Review Hybrid Cars

We're needing something good on gas, yet has some power at takeoff and looks stylish at the same time! So we think we've found the perfect car, the 07' Nissan Altima Hybrid. the reviews have been great, from what I can tell. We're planning on owning it 3 years max. But I'm wondering if the repairs will be costly? Also, if you currently own this car are you satisfied? Basically, what's the good, what's the bad. I want it all! =)
If you have another car suggestion that would also be appreciated!
Thanks so much!
FYI………………………….

Hybrids are expensive to construct because the manufacturer needs to develop and install two motors instead of one. Plus, the complex vehicles also contain a regeneration system that is used while the driver breaks, gathering energy generated as the vehicle is brought to a stop. These three components are intricate and costly.

The cost of constructing a hybrid car is reflected on the sticker price. Hybrids are considerably more expensive than traditional cars that run solely on gasoline. They are also more expensive to repair. The three systems that comprise the hybrid’s inner workings interact together. When one system fails, they all fail. Since the cars are relatively new to the market, owners can expect to pay hefty repair costs.

The government is trying to offset the high cost of the hybrid car by offering a tax incentive to individuals who buy the vehicles. However, the tax incentive is not enough to cover the difference between the hybrid and the traditional gasoline-run car and it is only offered on a certain number of hybrid vehicles sold by each manufacturer.

I'm just curious what everyone is paying for this vehicle (lease or buy) ? Down payments, length of term, etc. I've read some great reviews about this car and I am hoping to get into one soon. Thanks!

a good estimate would be for every $10k LOANED to you expect to pay $200 monthly, so $25K = $450 to $500 a month no down payment. that the car i want. push start nice.

I really could be wrong here- but I wasn't aware that the Fusion was even available as a Hybrid. That would sure explain why you can't find it.

I'm not a global warming activist, I'd just like to save on gas.

And please, don't tell me foreign cars are better or that I should be a global warming activist. I'm not interested in being converted into your beliefs.

Thank you to all who contribute

The ford escape has a hybrid out that claims to get 33 miles to the gallon hwy and i think 28 city.

Gas mileage good? Roomy? Engine noise? Maintenance? Drive? Issues?

The Ford Hybrid Escape is the most fuel efficient SUV on the planet!
(http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/escapehybrid/ )

It also happens to be extremely reliable, as this article proves:
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/04/ford-escape-hybrid-taxis-demonstrate-durability-on-new-york-stre/
(keep in mind that this article is over a year old (!) and they are still running strong)

I had the distinct pleasure of driving one last year for 3 weeks & it handled great! It also got TWICE as many miles-per-gallon as my previous 'demo' ( a non-hybrid Escape).

It qualifies for THE largest federal tax incentive available for a Hybrid vehicle. (providing that you are the FIRST owner)
Some states & local municipalities also offer incentives.

The maintenance costs are actually LESS than a non-Hybrid Escape. (oil changes are only required once a year or every 10,000 miles…whichever comes first) And ALL the "Hybrid-componants" are warranteed for 8 years/100,000miles.

The resale value is extremely high, IF you can find a pre-owned one… I've only seen 2 pre-owned for sale in my dealership in the last 4 years and we specifically go in search for them!

The ONLY drawback to owning a Ford Hybrid Escape…….is finding one for sale!
There is a 6 month waiting list to order one from a dealer, and every one that comes in….sells FAST.

I'd like to purchase a Hyundai Santa Fe but I also want to be conscious about the environment. I could go with a Ford Escape hybrid but the reviews aren't that great.

If you are considering a hybrid to try to "save" money, guess again.

The price of the lithium battery far exceeds what the car will use in fossil fuel. Not to mention replacing the battery costs more than it is worth.

Hyundai has no current plans to produce a hybrid. The main reason is that Hyundai has such a huge warranty. The hybrid batteries have a very short life and Huyndai does not want to get stuck buying new batteries under warranty.

Simple buisness.

I ask because I'm planning to buy one. I just can't decide which one to get. I looked up the reviews on all the hybrid cars (Yahoo Auto) but still can't make up my mind. I just want something within $20-25K price range. Thank you.

Hi,

there is no easy answer to this without getting more information on what your needs and wants are.

My recommendation is to draw a line down the middle of a piece of paper and put your needs on one side and your wants on the other.

Put this list away for a few days and look at it again after a week to see if your answers have changed.

Then see which vehicles are on that short list.

If you are only looking to buy new, your choices are limited to the Toyota Prius, the Honda Civic Hybrid, or possibly the Ford Escape Hybrid on the upper end of your range.

Consider those hybrids in that order- Prius, Civic, and on from there.

There are other mild hybrids out there that might possibly fall in your range, but at that point consider the standard model (like the Saturn Vue Green Line).

Good luck.

How does the Camry hybrid perform in the snow? and on the highway at high speeds? I have read mixed reviews so far….what do you think??

We have had our Camry Hybrid since June 2006. We went through a rather mild winter with it here in northern Virginia and the snow we got, it did quite well. We never got stuck, and never even spun the tires. It has traction control and vehicle stability control and comes with good quality Michelin tires for traction. We honestly never had any problem with it. Also, it is a dream on a long trip. I am surprised that you have read negative stuff about it. Every review I read had nothing but superlatives. On the highway we vary between 38 and 43 mpg, depending on who's driving it and what speeds we were running. It is extremely quiet on the highway, and quite comfortable. The Hybrid comes pretty loaded, and we added heated leather and Nav. They even use a thicker windshield for a hushed interior! It's performance is quite good between 0-30 mph (stoplight to stoplight) and 40-75 mph (passing). I have attached the link to a professional review on the MSN site (Ann Jobs). She is usually pretty tough on cars, but she loved the Camry Hybrid. In our first year of ownership, we have had zero problems.

You mentioned at "high speeds" and I am not sure what you mean by that, as it means different things to different people. We drive between 65-80 mph on trips, and it handles beautifully as long as you remember it is not a 50,000 dollar sport sedan!!!

There have been a number of complaints with the new Camry's transmission, but that is a totally different transmission than what is used in the Hybrid, which is a CVT.

http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/job.aspx?make=Toyota&model=Camry%20Hybrid

I hope that this helps.

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I'm shopping for a Hybrid and was looking for a site that perhaps reviews the 2008 line of Bicycles.

I have a membership to Consumer Reports already, but don't trust them to much considering that several of the Hybrids they recommended don't have Index shifting (An incorrect statement and something that caught me by surprise considering that this is now considered the industry standard).

So if you have a recommendation, I'm all ears…

http://www.roadbikereview.com is a popular site. Check it out.

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http://review-about.blogspot.com/2007/07/2008-ford-escape-hybrid.html

It's a very nice family SUV with great gas mileage and a great price.

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