A Used or New Toyota Hybrid Can Save You Thousands of Dollars

Despite not getting too far while haggling with the dealership, I drove away with my 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid car as a suave, young, 18-year-old only owing $17200 on my used hybrid, which had only 1 previous owner and 7,000 miles. A savings of nearly $5000 dollars (although I added a thousand dollar warranty through my credit union, just so that I wouldn't have to worry until 2014).

I was lucky to get this before the big used-hybrid buying boom grew and ousted me from the competition. My hybrid, which I've had since April of 2007, has not had a single problem, and I've rather enjoyed the 40 miles per gallon as gas prices climb. The smartest investment I'll ever make, I'd hope. But to be sure, I thought I better do a little math.

Imagine I got a cheaper vehicle, without the fuel efficiency, something nicely priced at $13000 getting a generous 25 MPG. Now I've driven roughly 14,000 miles in the past year, so I'll estimate that will continue. And now gas prices will easily top $4 a gallon here soon, so I'll estimate a flat $4/gallon is what I'll be paying. Every year, 14000 miles costs 350 gallons ($1400), otherwise it would have been 560 ($2240). Over five years, the difference becomes $4200, equal to the extra I paid for my Hybrid (again, I'm being generous). In ten years, a fairly good estimate life for this vehicle, my savings rack up to $8400. By the end of all the math, not only did I get a car in brand new condition for $8800 ($17200-$8400), but I am also doing my part for the environment by using less gas, and spitting out less pollution.

Don't worry about the batteries, either. Most experts agree that hybrid batteries are extremely durable, lasting the life of the vehicle, and battery failures occur in as few as .3% of all hybrids sold. Even if you fall in the 00.3% range, you'll be cutting only about $2000 into your $8400 savings.

My advice has to be immediately obvious. Get rid of your SUV, or oversized car, as soon as possible. Okay, wait, I'm sure it's too late for you, because nobody who's read this article will buy it. But if you've found yourself in the market for something new, I offer you savings of $8400 on a new or used hybrid car - a savings I'm sure you won't mind.