Repair-It

This may be interesting. Haven't read yet.

http://www.motortrend.com/news/hybrids- ... 178A559854

The following mini-comparisons are made:
Ford Fusion SE vs. Fusion Hybrid SE vs. Fusion Energi SE
Toyota Corolla vs. Prius c vs. Prius Eco
Toyota RAV4 vs. RAV4 Hybrid
Kia Soul vs. Soul EV
Lincoln MKZ vs. MKZ Hybrid
Audi A3 vs. A3 e-tron
Volkswagen Jetta vs. Jetta Hybrid
Chevrolet Malibu vs. Malibu Hybrid
Hyundai Sonata vs. Sonata Hybrid vs. Sonata PHEV
Lexus RX 350 vs. RX 450h

For each comparison, they start with the cost premium, then calculate the time to break even when driven 15k miles per year, and 30k miles per year.

Without reading it, I am guessing there is no ROI at today's fuel prices.

I do think some used hybrids and plug-in hybrids are a great play in today's market. This would be a perfect direct Rondo replacement (another ugly, tall wagon): http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/5598053440.html My wife has charging in her parking garage at work and her commute is 8 miles of stop and go. Assuming 10k miles a year, 20 MPG and $2.40/gal and a $5k resale value for the Rondo, it would take around 3 years for this C-max to pay back assuming some free charging and the majority of mileage driven on electricity (the Rondo rarely leaves the city of Charlotte, so this is realistic). Not to mention the C-max is much nicer to drive and also 6 years newer, although with the same mileage as the Rondo. With all that being said, I am done buying cars with a spreadsheet and I am just going to buy what I want next time regardless of operating costs (depreciation will still be considered).

Used Volts are also cheap, but the back seat is just too tiny for family use.

Bob wrote:With all that being said, I am done buying cars with a spreadsheet and I am just going to buy what I want next time regardless of operating costs (depreciation will still be considered).

Totally agree. And speaking of depreciation, I still say the best bet is the used premium vehicle vs a newer lower end car. You get way more car for the money. On the spreadsheet thing, my problem is people who say they bought a car for economic reasons but have no spreadsheet OQE to back that up. People try to justify emotional decisions factually and I don't see a reason to do that.

And again, if you are worried about taking a risk, you don't need to buy every car with the idea of holding onto it for 5, 10 or more years. Just say, OK, if I buy this and sell it in 1 or 2 years, what is that going to cost me? You can still choose to hang onto it, too.

Shortest return: Lincoln MKZ. 0 months. Wait, what? MKZ hybrid is a free upgrade.

Shortest return at 30,000 miles/yr at normal pricing: RAV4 Hybrid (2 years, 3 months)
Shortest return at 15,000 miles/yr at normal pricing: RAV4 Hybrid (4 years, 2 months)

Most hilarious: Lexus RX450h. Takes over 51 years at 30,000 miles/yr or over 103 years at 15,000 miles/yr. Because it is over $10,000 to upgrade.

Runner up: Jetta Hybrid (the Germans hate hybrids). Over 53 years @ 30,000 and over 89 years @ 15,000. It's 3 grand more expensive than the Lexus, yet it actually repays sooner at 15,000 miles/yr. That doesn't say much for the Lexus...

One issue...some of this is jacked because they aren't comparing equal trim. The base Jetta is $18,500. The cheapest Jetta Hybrid is $31,940. Yes, that means it costs $31,940 (or more) to drive a Jetta hybrid, but I am sure it includes a lot more stuff than the base Jetta. So no one will actually be faced with those two numbers. Oh well, it's something.