10 Questions to Ask when Buying a Hybrid Car

The best hybrid car for your neighbor may not necessarily be the right type for you. A guide for buying hybrid cars gives you an opportunity to look past the hype, whittle down sales pitches to reality and formulate 10 questions to ask before even taking a test drive.

1. Is it a full hybrid?

Not all hybrid cars are created equal. As pointed out by CNET, the Toyota Prius is the most famous example of a full hybrid. The driver hoping to reduce the cost of gasoline will be richly rewarded at the pump. A mild hybrid, such as the Honda Insight, does not compare favorably when pitched against the gasoline guzzlers.

2. How far does the series hybrid drive on a single charge?

An electric motor operates the wheels in these models. The Chevy Volt drives 40 miles using this motor -- before the gasoline engine purrs into being. Drivers with relatively short daily commutes should be able to avoid the gas pump for extended periods of time.

3. What is the best hybrid car for towing?

Hybrid Cars reveals that Toyota and Honda recommend that drivers do not tow anything behind their hybrids. Granted, owners disregard this recommendation all the time, but if you are a frequent tower, consider that willful failure to heed the owner's manual's limitations can void a warranty.

4. When was the car started up?

When buying a hybrid car from a private party, make sure that it was started at least once every three months. Even the best hybrid car battery will begin to malfunction after 90 days of continued inactivity.

5. Are hybrid car prices at their lowest point this year?

It is an open secret that hybrid cars are more expensive than gas models. Edmunds places the price difference at 20 percent. When the price at the pump drops, resale values generally get sluggish. A feeding frenzy occurs when the price at the pump skyrockets.

6. How basic are the cheap hybrids?

No guide for buying hybrid cars would be complete without mentioning that basic models are sometimes a bit more "basic" than the current owner of a base model gas guzzler realizes. It is a good idea to have the standard amenities and the available upgrades enumerated -- in writing -- to compare apples to apples.

7. Will I need to replace the battery soon?

Hybrid car prices pale when compared to the cost of replacing the battery -- a cost frequently in the neighborhood of $3,000 to $7,000. There is a persistent myth that after two to three years, the battery needs to be replaced. Manufacturers and die-hard supporters contend that the battery life is equal to the life of the car. Anecdotal horror stories -- and online posts by disgruntled hybrid owners -- beg to differ. Hedge your bets by having the dealer highlight the battery warranty clause in the contract.

8. What is the trunk space trade-off?

The battery pack eats up an average four cubic feet in hybrids that draw from the sedan design. Conversely, a "dedicated hybrid" model does not suffer this type of cargo space loss.

9. What is the best hybrid car for me?

Ask your sales person to give you the low-down about the various models with respect to driving intricacies. It is a well-known fact that Toyota models are excellent choices for stop-and-go traffic, while other models may not be quite as eco-friendly in this environment.

10. Do you have a Car Fax report?

No matter how reputable the dealership or the personal friend of a friend, do not buy hybrid cars (used) until and unless you can verify the history of the vehicle.