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Payoff for Efficient Cars Takes Years

NY Times -- DETROIT — Ed Moran’s new Toyota Prius was programmed by the dealer to make him feel good about his gas savings. A dashboard display compares the fuel consumption of the Prius and his 2001 Ford pickup truck.

But opting for models that promise better mileage through new technologies does not necessarily save money, according to data compiled for The New York Times by TrueCar.com, an automotive research Web site.

Except for two hybrids, the Prius and Lincoln MKZ, and the diesel-powered Volkswagen Jetta TDI, the added cost of the fuel-efficient technologies is so high that it would take the average driver many years — in some cases more than a decade — to save money over comparable new models with conventional internal-combustion engines.

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Submitted Apr 10, 2012 By: delcomputer

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dave27johnson Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,788 Points:409,345 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 15, 2012 12:42:55 PM Ignore dave27johnson Report Abuse Unfortunately true.
bevmill Champion Author Georgia Posts:2,582 Points:600,545 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 10:21:43 PM Ignore bevmill Report Abuse ok
Skunk63 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:2,559 Points:559,310 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 1:04:46 PM Ignore Skunk63 Report Abuse Or never.
NukeAtComEd All-Star Author Milwaukee Posts:725 Points:338,520 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 8:57:38 AM Ignore NukeAtComEd Report Abuse no kidding - this and solar and wind and ethanol are all pipe dreams with no basis in real market conditions except for the government subsidies!
nb52 Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:7,785 Points:1,547,825 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 6:22:36 AM Ignore nb52 Report Abuse Far too much money for this family.
SparkieMi Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:3,266 Points:589,360 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 1:11:27 AM Ignore SparkieMi Report Abuse Still too many $$$$....
TBONE3 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:8,751 Points:1,977,625 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:53:49 AM Ignore TBONE3 Report Abuse Sure does!
t-w Champion Author Denver Posts:14,154 Points:2,880,425 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:52:51 AM Ignore t-w Report Abuse so the ROI (return on investment) won't happen in my lifetime (and I don't have one foot in the grave) but I'm learning to look at this as a good progressive would; it doesn't matter if what I DO doesn't solve the problem, as long as it makes me FEEL like I'm part of the solution then appearances are more important than facts
Focus2 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,892 Points:1,919,340 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:49:29 AM Ignore Focus2 Report Abuse But the article is talking about cost today. Technology is changing, batteries are getting better with 300 miles per charge and discoveries how to make them cheaper and more efficient are being announced often. There is benefits. With Utility companies switching over to natural gas from coal our air quality should get better too.
Bezalel Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:12,103 Points:2,291,745 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:47:23 AM Ignore Bezalel Report Abuse AS gas prices increase, the savings appear sooner.
Dodge_Me Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,214 Points:556,980 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:46:00 AM Ignore Dodge_Me Report Abuse That's why it's not for me.
blk911 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:2,923 Points:771,115 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:42:04 AM Ignore blk911 Report Abuse Hydrogen is the future!!
Sody33 Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:15,946 Points:1,870,860 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:40:00 AM Ignore Sody33 Report Abuse This is a much more balanced article than the prior one I read on owners' satisfaction. We are satisfied so much so I wish I had bought a Prius. Instead I got a Rav4 Limited 6 cylinder. It gets good mileage but compared to my wife's Prius there is NO comparison. We use her car almost all the time and it drives well, is totally the most economical car we have ever had, just put a bit of air in the tires and a few drops of gas in the tank and run all over the state of Nevada and to Salt Lake, Utah as well. The mileage factor is so good as to be unbelievable. She rarely needs gas - tomorrow will be the first time in months and months. As for me I have not purchased gasoline at all this year. Stick that in your ear. [Edited by: Sody33 at 4/11/2012 12:41:19 AM EST]
Bubba44612 Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,401 Points:1,878,055 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:39:52 AM Ignore Bubba44612 Report Abuse Bring on hydrogen power.
LilRedWagonIN Champion Author Indiana Posts:7,781 Points:1,556,110 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:38:30 AM Ignore LilRedWagonIN Report Abuse Some, like the Volt, will never pay off. After the years trying to balance the increased price with a few cents savings, the battery will go out and need to be replaced with big bucks.
Prodaddy Champion Author Houston Posts:8,380 Points:1,895,185 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:37:05 AM Ignore Prodaddy Report Abuse this is a no brainer
ericbcire Champion Author Nevada Posts:4,525 Points:1,268,310 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:36:53 AM Ignore ericbcire Report Abuse Most people know alternative energy does not save money. It mostly wastes it.
singlemom27 Champion Author Ventura Posts:3,118 Points:641,160 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:36:47 AM Ignore singlemom27 Report Abuse Hybrids and EVs are not the answer!
mcmonsta Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,232 Points:819,520 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:36:04 AM Ignore mcmonsta Report Abuse the buy in sometimes doesn't quite justify the purchase
Double_Golden Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,565 Points:606,360 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:33:50 AM Ignore Double_Golden Report Abuse ok
Bleeder Champion Author Virginia Posts:8,038 Points:1,700,375 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:32:58 AM Ignore Bleeder Report Abuse If it were simple, easy and/or extremely cost efficient, it would have caught on a long time ago.
NO_SWEAT Champion Author Toronto Posts:4,345 Points:1,080,065 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:32:04 AM Ignore NO_SWEAT Report Abuse True
