...is airing a report on whether hybrid cars make economic sense. Will be interesting if they address just personal economy, or the bigger picture...

Fred

 

I just don't see how they will be able to continue saying they don't make economic sense.

I bought my Insight for $11,000 with 37K on it.

25000 miles a year / 25 MPG = 1000 gallons x $2.85 = $2850

25000 miles a year / 63 MPG = 396 gallons x $2.85 = $1128

Total savings a year = $1722

Sorry to hijack.


Bottom line,

 

When people make arguments that they don't make economic sense, usually they omit the fact that oil and gasoline will rise in price due to the nature of a limited supply and growing demand. There is no avoiding it on a global scale, even if we can stop our growth in consumption (yeah right) the rest of the world will still have growth, especially as poor countries adopt our old technology. Each year as the price of gas rises there will be larger and larger 'savings' over the non-hybrid choice and this is rarely taken into account, you'll see stuff like "at $2.50 a gallon..." which totally ignores the fact that each year the price will rise from here on. This isn't related to nominal inflation of goods and services, although it probably will 'fuel' further inflation, it's not rising because of inflation.

 

35 MPG with the Prius II WTH !?!?!?!?!?!?!?

What are they doing?

 

That was by far the worst report I have ever seen.

They trashed hybrids, never showed the bright side of them, and dismissed everything they stand for.

That was the single worst piece of "journalism" I have ever experienced. It's quite obvious to me they couldn't be bothered to do something we know as RESEARCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!

 

Boy oh boy.. I'm sorry.. 3 posts in a row. I know it's a Forum Faux-pa but I am just FUMING over that report.

I really hope that the media will eventually do a REAL story about hybrids. Maybe the fantastic 4 & their Prius 100 effort will show people the truth.

 

It's no big shock, really... I mean look at what they fed us before the invasion and occupation of Iraq!

It's business as usual, promote SUVs, denounce Hybrids and cheer on Operation Iraqui Liberation.

 

Here is the MSNBC article if you want to read it.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8975473/

I sent NBC news a message telling them how disappointed I was in the report. I think you would have to try to get 35 mpg by driving as inefficiently as you could. I kept yelling "idiot" at the guy from Consumer Reports as I watched the story. Not a proud moment, but I think you know what I mean.

 

They reran this "story" on Today, er, today. I wouldn't have caught it had I not been in the dealership changing the oil...in the midst of yet another 50mpg tank.

Then they had their consumer advocate talking about how to find cheap gas. Whatevs, as the kids say today.

 

These journalist are worried more about their career and ratings than the environment or the coming energy crisis. I drive a Prius now since my commute is 75 miles each way. I save big every day!. Gave my BMW to my wife and I don't miss it. If not Hybrids then what else in the next 5 years NBC?