Altima vs. the Altima hybrid

[winner's circle]

Hey everyone, I'm new here and just wanted to stop in and introduce myself. I don't own an Atlima yet (I've got an old beat up civic) but I've been looking.

Recently I've come to the decision that I do want an Altima and I'm planning on going through with it sometime this March. I joined up to help out with doing research on it.

My main problem now is I've been looking at the Altima Sedan but I'm torn between the gas model and the hybrid. I'm thinking I want to go with the hybrid model, but I've never owned or driven a hybrid before. They say they're just like a gas model, so I'm not too worried. I just want to confirm that first and see if you guys knew of any great differences or could give me a run down between the two types. I'm not really a car guy so any help you could give would be great.

[rjdmmfl1]

Hey everyone, I'm new here and just wanted to stop in and introduce myself. I don't own an Atlima yet (I've got an old beat up civic) but I've been looking.

Recently I've come to the decision that I do want an Altima and I'm planning on going through with it sometime this March. I joined up to help out with doing research on it.

My main problem now is I've been looking at the Altima Sedan but I'm torn between the gas model and the hybrid. I'm thinking I want to go with the hybrid model, but I've never owned or driven a hybrid before. They say they're just like a gas model, so I'm not too worried. I just want to confirm that first and see if you guys knew of any great differences or could give me a run down between the two types. I'm not really a car guy so any help you could give would be great.

IMO, due to the difference in cost, it is NOT worth it.. it would take FOREVER to make up the difference in price of the vehicle through gas savings.... do the math, and you'll see its not a wise decision financially!

[marlin29311]

IMO, due to the difference in cost, it is NOT worth it.. it would take FOREVER to make up the difference in price of the vehicle through gas savings.... do the math, and you'll see its not a wise decision financially!

Agreed - if you buy the 4 cylinder altima (the 2.5), you are already going to be getting great gas mileage - people get upwards of 35 mpg's on the highway with them, and that overall extra costs of having to buy the hybrid is not going to make a difference in your wallet in the long run,

[beeristasty]

I'd go with the hybrid if most of my driving was in the city.

[AppleBonker]

Keep in mind the cost of replacing the battery. Last I read they cost a couple thousand to replace, and they only last about 100k miles (I could be wrong, I don't research hybrids enough since I've never been interested). With that added cost, hybrids currently aren't a very wise financial decision. The only benefit I can see is if you really want to be green. I say stick with a normal 2.5 if you're worried about gas costs.

And I went from a civic to an Altima. What a great decision that was. I had a '99 Civic Si, and the Altima owns it hands down (especially the 3.5).

[brother_vlad]

can't beat hybrid mpg if you're driving in the city. If you have 50/50 city/highway driving it won't worth it

[Mr.Coupe]

Like stated above you would have to see where most of your driving is done. Either the city or highway. The price is the difference. I have read articles that state that it will take the owners of hybrids a period of 20 years in order to make up/save the price difference of the cost from a hybrid to a regular gas car. That includes gas savings and whatever else is saved. Welcome to the forums dude. Whatever decision you make is welcome with us and you are welcome in the forums as a member.

My futher thoughts:I have put much thought into this "GOING GREEN" thing with hybrid's. OK lets say that people are going green right now, but what about the future when those cars have to be disposed of. Battery fluid or acid is not an easy thing to get rid of.

Ricky C.

[ohiostate]

Agree with everyone else...

I would just buy a 2.5 Alt, I dont think you would make up the difference gas saved by buying a hybrid

I get an average of 28.3mpg..(50/50 split highway and city)

[LinkNuc]

Agree as well, they get in a fight, gas engine wins, gas engine man

[victore1123]

I went with the hybrid and I couldn't be happier with it. You could probably get a pretty decent deal on one with the gas prices lower. Either way i'm sure you'll be happy with the Altima. Good luck...

[ScoopLV]

IMO, due to the difference in cost, it is NOT worth it.. it would take FOREVER to make up the difference in price of the vehicle through gas savings.... do the math, and you'll see its not a wise decision financially!

I disagree.

I bought my '07 Hybrid with 25,000 on the odometer for $19,000. Getting 37mpg (without really changing my driving style), it won't take long before I see a fuel savings compared to the price of buying "just another" sedan. But there's more to a hybrid than just dollars and cents.

I like the fact that when I stop at a light, the engine shuts off. I also like the fact that when I apply the brakes, I'm storing the kinetic energy of the car. When regenerative shocks become available, I'll put those in, too -- it makes a lot of sense to me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R...orber

I think hybrids make more sense (financial and environmental) in urban environments than out in the country. But I'm happy with the Altima on many levels (the only negative for me is trunk space.)

EDIT - I forgot to mention, I do almost 100% city driving. And I get 600+ miles per tank without really trying. That's a huge improvement over my last car. Even with gas at $2.50, it helps. If gas goes back to $4.50, well, that's another story.
Modified by ScoopLV at 8:00 AM 4/11/2009