OT - Hybrid vehicles

[Spur Crazy]

I may have to purchase a new vehicle soon (11 year old car is starting to have more and more issues). Trying to determine if hybrid is the way I want to go. I realize it's unlikely to recoup the extra initial expense through savings on gas. The hybrids of some of the makes/models I'm looking at have more appealing aesthetics and more horsepower that I'd prefer to have. However, I'm concerned about a few things on the hybrids. Does anyone have a mechanical background or know a good deal of info about the hybrids to advise on this.

- Safety - I've heard there is a chance the battery could catch fire even when parked. Being I would keep it in my garage, that would raise concerns for my house.
- Resale - my research shows they have good resale value, however the batteries have an expected lifespan of a little over 8 years and can cost between $2k-$8k to replace a hybrid battery. How can these have a decent resale value if you try to sell it after say 6 or more years old when it's probably going to require a new battery soon?

Do these seem to be valid concerns?

Also, one feature I like on the some of the hybrid models are black rims. I was told it would be near a $2k upcharge for them but someone suggested maybe getting them painted for much less. Wondering if that's a good option- would they look good painted and how long would it last?

 

[Uscg1984]

- Safety - I've heard there is a chance the battery could catch fire even when parked. Being I would keep it in my garage, that would raise concerns for my house.

I don't know anything about hybrids, but if I had any concerns at all about the above safety issue, none of the answers I received in this forum would have any persuasive value at all. Mostly uninformed and completely anonymous opinions are fun when discussing Gamecock sports, but in life or death matters, you probably want something that carries a little more weight.

It's never a bad idea to get comparative quotes from your insurance company about any car models you are considering. If the premiums for the gas version and the hybrid version of the same model are roughly the same, that will give you some insight into what the company thinks about the relative risk of each. Likewise if one is considerably more than the other.

 

[ConwayGamecock]

Still looking for my first hybrid vehicle that can be a car as well as a BBQ pit with a 60" HDTV. I understand that Hyundai is looking into it.....

 

[mickray]

carpros.com

 

[Carolina Doc]

I own a hybrid and I like it fine. I admit I don't know all the fine details of hybrid vehicles, but in general, I think they are good cars. I would not steer you away from getting one.

 

[Cock-o-plenty]

I may have to purchase a new vehicle soon (11 year old car is starting to have more and more issues). Trying to determine if hybrid is the way I want to go. I realize it's unlikely to recoup the extra initial expense through savings on gas. The hybrids of some of the makes/models I'm looking at have more appealing aesthetics and more horsepower that I'd prefer to have. However, I'm concerned about a few things on the hybrids. Does anyone have a mechanical background or know a good deal of info about the hybrids to advise on this.

- Safety - I've heard there is a chance the battery could catch fire even when parked. Being I would keep it in my garage, that would raise concerns for my house.
- Resale - my research shows they have good resale value, however the batteries have an expected lifespan of a little over 8 years and can cost between $2k-$8k to replace a hybrid battery. How can these have a decent resale value if you try to sell it after say 6 or more years old when it's probably going to require a new battery soon?

Do these seem to be valid concerns?

Also, one feature I like on the some of the hybrid models are black rims. I was told it would be near a $2k upcharge for them but someone suggested maybe getting them painted for much less. Wondering if that's a good option- would they look good painted and how long would it last?

Hybrids have been around a long time now. Do you hear about many fires? I don't.

I can say that the hybrid performance is excellent. You save gas in electric mode in town, etc., but they are beast on the open road and interstate. Not sure about battery economics but it stands to reason that production costs should decline as more people buy batteries.

 

[CWW]

I have a 2016 Prius V. Have not had any trouble. Had a 2007 Prius before that.

 

[Greer]

Hybrids have been around a long time now. Do you hear about many fires? I don't.

I can say that the hybrid performance is excellent. You save gas in electric mode in town, etc., but they are beast on the open road and interstate. Not sure about battery economics but it stands to reason that production costs should decline as more people buy batteries.

I agree, hybrids are not really new technology. Acceleration should eb better due to the torque curve of an electric moter versus combustion energy. By this I mean more low end torque. I don't hear about fires eitherdown by 50%. The explanation is new cars have more safety features.

