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G_Whiz · 06-04-2004, 09:59 AM

KiwiKiwi makes a good point. The benefits of buying a hybrid are based on your individual priorities. So let me try to lay out how it worked for me.

1) My car payments went down by $75 per month.
2) My gas costs per month went down by $75 per month (this was last year when gas costs were about $1/gallon less).
3) I got a $2000 deduction on my federal taxes.

Those are the economic benefits.

The other benefits include that the car is a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV). And, it's a lot more comfortable to drive.

Yes, I could have found other cars that cost less and still had some of the other benefits. But as an overall package, it met my priorities.

I disagree heartily with the suggestion that I bought the car as a high tech toy. Getting new "toy" was not part of the equation. Getting a reliable vehicle that will last me for several years and be fuel efficient during the time of rising gas costs is what I bought it for. I am retiring in 4 months. Keeping costs under control is a major factor in my decision making.

06-04-2004, 09:59 AM	#39 (permalink)
G_Whiz Junkie Location: Northern California	KiwiKiwi makes a good point. The benefits of buying a hybrid are based on your individual priorities. So let me try to lay out how it worked for me. 1) My car payments went down by $75 per month. 2) My gas costs per month went down by $75 per month (this was last year when gas costs were about $1/gallon less). 3) I got a $2000 deduction on my federal taxes. Those are the economic benefits. The other benefits include that the car is a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV). And, it's a lot more comfortable to drive. Yes, I could have found other cars that cost less and still had some of the other benefits. But as an overall package, it met my priorities. I disagree heartily with the suggestion that I bought the car as a high tech toy. Getting new "toy" was not part of the equation. Getting a reliable vehicle that will last me for several years and be fuel efficient during the time of rising gas costs is what I bought it for. I am retiring in 4 months. Keeping costs under control is a major factor in my decision making. __________________ If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?