Still Debating Hybrids

Our blog has been very friendly toward Hyrbrid cars, and for good reason. They save the environment and save money. Or do they? The math says otherwise.

A hybrid Honda Accord costs about $3,800 more than the comparable non-hybrid version, including purchase, maintenance and insurance costs. Over five years, assuming 15,000 miles of driving per year, you'll make up that cost in gasoline money if the price of gas goes up immediately to $9.20 a gallon and averages that for the whole period.

Regardless of the extra cost, I will continue to hope for hybrid success becuase it means less wear and tear on the environment. That's a worthwhile investment in my mind. But just the same, keep these figures in mind the next time some hybrid owning snob insists "Aren't you sorry you didn't invest in a hybrid yet?