 

[uscfan1981]

buy a camry

 

[KingWard]

I may have to purchase a new vehicle soon (11 year old car is starting to have more and more issues). Trying to determine if hybrid is the way I want to go. I realize it's unlikely to recoup the extra initial expense through savings on gas. The hybrids of some of the makes/models I'm looking at have more appealing aesthetics and more horsepower that I'd prefer to have. However, I'm concerned about a few things on the hybrids. Does anyone have a mechanical background or know a good deal of info about the hybrids to advise on this.

- Safety - I've heard there is a chance the battery could catch fire even when parked. Being I would keep it in my garage, that would raise concerns for my house.
- Resale - my research shows they have good resale value, however the batteries have an expected lifespan of a little over 8 years and can cost between $2k-$8k to replace a hybrid battery. How can these have a decent resale value if you try to sell it after say 6 or more years old when it's probably going to require a new battery soon?

Do these seem to be valid concerns?

Also, one feature I like on the some of the hybrid models are black rims. I was told it would be near a $2k upcharge for them but someone suggested maybe getting them painted for much less. Wondering if that's a good option- would they look good painted and how long would it last?

I just purchased a new Toyota Sienna minivan, their sport model, the XSE with an upgraded package. Gamecock colors with some of the trim and the wheels being black. All of the Siennas are the self-contained hybrids, not plug-ins - big vehicles that get 36 mpg. I have put about 8,000 miles on it since 8/23/23 and have been pleased in every way. I've used it to go to Norfolk twice, Nashville once, Dover, Del. once, Durham, NC once, and once to Melbourne, Fl, and across the peninsula, and back home to Lancaster.

Why a minivan? Because this one looks good and I often carry family with me to various places, plus there will be some golf trips with friends and I want to do my share of the driving. No one has hybrids figured out better than Toyota. They've been at it for a long time, and the durability of the brand is pretty well known.

 

[Gamecock72]

My wife drives a 2014 Prius. Before that, she had a 2013 Prius. Someone ran into her and it totaled her 2013. Drove it back from Mobile Alabama after it was wrecked. It was just damaged on the passenger side where the truck ran into her as he was merging into traffic. My daughter's first car was a 2007 Prius but she ended up wrecking it. It was a great car. My son's first car was a 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid. Got it dirt cheap because the front bumper was damaged and the hybrid battery was going bad. I do all my own mechanic work, so I replaced the bumper myself along with several other parts. I did price a replacement battery but never changed it before we sold it. I think I could have gotten a battery for $17,00. The batteries are not hard to change yourself.

I would not hesitate to get another hybrid.

 

[Thunderstick]

I just purchased a new Toyota Sienna minivan, their sport model, the XSE with an upgraded package.

View attachment 523765

I have never heard of, nor, can I even imagine a "minivan, sport model."

 

[KingWard]

I have never heard of, nor, can I even imagine a "minivan, sport model."

It has 20" wheels and lower profile tires and a different suspension (struts and stabilizer bar) than the other trim levels. When you're on a curve at highway speed or get on an circular exit ramp, it doesn't lean like the Odyssey I had before it (driven 17 years) did. It's more of a road hugger. It also has a sport driving mode that allows for a little more acceleration, but I don't use it much because the vehicle has enough pep in the Eco mode to get me out of tight spots.

Other Toyota models, and even some Honda SUVs, feature "Sport" models now that look a little different, but as to Hondas, I don't know the particulars. My brother just purchased a new Honda CR-V sport model (self-contained hybrid) and it is "dressed" differently from the other trim levels in that line and looks better to my eye.

 

[TN-Gamecock]

I drive a Prius 2013 model. It has 290K miles. You can change the oil at 10k miles, as I was told by a guy who worked at the old Jim Barkley Toyota in Asheville when I bought it USED," that the cars are light and because of the car running off battery too, no need to change oil at 5k." I have followed that advise and saved a ton of money.

Now, I had to change my battery 2 years ago. Johnson City Toyota told me it runs roughly 5K. I thought that was crazy so I found a company called "hybrid battery 911". The guy who works for hybrid battery 911 drove up from Greenville in a 2004 Prius. He stated he just keeps changing the battery when needed. It took him about 45 min. to change the battery out.

I paid, it memory serves me it was1200. dollars (That's CHEAP).. They do offer a warranty with the battery, WHICH I DID NOT TAKE. I will keep my car forever as long as I can keep buying batteries cheap. I keep the inside of my car clean and outside also. SO why change.

