Gas Guzzling by Necessity...
Speaking as a concerned member of the global body, I am finding it hard to act in accordance with what is good for the environment. I have been wanting for some time to be more fuel efficient with my traveling. Currently, I go through 17 gallons of gas a week and travel a little over 300 miles doing so. This 17 gallons costs me around $50.
I have been keeping a close eye on hybrid vehicles, being very eager to send my car to the big junkyard in the sky in exchange for one of these more green-friendly machines. Several years ago when I first learned about these cars, I noticed that the price was well beyond my budget. Back in 2000 I couldn't find a Toyota Prius for less than $35K, and now I can't seem to find one less than $22K. Honda is not much better. The Civic hybrid is running $20K while its less efficient counterpart is $14K.
So, with this data I bust out the calculator and crunch some numbers. If I were to buy a hybrid I would get 55 miles per gallon. So if I were to travel 16,000 miles a year I would spend around $900 a year as opposed to $2500 I currently spend, a savings of $1600 per year. To make up the $6000 difference would take me almost 4 years. That length of time is roughly the average duration that people continue to own the same car, leaving both cars as an equal investment.
The hybrid engines are still largely untested. There is no saying that the hybrid engine will last as long as a regular engine. Plus repairs will demand I go to auto technicians that are knowledgeable of the technology, which will most likely cost more. So the other costs involved influence me (along with my limited budget) to refrain from making the switch to being more environmentally responsible.
So due to the risks involved and the costs, the only benefit is the decreased emissions and lower consumption of fuel. No amount of money would be saved in comparison to owning a less efficient car, but instead I would take on the risk of costly long term problems (i.e. repairs and breakdowns).
I can't help but feel forced to continue to drive my current car, even though it doesn't get great gas mileage. But once these car manufacturers lower the price or the regulations mandate that they have all vehicle meet with higher MPG standards, I plan to make the big jump. Until then, I will be eagerly awaiting and limiting my driving to the bare necessities.
I have been keeping a close eye on hybrid vehicles, being very eager to send my car to the big junkyard in the sky in exchange for one of these more green-friendly machines. Several years ago when I first learned about these cars, I noticed that the price was well beyond my budget. Back in 2000 I couldn't find a Toyota Prius for less than $35K, and now I can't seem to find one less than $22K. Honda is not much better. The Civic hybrid is running $20K while its less efficient counterpart is $14K.
So, with this data I bust out the calculator and crunch some numbers. If I were to buy a hybrid I would get 55 miles per gallon. So if I were to travel 16,000 miles a year I would spend around $900 a year as opposed to $2500 I currently spend, a savings of $1600 per year. To make up the $6000 difference would take me almost 4 years. That length of time is roughly the average duration that people continue to own the same car, leaving both cars as an equal investment.
The hybrid engines are still largely untested. There is no saying that the hybrid engine will last as long as a regular engine. Plus repairs will demand I go to auto technicians that are knowledgeable of the technology, which will most likely cost more. So the other costs involved influence me (along with my limited budget) to refrain from making the switch to being more environmentally responsible.
So due to the risks involved and the costs, the only benefit is the decreased emissions and lower consumption of fuel. No amount of money would be saved in comparison to owning a less efficient car, but instead I would take on the risk of costly long term problems (i.e. repairs and breakdowns).
I can't help but feel forced to continue to drive my current car, even though it doesn't get great gas mileage. But once these car manufacturers lower the price or the regulations mandate that they have all vehicle meet with higher MPG standards, I plan to make the big jump. Until then, I will be eagerly awaiting and limiting my driving to the bare necessities.
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