KrsnaDragon Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,412 Points:532,275 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:31:40 AM Ignore KrsnaDragon Report Abuse This is not shocking, and combined with also shelling out for reliability that may be dicey -- battery fires, for example -- it's no shock either that these vehicles are not flying off the lot.
WVUtailgater Champion Author Cleveland Posts:8,441 Points:1,699,660 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:31:40 AM Ignore WVUtailgater Report Abuse just buy a diesel
Rageagainsttm Champion Author Tampa Posts:8,308 Points:1,903,955 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:31:01 AM Ignore Rageagainsttm Report Abuse so true
Buddy2264 Champion Author Tampa Posts:11,659 Points:2,360,945 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:29:30 AM Ignore Buddy2264 Report Abuse I am guessing it is not all about saving money for those that buy hybrid.
frostyWV Champion Author West Virginia Posts:2,339 Points:519,235 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:29:18 AM Ignore frostyWV Report Abuse true
vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:26,926 Points:3,104,650 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:28:12 AM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse i sure love my ECO Cruze and it consistantly beats the EPA rating for mpg
chuckwthompson Champion Author Charlotte Posts:3,755 Points:577,960 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:25:04 AM Ignore chuckwthompson Report Abuse Over priced and over rated might be why people chose not to wait for payoff!
59glide All-Star Author New Haven Posts:858 Points:1,049,900 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:25:02 AM Ignore 59glide Report Abuse The hybird is to small for a plus size man like me and cost way to much diesel fuel is .30 cents more a gal. than gas [Edited by: 59glide at 4/11/2012 12:25:39 AM EST]
arb0526 Champion Author Greensboro Posts:1,981 Points:411,595 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:24:57 AM Ignore arb0526 Report Abuse Yes...love my TDI. 44 mpg/highway for a '98 model. I'd love to get the new TDI but other bills right now are far more important than adding a car payment to the mix.
umitb Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:3,681 Points:844,415 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:24:16 AM Ignore umitb Report Abuse Everybody knows.
HYEgasCA Champion Author Fresno Posts:2,111 Points:910,750 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:22:22 AM Ignore HYEgasCA Report Abuse Wise comment from ShadowAce
ShadowACE Champion Author Boston Posts:9,023 Points:2,150,550 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:22:05 AM Ignore ShadowACE Report Abuse 10k said: "my car is running fine now-since it was de-ethanoled, so i'll keep it, til it or i kick off.." Keep your fingers crossed, 10k. You're very lucky to have an E0 option. Those of us in New England haven't seen E0 for several years now. I'd be happy to pay a few cents/gallon more if it was available, but it's not. Big Brother didn't think we needed it anymore.
TIGERPAW46 Champion Author Florida Posts:7,131 Points:1,356,655 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:20:28 AM Ignore TIGERPAW46 Report Abuse hybrids have the advantage of increased mileage especially in town while keeping the long distance & back up power of the Gasoline etc. vehicle. But EVs are still only best for short trips or in town; so you pretty much have to have a second vehicle if you use an EV.
heartbroken2010 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:4,349 Points:898,510 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:20:09 AM Ignore heartbroken2010 Report Abuse agree.
Bigwaynef Champion Author South Carolina Posts:11,480 Points:2,081,735 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:19:04 AM Ignore Bigwaynef Report Abuse No ethanol period...
ShadowACE Champion Author Boston Posts:9,023 Points:2,150,550 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:18:12 AM Ignore ShadowACE Report Abuse Don't drink the GREEN Kool-Aid!!
Blue_Cruzer Champion Author Lexington Posts:7,525 Points:1,670,560 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:15:35 AM Ignore Blue_Cruzer Report Abuse How true.
10k Champion Author North Carolina Posts:21,261 Points:2,254,995 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:13:05 AM Ignore 10k Report Abuse my car is running fine now-since it was de-ethanoled, so i'll keep it, til it or i kick off..
rawdog1313 Champion Author Lexington Posts:3,304 Points:1,643,780 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:12:41 AM Ignore rawdog1313 Report Abuse Wife loves her Toyota Prius..........
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:5,609 Points:800,300 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:12:38 AM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse Now that I presently agree with.
Matt G Champion Author Boston Posts:4,538 Points:2,774,015 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:11:34 AM Ignore Matt G Report Abuse Ok
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:10,542 Points:1,859,345 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:11:17 AM Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse Payback periods generally aren't short enough to make the upfront purchase worthwhile.
regout Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,955 Points:832,705 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:10:30 AM Ignore regout Report Abuse Keep my car for now.
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:9,857 Points:1,613,225 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:10:21 AM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse One “of the fuel-efficient technologies” costs virtually nothing and that is careful and efficient driving. Another is avoiding the mileage penalty associated with ethanol in those areas where e-free gas is available. We get 10-15% better mileage than the EPA rating for our vehicle and that is a real saving with no up-front cost.
unicornpmb Champion Author Buffalo Posts:8,496 Points:1,630,490 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:10:06 AM Ignore unicornpmb Report Abuse I thought it was about saving fuel, not money.
rxman1 Champion Author Toledo Posts:9,551 Points:1,862,870 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:08:55 AM Ignore rxman1 Report Abuse The current strategy is get the gas prices up, See what they are in a couple of years with no energy policy.
kgbellman Champion Author Ann Arbor Posts:2,718 Points:732,815 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:07:40 AM Ignore kgbellman Report Abuse I think I'll stick with my vehicle for now
TheSicilian Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:5,384 Points:1,470,725 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Apr 11, 2012 12:06:20 AM Ignore TheSicilian Report Abuse thats right