saving in gas for an expense in maintenance.

I'm sure Cassie will answer, but I do know that the Prius has a higher upfront cost to purchase. The lower the price of fuel and the smaller the commute, the less sense it makes. At some point, though, it does make sense to buy a Prius. What point that is depends on the price of fuel and expected mileage.

[Cassie 8]

I just wonder if you are trading a saving in gas for an expense in maintenance.

I'm sure Cassie will answer, but I do know that the Prius has a higher upfront cost to purchase. The lower the price of fuel and the smaller the commute, the less sense it makes. At some point, though, it does make sense to buy a Prius. What point that is depends on the price of fuel and expected mileage.

We had our Prius for two years -- never had a problem with it, just had regular maintenance (oil changes) and some bodywork done when someone let their grocery cart loose in a parking lot. As far as long-term, I really can't tell you what the costs are, to be frank. I asked my hubby and he hasn't heard anything either about cost of replacement batteries, if you ever need to replace them, etc.

Yes, they do cost a lot upfront. If you are going to do a lot of short distance driving, it costs more to run a Prius when you look at cost of the car per mile per gallon. If you have long commutes or do a lot of driving, IMHO it's worth it. For the two years we owned one, we ran the heck out of it and put on 40K miles. When my husband got a job that's infinitely closer to our home, we decided for the time being to sell it, buy something else, and get another one in the next year or so. But with the way that gas prices are just escalating, there will be a time that no matter what kind of driving you do, a hybrid will be the best bet.

Edited June 9, 2008 by Cassie

[PlatyPius 5]

Probably not any longer... Have you been on the Monon Trail? It's so busy now that it's almost impossible to use at certain times of the day.

Not really, but I don't live or work near it. What I mean by bike lanes is this:

Those are pretty common in most cities along major roads and even in smaller towns on main streets. They are normally two strips, one for bicycle traffic and another for pedestrian, but may also just be a multi-purpose paved strip on the side of the road. Don't step in the bicycle lane when it is marked.

Anyway, what I mean is that the sides of most major roads are created into pedestrian and biker friendly paths. The Monon Trail I am sure it is great, but things could be a lot better. It is hard to compare a place like Indiana to the Netherlands or Northern Germany where biking is built right into the infrastructure and is a strong part of the culture there. It is usually a supplement to the decent public transportation they also have there.

Oh, I know. I was just pointing out the Monon as indicative of the growing interest in cycling in Indy. That many people can't be ignored when it's time to consider other transportation methods in Indy. I think many cities will start creating bike lanes or entirely seperate bike routes. For instance, I can ride from Greencastle to Fillmore without riding on a public road. There are plans for a bike/walk only route going completely across Indiana; rather like the Katy trail in Missouri. These projects, while not exactly related to bike commuting, show that governments are aware that people want/need bike-safe routes. It may take a while, but I'm sure we'll get there some day.

It's a scam! You'll never get the thing paid for through the savings. Fu*kin dreamland!

It saved our ####### for the last 6 months while my husband was commuting 120+ miles per day.

The hybrid is an interesting concept. I have some reservations though. How long do the batteries last? How much does it cost to replace them? I just wonder if you are trading a saving in gas for an expense in maintenance.

The Prius uses "normal" deep-cycle batteries, much like a boat. It's about $1000-$1200 to replace all of them.

[mawilson 2,133]

Sister & Hubster

Make: Chicago Transit Authority Buses (including some hybrid models)

Year: several models

Color: white with blue and red trim

Length of daily commute: (on average) me, 7 miles, 30 minutes....hubster, 14 miles, 1 1/2 hours with bus change

Average gas cost per week: $0, weekly bus far $20 with unlimted ride bus card

Do you carpool? no, but we share the bus with anywhere from a few to very many

Any plans to buy a more fuel efficient transportation? no

That's one big SUV you got there, Francas!

[Sister Fracas 5]

That's one big SUV you got there, Francas!

We like to share our ride...we have sing alongs, chocolate chip cookie exchanges, and weekly raffles...

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

omg... if there was a bus but using it meant having to endure sing alongs, i'd pass... and go get me a Hummer...

[Sister Fracas 5]

omg... if there was a bus but using it meant having to endure sing alongs, i'd pass... and go get me a Hummer...

[GaryC 7]

Probably not any longer... Have you been on the Monon Trail? It's so busy now that it's almost impossible to use at certain times of the day.

Not really, but I don't live or work near it. What I mean by bike lanes is this:

Those are pretty common in most cities along major roads and even in smaller towns on main streets. They are normally two strips, one for bicycle traffic and another for pedestrian, but may also just be a multi-purpose paved strip on the side of the road. Don't step in the bicycle lane when it is marked.

