How to buy a pre owned hybrid

Hybrid vehicles have been the hottest thing in the car industry over the last couple years, but deciding to buy a hybrid isn't as clear as you think. To try to help you differentiate between what is hype and what is reality, please read our guide on hybrids.

Calculating Fuel Savings

There are many factors to think about when trying to understand how much fuel you would save with a hybrid vehicle. For one, it's important to know what you are currently getting. For instance, if you're current car is getting 30mpg then is it worth it to you to get a hybrid? You also must consider that in order to get an average 45-50mpg, you have to drastically change your driving style and make sure that your driving needs fit. For instance if you travel very short distances, you will not get optimal gas mileage from your hybrid. Also, if you're driving at high speeds then the hybrid engine isn't performing at high efficiency. Hybrids do best when traveling below 30 miles an hour with minimal braking and accelerating.

Cost of Ownership

Make sure you know what the lifespan of the battery is BEFORE you purchase your hybrid vehicle. A typical hybrid battery lasts for 100,000 miles and can cost more than $3,000 to replace or repair. You'll need to consult the manufacturer's website to find the details as they differ from vehicle to vehicle. This cost is generally reflected in the price as hybrids depreciate faster. The good thing about hybrid vehicles is that general maintenance costs should be less ' fewer brake replacements, fewer oil changes.