Buy you a used model. In a Prius, miles don't matter as much as the battery life.

My car goes just fine in the snow, up and over the mountains without any trouble, and have never ever had a battery catch on fire.

A car is just a mode of transport. You don't need an expensive vehicle unless of course you're trying to impress folks. I just look at my net worth and smile!!!

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

I have a 2016 Prius V. Have not had any trouble. Had a 2007 Prius before that.

I've heard them referred to as the Pious.

 

[Thunderstick]

It has 20" wheels and lower profile tires and a different suspension (struts and stabilizer bar) than the other trim levels. When you're on a curve at highway speed or get on an circular exit ramp, it doesn't lean like the Odyssey I had before it (driven 17 years) did. It's more of a road hugger. It also has a sport driving mode that allows for a little more acceleration, but I don't use it much because the vehicle has enough pep in the Eco mode to get me out of tight spots.

Other Toyota models, and even some Honda SUVs, feature "Sport" models now that look a little different, but as to Hondas, I don't know the particulars. My brother just purchased a new Honda CR-V sport model (self-contained hybrid) and it is "dressed" differently from the other trim levels in that line and looks better to my eye.

You're reachin' bro - "road hugger" and minivan shouldn't be in the same sentence.

 

[Swifty]

The problems with EVs has been some of the plug-in models. There have been some instances of them catching fire while charging. The other problem with them is not so much them catching on fire themselves, but catching on fire peripherally. They are near impossible to extinguish. The building I manage in Atlanta is a data center and we recently banned fully electric cars from our parking deck for that reason. Of course, the "news team" that did an expose on us banning them claimed our team said they could spontaneously catch on fire when we said no such thing. It's purely a risk factor and a 22 story data center has 3 main dangers... water, loss of power and fires.

 

[KingWard]

You're reachin' bro - "road hugger" and minivan shouldn't be in the same sentence.

A man with an experience will never be at a disadvantage to a man with an argument.

 

[Thunderstick]

A man with an experience will never be at a disadvantage to a man with an argument.

A soccer mom is always at a disadvantage regardless of experience.

 

[VZVZ]

Toyota has been in that business for a while. You really can’t question buying a Toyota.

But if you buy a Prius, you will get made fun of. See The Other Guys. America!

 

[VZVZ]

I’ve never been a huge Wahlberg fan, but he is pretty convincing in that scene.

 

[KingWard]

A soccer mom is always at a disadvantage regardless of experience.

A man with a vehicle load of adult golfers headed to Santee isn't a soccer mom.

 

[Thunderstick]

A man with a vehicle load of adult golfers headed to Santee isn't a soccer mom.

If he's driving a road-hugging "sport model" minivan he may be.

 

[KingWard]

If he's driving a road-hugging "sport model" minivan he may be.

A 73 year-old man at that, and you'd like my van if you appreciate fine machinery.

 

[ToddFlanders]

We have two hybrids - one a hybrid engine, one a plug-in that transfers between battery and gas engine. Both great cars (one well past 8 years and the battery is still going strong). The costs for replacement is coming way down as the demand goes up (and thus there are more options coming on the market to meet the demand). It's not a cheap fix, but also not terrible as it is almost like putting a brand new engine in for a couple grand.

The best part of the hybrids - I never know how much gas costs. When you fill up every one to three months, it's not really something you pay attention to. Of course road trips you have to fill up, but when you're just driving in the city, your gas tank goes down very slowly.

 

[athenscock3]

A soccer mom is always at a disadvantage regardless of experience.

Whether you like it or not, hybrids or ev are here to stay. Companies would not be investing billions of dollars in battery plants and ev plants under construction if they did not see a future in them. Check out the massive Hyundai plant under construction just outside Savannah or the massive battery plant down 85 in Commerce, Ga. These plants are huge and cost billions. Companies don't make that kind of investment unless they see a future in them .Are there some problems. Sure. But there were problems with gasoline engines and cars when they first came out but they worked those problems and they will with ev in time.

 

[KingWard]

Whether you like it or not, hybrids or ev are here to stay. Companies would not be investing billions of dollars in battery plants and ev plants under construction if they did not see a future in them. Check out the massive Hyundai plant under construction just outside Savannah or the massive battery plant down 85 in Commerce, Ga. These plants are huge and cost billions. Companies don't make that kind of investment unless they see a future in them .Are there some problems. Sure. But there were problems with gasoline engines and cars when they first came out but they worked those problems and they will with ev in time.