Anyway, what I mean is that the sides of most major roads are created into pedestrian and biker friendly paths. The Monon Trail I am sure it is great, but things could be a lot better. It is hard to compare a place like Indiana to the Netherlands or Northern Germany where biking is built right into the infrastructure and is a strong part of the culture there. It is usually a supplement to the decent public transportation they also have there.

Oh, I know. I was just pointing out the Monon as indicative of the growing interest in cycling in Indy. That many people can't be ignored when it's time to consider other transportation methods in Indy. I think many cities will start creating bike lanes or entirely seperate bike routes. For instance, I can ride from Greencastle to Fillmore without riding on a public road. There are plans for a bike/walk only route going completely across Indiana; rather like the Katy trail in Missouri. These projects, while not exactly related to bike commuting, show that governments are aware that people want/need bike-safe routes. It may take a while, but I'm sure we'll get there some day.

It's a scam! You'll never get the thing paid for through the savings. Fu*kin dreamland!

It saved our ####### for the last 6 months while my husband was commuting 120+ miles per day.

The hybrid is an interesting concept. I have some reservations though. How long do the batteries last? How much does it cost to replace them? I just wonder if you are trading a saving in gas for an expense in maintenance.

The Prius uses "normal" deep-cycle batteries, much like a boat. It's about $1000-$1200 to replace all of them.

How often do they need replaced? If they last 5 years like a regular battery does that means replacing the batteries costs on average about $20/week. Since my weekly gas use is about $30/week then I would only save $10/week at the current gas price. Then there is the cost to the environment with the disposal of the lead in the batteries. I just wonder if people are prepared to take a $1200 "hit" every 5 years for maintenance.

I have also heard that the next gen hybrid cars will use lithium ion batteries. Will those last longer? What will it cost to replace them? I would consider buying a hybrid car if I knew up front what the cost/benefits were.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

That's one big SUV you got there, Francas!

We like to share our ride...we have sing alongs, chocolate chip cookie exchanges, and weekly raffles...

sounds like bangbus....

[chri'stina 190]

Perhaps a question asked for this thread should also have been:

What do you pay for parking?

Cause for me, its not about the cost of gas to drive to work. I take the bus and train because I could not fathom paying for parking downtown near my office.

2 blocks from work it is - $195/month

Adjacent to work - $245/month

I am just too cheap to pay that for a gravel pad to park my car on for 8 hours a day.

Cost of Bus/Train Pass - $60.00

As for biking - its just not my thing. I understand that people do it, that's great for them, but no matter the price of gasoline I would never trade my car for a bike. Maybe a motorcycle, but not a bike.

My husband's office gives them all parking passes for the parking garage attached to their building, so it's free.

If we lived close enough, my hubby would probably gladly take a bicycle to save gas money. lol

[PlatyPius 5]

That's one big SUV you got there, Francas!

We like to share our ride...we have sing alongs, chocolate chip cookie exchanges, and weekly raffles...

sounds like bangbus....

Now how do YOU know about BangBus?

[PlatyPius 5]

How often do they need replaced? If they last 5 years like a regular battery does that means replacing the batteries costs on average about $20/week. Since my weekly gas use is about $30/week then I would only save $10/week at the current gas price. Then there is the cost to the environment with the disposal of the lead in the batteries. I just wonder if people are prepared to take a $1200 "hit" every 5 years for maintenance.

I have also heard that the next gen hybrid cars will use lithium ion batteries. Will those last longer? What will it cost to replace them? I would consider buying a hybrid car if I knew up front what the cost/benefits were.

I've heard 5-7 years.

Lithium Ion batteries last longer than NiCad, not sure about Deep Cycle. Lithium Ion batteries don't develop a "memory", so they charge completely when given the chance, whereas a NiCad will only charge to X% once it's done that a few times (not charging long enough, etc). Lithium Ion batteries are still relatively expensive, although I'm not sure about the comparison with Deep Cycle batteries. L.I. batteries also tend to be about half the size and weight for a battery with similar Amp Hour and Voltage ratings. Ergo, the gas mileage of the Prius should go up due to the loss of several pounds of battery weight and the ability to run longer on the batteries.

Take a look at cordless drills - both NiCad and Lithium Ion - to see how the batteries compare. (That's where I'm getting all of this info.... I'm a tool #######)

[Sister Fracas 5]

Perhaps a question asked for this thread should also have been:

What do you pay for parking?

Cause for me, its not about the cost of gas to drive to work. I take the bus and train because I could not fathom paying for parking downtown near my office.

2 blocks from work it is - $195/month

Adjacent to work - $245/month

I am just too cheap to pay that for a gravel pad to park my car on for 8 hours a day.

Cost of Bus/Train Pass - $60.00

For real... one of my co-workers drives to work everyday and pays some outrageous price for monthly parking pass...and she's getting a discount over what the daily-rate is. And everyday she comes in to work b*tching about the traffic into the city. She lives in the city and could take the bus... I don't get it...