Used hybrid cars a good bet for today's drivers

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Cars such as the Honda Civic Hybrid or the Ford Fusion Hybrid are better bets for a car buyer who’s looking to pay less upfront and to retain the value of the car in a more timely fashion.

Geanna Marek - THISDISHISVEGETARIAN - September 23, 2010

Now is the time to get out there and purchase that hybrid you've always wanted! What could you see yourself driving? --Ed.

Kelley Blue Book, the trusted source of [used and new] automobile information, reported recently that hybrid vehicles offer a greater value to car buyers. Hybrid vehicles are retaining the average automobile appreciation, and can, thus, be purchased at much lower prices than they were originally sold for.

One of the main reasons hybrids are losing their value is that gas prices have remained consistent and steady for a while, causing a decline in the demand for fuel-efficient cars such as the hybrid. Another main reason for the decreased value is that more efficient fully gas-motored vehicles are available on the market. Technology has advanced to the point that “regular” cars can now achieve at least 40 miles per gallon on the highway, if not more, a number that is fully comparable to many hybrids.

However, although a used hybrid may be purchased at well below its original price, it will still take a driver a few years to acquire any amount of savings on a new hybrid vehicle over that of a... [Read More]

[Mendel Leisk]

So the hybrid premium you payed when purchasing new dissipates at resale time? This cannot be good for new hybrid sales.

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Originally Posted by Mendel Leisk

So the hybrid premium you payed when purchasing new dissipates at resale time? This cannot be good for new hybrid sales.

Low resale typically lowers the new purchase price too. It's good all round.

[Mendel Leisk]

Hey, I'm busy licking my wounds, don't distract me

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Originally Posted by Mendel Leisk

Hey, I'm busy licking my wounds, don't distract me

But you'll drive it 'til it's dying, right, so it doesn't matter?

[ALS]

As soon as gas prices start going up again, so will the retail and used prices of hybrids.

When I was looking for a replacement for my old Volvo in 06-08, I couldn't believe the used car prices that being asked for smaller high fuel mileaged cars at the time.

I was looking at the Celica GT's, Civics, plus a few others and was floored at the asking prices for four and five year old models.

[Mendel Leisk]

But you'll drive it 'til it's dying, right, so it doesn't matter?

That's precisely what I started thinking. If that's typical, then those used cheap hybrids will be only the lemons that owners were ditching. Probably mostly HCHII with failing IMA batteries, LOL.

[EVuser]

It is always about the batteries. Well, almost always......

[WriConsult]

I don't think "drive it till it dies" IS typical. Most people change cars every few years. I'm pretty wary of 1-2 year old cars, because THAT usually means there's something wrong with the car (or, in these tough times, simply that the owner lost their job or otherwise decided to cut their expenses). 3 year old cars are usually ex-lease, and a lot of those sellers are getting the same car new again, so those tend to be pretty safe (not to mention usually CPO). Older cars than that are usually a better deal, but often still safe because reliability is not usually the main reason people sell their car.

I'd be very cautious about a used HCH, and would have to get the pack checked very carefully, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy a used Prius ... and, in fact, I expect to do so in the next year or two.

I do expect gas prices to skyrocket once the global economy gets rolling again, making today's used hybrid prices look like a steal. But I figure I have at least a year before I have to worry about it.

[Ophbalance]

Originally Posted by WriConsult

I don't think "drive it till it dies" IS typical. Most people change cars every few years. I'm pretty wary of 1-2 year old cars, because THAT usually means there's something wrong with the car (or, in these tough times, simply that the owner lost their job or otherwise decided to cut their expenses). 3 year old cars are usually ex-lease, and a lot of those sellers are getting the same car new again, so those tend to be pretty safe (not to mention usually CPO). Older cars than that are usually a better deal, but often still safe because reliability is not usually the main reason people sell their car.

I'd be very cautious about a used HCH, and would have to get the pack checked very carefully, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy a used Prius ... and, in fact, I expect to do so in the next year or two.

I do expect gas prices to skyrocket once the global economy gets rolling again, making today's used hybrid prices look like a steal. But I figure I have at least a year before I have to worry about it.

The one year old car thing... at least here in NC, a good portion are program cars have been released back to retail. That's how we ended up with our Sedona, and it's had no major issues since we picked it up in 2007.