nest editors' blog

about this blog

The latest product picks, tips, and ideas from The Nest Editors.

topics on this blog

Monday, March 26, 2007 8:08 PM

Hybrid or a Vacation?

by Katie

DH and I are going to buy a car. This is definitely something I don't know much about. Growing up, if my parents needed a car, they bought a new one right from the dealer -- and then they drove it into the ground.

But my husband grew up with his dad always buying used cars, fixing them up, and selling them as a side job. His dad is a car-geek and now wants to help us buy our new car. Um, okay... as long as it's a hybrid.

And that's when both my FIL and DH looked at me like I was crazy.

I am on a Hybrid kick. I don't care that they are more expensive. I think helping the environment is more important right now. DH and FIL worry that there aren't many used ones on the market and that we don't know enough about their future maintenance. To that, I just say, "but it's for the environment." It tends to win most debates.

On the way back from my FIL's, DH said to me, Okay, we can buy a hybrid, but because they are so much more expensive, we won't be able to go on vacation for a year.  So then it came down to it -- helping the environment or helping myself.

I'm sorry Nesties, but this is a very hard decision.

Last night, DH and I went online and searched for cars. He pulled up a 2006 Lexus SUV and a 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid -- they were the same price. He's like, which do you want, the compact Ford SUV or the larger newer Lexus?

My DH definitely knows how to push my materialistic and self-serving buttons. But in the end, I didn't cave. The Escape, I said. And seriously, when we compared the gas mileage details, the Escape had a bigger gas tank and such better mileage it was ridiculous. Plus, we've driven the Escape before (in a test drive we did for The Nest -- read it here!) and we loved it.

But is the environment worth giving up a Lexus and a vacation? Sometimes I wish I never saw An Inconvenient Truth!

What kind of car do you drive? Anyone else looking into hybrids for their next purchase? Anyone have a hybrid and have any tips? Please share!

To find out more on hybrids, here's a Q&A we did the pros and cons: http://www.thenest.com/articles/article_life.aspx?articleid=A60928104353

 

Posted by Nest Katie
Filed under:

Comments

re: Hybrid or a Vacation?

Personally, I dont care for Escapes, they just didnt thrill me.  I've never driven a Lexus, though my aunt-in-law has one.  I ended up buying a Mustang, I just couldnt convince myself to go SUV after that.  ;)  I would (and did) get a vehicle that you love, enjoy driving, and can see yourself still owning in when it hits 150,000 miles.  Get your money's worth out of it, hybrid or not.

If you really need a car foregoing vacation for one year isnt bad ... but if you can live with fewer bells and whistles on your new SUV you might be able to do both.      

Posted by softthunder    Monday, March 26, 2007 2:56 PM


re: Hybrid or a Vacation?

So the Hybrid Escape looked great compared to the Lexus SUV, but did you compare a Hybrid Escape vs. a regular Escape?  Often the mileage differences between hybrid and regular SUV's are negligible.  If you live in a colder climate, or do a lot of highway driving, it's even less worth it.  A hybrid car vs. a regular car might be worth it, but a hybrid SUV might not be.  Just something to keep in mind.  Also - consider the frequency of needing to change batteries, and ask yourself where those batteries (and the chemicals in them) go when they're worn out...

Hybrids are getting there, but, as an environmental scientist by trade, I'm not sure if they are as much of "an answer" as it's popular to believe... especially the SUV's.

If you're truly interested in giving up some personal comforts in order to help the environment, why not go for a compact car or even a fuel-efficient sedan instead of getting the SUV?  If you want cargo room - go for a sports wagon...

Posted by ditribal    Monday, March 26, 2007 3:06 PM


re: Hybrid or a Vacation?

I gave up my 4 wheel drive Ranger a little over a year ago.  When gas prices got to expensive I traded it in.  I only drive about 5 miles to work so it wasn't a big deal, but I couldn't see wasting money/gas.

I now have a Chevy Impala.  It gets about 25-27 miles per gallon and has a lot of room in it.  It is sporty (for a 4 door car) and it gets around good in the snow, ice and on gravel.  So far so good and I only fill up about once every 10 -14 days, instead of once a week.

Have you thought about a car that is a flex fuel car?  I don't know much about them, but I know ethenol is from corn so that has to be better on the enviroment.  

Posted by Monikeeb    Monday, March 26, 2007 3:12 PM


re: Hybrid or a Vacation?

Look at turbo diesels.  We have a Jetta that gets 50 MPG and doesn't have all the fancy electronics and toxic batteries (that, remember, will end up in a landfill).  Hybrids aren't actually all that great.  They are not built efficiently (travel all over the world to get produced) and take you years and years to recoup the costs.

Some reading if you are interested:

How much does it cost to put a Prius on the road?

http://clubs.ccsu.edu/Recorder/editorial/editorial_item.asp?NewsID=188

What the prius is doing for the environment

http://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/the-toyota-prius-is-bad-for-the-environment.12657.html

Posted by cathryn_in_va    Tuesday, March 27, 2007 7:11 AM


re: Hybrid or a Vacation?

