For owners of the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape hybrid, the chances of owners breaking even or saving money are pretty good. That, however, may not the case with owners of the Toyota Highlander hybrid or other larger hybrids, unless of course, the owners drive many miles and hold on to them well beyond what most owners do.
Snippet: "Our study revealed that high gas prices and generous tax credits now offset the high sales prices of some hybrids, assuming owners keep their hybrids for a few years," said Alex Rosten, Manager of Pricing and Market Analysis for Edmunds.com...
ateixeira says:
01:26 PM, 09/ 5/06
I say just buy a Matrix rather than getting a Prius. Save $10 grand and you can buy a lot of gas.
Or an Outback wagon rather than a Highlander Hybrid (some models are even FWD).
Spend less in the first place.
moparbad says:
02:13 PM, 09/ 5/06
Eliminate the tax credits, (Credit's for Toyota Hybrids begin disappearing on October 1) and hybrids become even less cost effective.
ateixeira says:
08:17 AM, 09/ 6/06
True, but that's only for Toyota. You still get full credits from Ford, and soon from Saturn. They won't sell enough of them.
I do think the idea of a Lexus RX400H buyer getting a tax credit to help buy a luxury SUV is rather ridiculous.
The government should change the rules so that only PZEVs that also use, say, 40% less fuel than the CAFE standard for its class, something like that.