Gas prices problem...

[sumx4182]

Ok, i'm a college student and gas is just kicking me in the balls...so I, like many people prolly, looked into a hybrid just curious as to how much gas mileage you actually do get with those things...and i looked at the Civic Hybrid and it claimed 650 miles on a single tank...but then i looked at the engine and saw that it was a measly 67 hp...now, it has a 67 hp gas engine along with a 66 hp electric engine...am i to assume that both engines kick on when jamming the accelerator? Because i hope to God that it's not just 67 ponies trying to move the car! But it did intrigue me because I saw that if gas prices stay where they are at, i could save 5 thousand dollars over 5 years (somethin like that) in gas money if i drive 100 miles a week with a fuel economy of 20 mpg and gas at 2.99...each of which could change, but i took some estimates there...any one drive one of these? is the power really that pitiful? or is it ok with the two engines? i'd really like to know...

[Mazz]

It takes, according to some estimates, an average of five years to make the expense of a hybrid vehicle, offset the cost differential in fuel. In other words, if you bought a hybrid vehicle on September 10, 2005, it would be September 10, 2010, before you began to see any cost benefit.

Both the engine and the motor on most hybrids, are independent of one another, in that only one is working at any given time. Normally, the gas engine is used for acceleration, while the batteries are charged, then the electric motor takes over for cruise.

[kickarsgrdam01]

i am pretty sure they work at the same time, gas and electric when u hammer on the accelerator, however if u do that a lot your batterys become drained and u don't get the full powe rout of the electric. anyway a hybred isn't really worth it they cost to much, get a honda civic and u will get crazy milage compared to now

[Brad97GS]

Do you currently have car payments on your '99 GA?

[sumx4182]

no, i dont have payments....i paid cash a year ago

[tenspeed]

Just what power source is being used depends on the speed and the throttle position. Both gas and electric are used when first starting out.

The nice part about the hybrid is that when you use the brakes, the energy goes back into the batteries by the electric motor.

It does that a long time to break even on the cost but that would decrease when and is the gas prices rise.

Another couple of factors are the cost of replacing batteries when they wear out and who do you get to repair it when something breaks. I'm sure that the dealers will be charging premium rates to look at the car since the local garages will have no knowledge or experience.

[Brad97GS]

I think that, if you don't have current car payments, then it makes sense to just keep your GA. The reason: the addition of car payments by buying a new car will far outweigh the cost of gas for your current car. Personally, I'd keep the GA until you graduate from school, and then get a car once you find a nice job. By then, there might even be more choices for fuel-efficient cars anyway. :)