As an Environmental Scientist, and also on the quest to find the most environmental vehicle possible (my #1 priority in buying a vehicle) I agree with the diesel route over the hybrid.  And, since you have a car-minded person in your family, you can quite easily make your own biodiesel at home (I am starting this process myself).  There is a great deal of information on the internet regarding this.  When selecting a vehicle based on environmental standards, there are so many things to consider!  For example, if you commute 30 miles to and from work, every day, you won't tap into what a hybrid car can offer (although, if you mainly drive around the city, it is a better option).  A hybrid operates on electric only at low speeds (so it's not burning gas during stops and starts). Every stop recharges the battery. Because of this, hybrids get better city mileage than on the highway, where the combustion engine is doing most of the work.  Also, at the mention of a sports-wagon.  Be cafeful with these if the environment is a main concern.  A vehicle such as the subaru wagon (for example) is specified as a light-duty truck and/or small SUV (depending on the exact model/year).  That means that this vehicle has to conform to the EPA standards of fuel efficiency and emissions at those levels.  Don't be fooled into thing you are buying a small car!  You are buying a truck/SUV.  If you opt not for the hybrid or diesel (using biodiesel), there are flex-fuel options as mentioned above (E-85).  Or...look for a small, fuel efficient car such as the Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris or Carolla.  And keep your eyes out in the years to come.  Great advances are being made with hydrogen-cell technology.  The best thing we can all do is limit our driving!  I chose to live in a city with GREAT public transportation and in a neighborhood where I can walk to the grocery store, etc. so I can limit my driving to once or so on the weekends for errands.  It is so great to see so many people (especially on this board!) taking such an active interest in protecting our home!  :)  Now...how can we get the rest on board?

Posted by jenniberg82    Tuesday, March 27, 2007 12:39 PM


re: Hybrid or a Vacation?

I agree with the PP - my husband is a tooling engineer for cars and is a huge car nut. He claims that hybrids are actually WORSE for the environment than a regular car. So no way would I give up a vacation so that I could help destroy the environment!

Posted by WendyGR    Tuesday, March 27, 2007 12:42 PM


re: Hybrid or a Vacation?

"Hybrid SUV" sounds like an oxymoron. Why not just buy a regular small(er) car with good fuel economy? I find it odd that so many people drive huge cars in this country and most of the time you only see one passenger and their biggest load is like a week's worth of groceries. It's crazy. A small or mid sized vehicle easily seats 4 or 5 and there's plenty of room in the trunk for said groceries and then some. Plus, on newer cars the seats go down to fit larger items. If you found An Inconvenient Truth informative you should also see Addicted to Oil, a Discovery/Times documentary with Thomas Friedman reporting. There are interesting bits about very lightweight cars, the problem with Hydrogen fueled cars, etc.

Posted by mr+ms    Tuesday, March 27, 2007 4:28 PM


re: Hybrid or a Vacation?

Personally, I don't see the point of a hybrid SUV, or any SUV for that matter.  Unless you have a huge family, live in the wilderness, or go camping on a weekly basis.  If none of these are true, a regular car is going to just as well for you and be much more environmentally sound.  The Ford Escape's 34 MPG isn't really very impressive compared to, say, a Toyota Corolla that gets 36MPG and isn't even a hybrid.  Plus, you can get a used Corolla for substantially less than a Lexus.  So I'd go for the used Corolla and the vacation if I had to choose.

Posted by n&bcarlson    Tuesday, March 27, 2007 7:27 PM


re: Hybrid or a Vacation?

I have a Prius, and honestly I am very disapointed in what the actual gas mileage is compared to what they tell you the gas mileage will be. It really sucks because we thought we would be cutting back on gas, which in reality I fill up the tank just a much as if I were driving my 1997 civic. And the argument about it being better for the environment, well that goes out the window when you look at the fact that the actual manufacturing process is not a "green" or environmentally safe process. I think I heard it sends more pollution into the air then when manufacturing a "regular" car. I'd say pick the vacation, or you could end up regretting your decision with a $500 monthly payment for a car that doesn't live up to its main selling point.

Posted by Jewel531    Wednesday, March 28, 2007 9:14 AM


re: Hybrid or a Vacation?

MNy dad just bought a Prius and it is awesome!  It is red and has a navigation system, a camera to show if there is anything behind you, you can hook up your phone to the radio to talk hands free, you start the car by pushing a button.  It's such a smooth ride and he has only had to fill the gas tank once in three weeks!  (And he commutes to work 20 min each way).  I really want to get one myself, knowing how much it helps the environment and how much money you save on gas.  Anyway, I'd go for the car and skip vacation or just take a weekend trip somewhere.  Hey, why not take a little roadtrip in your new car?

Posted by jsillyfun    Tuesday, April 03, 2007 3:02 PM


Anonymous comments are disabled