As you know, hybrid vehicles get better gas mileage than non-hybrids. For example, the Toyota Prius gets 48 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway. Hybrid vehicles also help the environment by reducing emissions that cause global warming. However, before buying a hybrid worth another thought.
Hybrid cars are hard to resell. They depreciate in price slowly, so for a little more money you can buy a new hybrid. Depending on where you live, it may be even more expensive to buy a hybrid than a new one. For example, the 2008 Toyota Prius starts at $ 21,500. The 2006 Toyota Prius search in my area using the Kelly Blue Book website, used by the Prius, was listed at $ 23,655, which is $ 2,000 more than the price quoted for a new one.
Hybrid cars need special parts that are not sold by all companies, as non-hybrid car parts. Spare parts for hybrid cars are also much more expensive.
Because hybrids are new to the market, most mechanics have no training or experience with them. This means that repairing hybrid vehicles must be carried out by specialists with more specialized training than the average mechanic, which makes repair costs higher for hybrids than non-hybrids.
The advantage of buying a new hybrid car is that you can get a federal income tax break of up to $ 3,000. However, after the manufacturer sells 60,000 cars, the tax credit for this company ends. Some companies, such as Toyota and Honda, have reached this point, and tax credits can no longer qualify for their vehicles. Do some research on the specific hybrid model that you plan to find out if you are eligible for a tax credit and how much it will cost, the amount depends on the car.
Do not buy a hybrid car just because they improve gas consumption and help the environment. Examine the specific car that interests you so that you are not surprised by the future costs and could not save your new hybrid.
