Thoughts on hybrid technology

[dmclone]

Actually all hybrids these days do just that.
I'm a big fan of the M35h/Q70h. Check out the stats and drive one for yourself.

But the Q70h is priced $6,000 more than than non hybrid.

INFINITI Q70 Hybrid: The Q70 Hybrid pairs a 3.5L V6 with an electric motor for a total output of 360 hp. That increased power improves performance, and the Q70 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. The EPA estimates that the Q70 Hybrid is capable of up to 29 mpg city/34 mpg highway/31 mpg combined.

So for $6k you get a car that's .2 seconds faster to 60 and about 10mpg better combined. So at $3 gallon it will take roughly 120k miles before you break even from the fuel savings.

[Npop]

I'm all too familiar with that feeling Ilya. Ever since I bought my first super sport 600, everything has been slow.

Update. We aren't getting the Porsche now. We don't want that much judging placed on us. Ha

I know I'm labeled a hybrid fanatic,true, but now the plan will be a qx56 (new body style) with 9?k miles on it for the wife.

[srellim234]

I actually fell into hybrid ownership without really thinking too much about the environmental aspect. Back in 2006 I was given a Prius as a rental while on business travel and really liked the car. I'm a conservative driver and really liked the small exterior that belied the roomy interior. The acceleration is adequate for my driving style. The high gas mileage helped a lot but new they sold (and still do) for such a premium the fuel savings will almost never recover that difference. So, we settled on a 2007 Versa SL that served us well until we sold it in favor of our paid-off Buick Rendezvous when the national economy went south and I was laid off.

A couple of years ago things started looking better so we went looking for a second vehicle that would be better for our longer trips. The 2nd generation Prius was already being touted as one of the most reliable vehicles; the hybrid batteries being warrantied for 10 years/150,00 miles made it a technology we wouldn't have to stress over. We fell into a deal on one with a dealer we trust based on past experience with him. No payments, cash out the door. A year later we were broadsided and the car was totaled but no one in the family was injured. All the safety equipment worked perfectly (side curtain air bags, door beams, etc.) That made it a no-brainer to want another one. We went back to the same dealer and he gave us a really fair deal on the Prius we now own.

The environmental part of the Prius I do pay attention to is the reduced use of fossil fuels (gas). I would have no problem going back to a total internal combustion car, though, with the gas mileage getting better and better.

An all-electric vehicle is out of the question as our trips to visit family take us anywhere from here in southern California north to Seattle, east to North Carolina and a lot of points between. No time for all that charging.