I keep reading accounts of companies slowing back their EV production in favor of hybrids. But now I see hydrogen-powered technology ramping up, which could supplant most if not all electric propulsion over time. This is a very dynamic time in automobile drive-power innovation

 

[The Reel Ess]

I have never heard of, nor, can I even imagine a "minivan, sport model."

We had an AWD one when my daughter was young. It was quite sporty.

 

[Thunderstick]

Whether you like it or not, hybrids or ev are here to stay. Companies would not be investing billions of dollars in battery plants and ev plants under construction if they did not see a future in them. Check out the massive Hyundai plant under construction just outside Savannah or the massive battery plant down 85 in Commerce, Ga. These plants are huge and cost billions. Companies don't make that kind of investment unless they see a future in them .Are there some problems. Sure. But there were problems with gasoline engines and cars when they first came out but they worked those problems and they will with ev in time.

I wasn't referring to an EV. EVs have nothing to do with soccer moms -- minivans do.

 

[The Reel Ess]

Hybrids are a better answer to the issue than full EVs at this point. The grid simply would not take everyone charging at 6:00 PM. I do think a plug-in hybrid combines the best of all 3. That said I won't be getting one anytime soon. We have three mechanically sound vehicles and a so-so hot rod. We have no need for a new car.

 

[Thunderstick]

We had an AWD one when my daughter was young. It was quite sporty.

An AWD minivan? Turn in your Man Card, @The Reel Ess !!

 

[KingWard]

I wasn't referring to an EV. EVs have nothing to do with soccer moms -- minivans do.

You're just determined to be contemptuous, aren't you?

 

[The Reel Ess]

An AWD minivan? Turn in your Man Card, @The Reel Ess !!

I have a 4WD truck and a Z28. I also like roadsters like Miatas, Z3 and the Fiat Spider.

 

[Thunderstick]

A 73 year-old man at that, and you'd like my van if you appreciate fine machinery.

I very much appreciate fine machinery as proven by the car I drive. I'm sure I would not like your (or anyone else's) "sporty" minivan.

 

[KingWard]

I very much appreciate fine machinery as proven by the car I drive. I'm sure I would not like your (or anyone else's) "sporty" minivan.

I suppose some people don't like strawberry ice cream, either. Or shrimp.

 

[Thunderstick]

I suppose some people don't like strawberry ice cream, either. Or shrimp.

That can’t be true.

 

[athenscock3]

I wasn't referring to an EV. EVs have nothing to do with soccer moms -- minivans do.

Sorry. My bad.

 

[mickray]

This is bizarre.

 

[TN-Gamecock]

Whether you like it or not, hybrids or ev are here to stay. Companies would not be investing billions of dollars in battery plants and ev plants under construction if they did not see a future in them.

They can go to Woodruff and see where BMW is building the battery plant along with the New Michelin Tire Plant. You don't have to go to Georgia to see this. I believe SCOUT is building or has built a plant in Metro Columbia that will build all-electric trucks and SUV's.

 

[KingWard]

We have two hybrids - one a hybrid engine, one a plug-in that transfers between battery and gas engine. Both great cars (one well past 8 years and the battery is still going strong). The costs for replacement is coming way down as the demand goes up (and thus there are more options coming on the market to meet the demand). It's not a cheap fix, but also not terrible as it is almost like putting a brand new engine in for a couple grand.

The best part of the hybrids - I never know how much gas costs. When you fill up every one to three months, it's not really something you pay attention to. Of course road trips you have to fill up, but when you're just driving in the city, your gas tank goes down very slowly.

I just top off the gas in my van once in awhile rather than run it way down just to keep the fuel from getting stale.

They can go to Woodruff and see where BMW is building the battery plant along with the New Michelin Tire Plant. You don't have to go to Georgia to see this. I believe SCOUT is building or has built a plant in Metro Columbia that will build all-electric trucks and SUV's.

About to build - after great controversy over the environmental impact, which is really masking a protest over an incentive package, which is large, that Scout is receiving from the state. We have people who would rather see an empty field full of scrub pines and sand spurs than a state-of-the-art plant employing hundreds of people in high-paying jobs pumping huge amounts of money into the local economy for many years to come.