I drove over a hybrid once, does that count? FWIW, the ford's were rated best hybid and car of the year,and they have been competing pretty well when compared to toyota and honda, at a cheaper price price usually.
Did anybody read this link. Funny stuff. I think this is wrong website to Ask about a hybrid. But if you want to talk big azz pick up trucks that get 10 mpg this is the place.
You forgot to account for 1) the tax credit he would get on the new hybrid, and 2) the actual selling cost will be less than MSRP (you can usually estimate about 85% of MSRP, though this varies based on available rebates and financing offers).
But I am with you on the whole, I would rather buy a few years old vehicle and save the money on the vehicle rather than on the gas.
The only person I knew who had a Ford Hybrid had a VERY early Escape as a company car, and to him it was junk - it was in the shop quite frequently for powertrain issues. But this is second-hand knowledge and I am hesitant to offer this to you as my own opinion.
How about a jet diesel? 45 mpg
I'm on board with the diesel thing. Think they kick the crap out of hybrids especially when those expensive batteries go out. My 02 manual TDI Jetta gets 42/55mpg without really trying. It has over 220k miles and hasn't had a single problem yet. Picked it up for $4,500 fully loaded. Its fuel economy doesn't even hold a candle to what they have in europe right now. The Vauxhall Astra diesel gets 70mpg and it's a nice midsize car. The VW Lupo gets over 90mpg, and you can run diesels on used vegetable oil from restaurants. When cars like that become more accessable, I think people will forget about hybrids until electric-only cars become reasonable. I just don't see the point of hybrids right now.
How much is the OK tax credit? An 15% off initially saves about $70/mo.
But does that take into account that it runs 100% electric under 45 MPH which is probably 70% of the wife's drive?
Here is the form for Oklahoma:
http://www.tax.ok.gov/it2009/567-B-09.pdf
It varies by purchase price.
Is there still a Federal tax credit, or have those all sunset?
While I can't speak for the hybrid, the wife and I have a regular Mercury Mariner, which is the Mercury version of the Escape. Driving around town, we are getting roughly 25-27 mpg. Personally, I don't like the idea of the electrics. In the event of an accident, that big battery can be an additional hazard.
Considering also that you would lose in depreciation as soon as you drive off the lot, your tax credit might not be such a great deal. I would consider a used Escape or Mariner to avoid the loss of depreciation. Check out Diffee Ford's website for their used ones. They are in El Reno.
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Considering also that you would lose in depreciation as soon as you drive off the lot, your tax credit might not be such a great deal. I would consider a used Escape or Mariner to avoid the loss of depreciation. Check out Diffee Ford's website for their used ones. They are in El Reno.
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James and I regularly got 50+ MPG in his Prius driving like maniacs.
I very much like the car, comfy with great amenities.
Although I really wish some of the neater small diesels would be brought over here and sold, I'd buy one up quick.
I very much like the car, comfy with great amenities.
Although I really wish some of the neater small diesels would be brought over here and sold, I'd buy one up quick.
