Best Gas Mileage - Pros and Cons of Buying A Hybrid

As everyone knows, hybrid vehicles get better gas mileage than non-hybrids. The Toyota Prius for example, gets 48 miles per gallon in the city and 45 miles per gallon on the highway. Hybrid vehicles also help the environment by reducing emissions that cause global warming. However, there is more to consider before purchasing a hybrid.

Hybrid cars are hard to resell. They depreciate in value slowly, so for only a little more money, a new hybrid can be bought. Depending on where you live, it may even be more expensive to buy a used hybrid than a new one. For example, the 2008 Toyota Prius begins at $21,500. Searching for a 2006 Toyota Prius in my area using the Kelly Blue Book internet website, the used Prius was listed at $23,655, over $2,000 more than the price listed for a new one.

Hybrid vehicles need special parts that are not sold by all companies, as non-hybrid car parts are. The replacement parts for hybrid vehicles tend to be much more expensive as well.

Since hybrids are new to the market, most mechanics have not had the training or experience with them. This means that repairs to hybrid vehicles must be done by those with more specialized training than the average mechanic has, making the repair price higher for hybrids than non-hybrids.

A benefit of buying a new hybrid vehicle is that you may be eligible for a tax break on your federal income taxes of up to $3,000. However, after a manufacturer sells 60,000 vehicles, the tax credit for this company is phased out. Some companies, like Toyota and Honda, have reached that point and tax credits cannot be claimed for their vehicles anymore. Do some research on the specific hybrid model you are considering to find out if you would qualify for a tax credit and how much it would be, the amount varies by vehicle.

Do not purchase a hybrid vehicle only because they get better gas mileage and help the environment. Research the specific vehicle that interests you so that you will not be surprised by future costs and unable to maintain your new hybrid.

Gina Clark writes about financial related issues. Visit her blog for more tips to get better gas mileage and other ways to save money.