No Wonder Many People Are Disappointed With Hybrids

I purchased a Prius earlier in the year, and I went in with my eyes wide open. I knew it would cost more than say, a Corolla (which I already had), get probably 15 mpg more than the 30 mpg I was getting, and get me in the car pool lane. I also knew about the tax rebate I would get at the end of the year (even though when I checked the Feds still hadn’t figured out how they were going to do it). Personally, I’m very satisfied.

Apparently, according to J.D. Power and Associates, many buyers or potential buyers go in knowing nothing about hybrids… which could lead to a lot of dissatisfaction.

The company surveyed prospective buyers who said that hybrids will cost more than $5,200 above comparable vehicles (about 50% above reality) while they expect hybrids to get 28 more miles per gallon than conventional vehicles. Come on people, where do you get your information, or are you too busy voting repeatedly for your American Idol? J.D. Power should have asked the question a second time after explaining reality. [Source: Autopia]

We Say: The good thing is buyers expect the hybrids to cost more than they do (although I’m not sure $2,600 is right based on my experience. That’s not taking into account that you can, for example, bargain for a good, below MSRP price for a Corolla, but you pay MSRP or more for a Prius). But 28 mpg more than conventional vehicles? Some only get a few mpg over the same model in conventional form (Honda Accord Hybrid, for example). Come on!

Posted: 4/14/2008 9:28:27 PM

Link: lockergnome.com

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