Since i commute to work during peak time and with congestion inevitable, is hybrid cars is really worth the money? Say Toyota Camry Hybrid for example and other cars in the town what are the pros and cons of these hybrid cars?
Your thoughts please.
Pros and Cons of Hybrid Cars?
mkar18 on 10/11/2017 - 10:41
Last edited 10/11/2017 - 10:43
Last edited 10/11/2017 - 10:43
Comments
You've got to be careful about the battery that's for sure. I noticed someone mentioned 3K for a toyota battery replacement, if that's true, then it's not a bad price at all. I would definitely recommend you find out the cost for a replacement battery first. I was going to purchase a lexus hybrid at one stage, but it was around 8k for a battery replacement, which was a massive deal breaker.
If you really want to save fuel commuting, get a bicycle.
But you need to spend money on food which turn into thermal energy which will drive you forward lets say the average ron 91 refuelling is $50 and in my hybrid corolla i can achieve 850 to 900 km i dare you to buy 50 dollar food and cycle for 850km given thw fact that you are a train athlete
good point, but you'll be sitting on your butt for 900km getting fat.
Calculate in the cost of a dietary program such as Optifast.
Bicycle is actually one of the most efficient means of transportation, second only to ships.
Nop Wrong, it is the MOST EFFICIENT
https://truecostblog.com/2010/05/27/fuel-efficiency-modes-of…
Transport Average PMPG Max PMPG
Bicycle 984 984
Walking 700 700
Freight Ship 340 570
Running 315 315
Freight Train 190.5 190.5
But unlikely to live through to retirement.
Pro: When you hit a cyclist, you can run inconspicuously without engine noise drawing unwanted unwanted attention at night.
Con: You're more likely to hit cyclists at night because they're so quiet
How is that a con?
If you're in the market for a new car, a hybrid car makes sense.
If you already own a car (unless it is an absolute guzzler), both the financial and environmental changeover cost would be questionable. Upside is you'll get to sit a fresher and newer car whilst you're cursing at the traffic should you decide to buy a new car.
I do 25,000 kms - 30,000 kms a year and am considering a hybrid.
However, I have heard a lot of opinion (or facts) that if I do mainly highway travel, it is rather pointless getting a hybrid, is that true?
No its not you can read previous posts from other hybrid owners. For me highway only increases my fuel consumption to 4.6 at max unles im going crazy which it will go to 4.8 otherwise it will hover around 4.1-4.3
Just what I want to hear :). Am considering the new camry hybrid for my day to day.
Go for it and put in pw mode all the time and enjoy :) is it me or i have a bargain, when i bought my corolla hybrid last yeah at le man got it at 25k which is cheaper than a corolla sport zx which cost at least 30k or some thing
Someone else seems to think the ZX is just as well equipped as the hybrid, but just checking the Toyota site you can see it is much better equipped. And not just with fluff like keyless start or dual zone, actual stuff that makes it a better drive like better suspension, safety tech as standard and better seats.
on the hwy how it can save you is if you go downhill or brakes it will charge the battery - then on the uphill it uses the battery power so your engine doesnt have to work as hard.
Very true.
Now, the question is how much do you actually save?
Next, does it actually work? Does the electric motors run when you're doing 100kmph? No point storing all that energy when the motors are sitting idle because you're going too fast.
@CMH: the electric motor will always run, you can youtube the thorough explanation why, in short there arw two electric parts inside one is the inverter and the spinning motor, the inverter connect direct to engine through the planetary gear then wire and cable connect the inverter to the motor and more very long explanation that why it has a weird combination power
Considering I can get 4.9L/100k on my car (based on Sydney to Melbourne drive via Hume), you have to calculate and see if 1L/100k savings is worth getting a hybrid.
Not sure what sort of crazy driving the other guy does, but as far as I know highway driving is just setting cruise control on, and fuel consumption only changes with the gradient of the road.
very true.
How big is your engine? that is very good.
Its either a hybrid or a diesel for my next daily.
1.6L Turbo. Pushes 147kW 300Nm, so you'll even be able to have a little fun with it if you want to over the weekend.
As a Hybrid Camry owner:
It's the cheapest car to service outside warranty.
No timing belt/chain to change, no brakes or discs to change until about 150,000-200,000km due to regen brakes. Actual disc brakes are rarely used, only during hard stops. Brake fluid is crystal clean even after 3 years due to little use. (still a good rule is to change brake fluid every few years but much more forgiving than normal braked cars). Water pump is 'on demand' electric unit separate from engine (remember no timing chain) so it's not spinning all the time thus lasts until death of car. Engine is off during peak hour traffic. I have experienced a 2 hour traffic slog and I think the engine was off 30% of the 2 hours which is 36 mins the engine wasn't running and wearing down (could have stretched it longer if the air con and sound system wasn't at full blast). Idling is also one of the worst thing for engine wear due to reduced cooling. Everything is used less, air filter, fuel pump, fuel filter, oil filter thus they last a lot longer and you can stretch service intervals if you want. (after warranty). 12v battery and electrical charging system doesn't get hit with high usage drains like lights, sound system as the main battery pack does the heavy lifting most of the time.
Some non Hybrid owners say, but the starter motor is being destroyed starting and stopping the engine a 100 times a trip. Hybrid Engine is designed with lower compression and without the drag of timing belts/chains thus very easy to turn over. That's why in Hybrids you often cannot hear the stop/start sequence. The starter is also designed very differently if you look at the size. Next issue non hybrid owners complain about is the hybrid battery. 8 years warranty. Very robust, taxi drivers hitting 750,000km and pack is still at 80%.
After warranty, change the engine oil, filter and air filter, rotate the tyres and you are good to go, all up $80 service for a DIY mechanic every year.
After all the above, the biggest negative I can think of is, IT'S BLOODY BORING AS HELL to drive. No chicks double take at my hybrid at car parks unlike my friend's GOLF GTI where the quick above shoulder double take and side eye happens very often…but my friend pays quite heavily for the side eyes, he has replaced the gearbox in the Golf and changed a few electrical issues. But the chicks, bro. That's about it I think.
I'm holding off until nuclear powered cars come. Only one charge every 75 thousand years and no more than one car crash for the life of the vehicle. Guaranteed.
Nuclear fission !
I found this video very interesting about a 2003 Prius with batteries at the end of their life…
To be quite frank, The Cons outweigh the Pros of Hybrid cars as of right now.
I do see that changing next decade as technology improves to make Electric batteries more efficient and cost effective. Until that happens, I'll be sticking with Diesel Turbocharged Cars for now
What model Hybrid car did you own before to reach this conclusion or are you a keyboard warrior?
Attacking the person rather than the message…
Sounds like the rebuttal of an 8 year old.
my prius does 4.1L per 100km all year around : p
What's the difference between prius and corolla hybrid? size is simiar
in summary, they are alomost same but with different trim,equipment, engine, prius' design is more out there with its ECO looks/marketing, it is also a little bit bigger and also more expensive than the corolla.
@npnp: My mistake, it's an electric motor in place of a belt or chain. It still has a planetary gear set and infinite ratios. A CVT by its nature is smooth, but that doesn't make them good gearboxes. Most manufacturers have moved away from them. Tesla doesn't even use a gearbox.