Jon brought up a really good point with hybrids. He's right, for the most part unless you drive a lot... you are not really saving much.
As for the 2006 Accord Hybrid V6... it is asking for $42,409, after $2,000 government tax rebate. Compared to the 2006 Accord Ex V6 for $40,012, a price difference of only $2,397.
According to Honda, if driving 2,000 kms per month on the hybrid - this translates to savings $37 per month if gas is at $1.20 per litre. This equates to total savings over 60 months of hybrid driving to $2,220, almost making up for the price difference of $2,397.
As far as I'm concerned, people buy hybrids for 2 reasons: economics or the environment. While trying not to sound like a "tree hugging hippie"... personally I'm completey OK with spending extra few thousand bucks if it means conserving gas and reducing CO2 emissions.
In Elizabeth Economy's new book called The River Runs Black: The Environmental Challenge to China's Future, she writes "rather than emracing the fuel-efficient, compact cars that populate Europe and Japan, wealthier Chinese follow in the footsteps of Americans, desiring gas-guzzling luxury cars and sport utility vehicles... public transportation becomes a least desired mode of transport"
I think hybrid cars could be the next new middle ground... Now gotta go write this stupid book review for upcoming geography class.
Posted by Jay at August 27, 2006 12:10 PMWell, that's not too bad of a price difference, I guess they have brought it a little closer these days. And if you end up keeping the car 10 years (assuming the hybrid parts of the car are equal maintance) then you will have actually saved 2,000 or so dollars, so yeppie....
I wonder how good the parts that make it hybrid are though, hmmm.... and if they brake what the fixing bill is, especially labor. (I guess that is labour for you? =P )
Posted by: Jonathan at August 29, 2006 12:17 AM