Gas Prices

[Maynard]

Is it me or are gas prices going down?

For 'future' reference:

RBOB Gasoline Futures

[NoOkie]

Looks like at least one link to the study was posted directly below my post.

I'd like to see the math that shows buying a brand new Hybrid is financially a better option than buying an economical, gas saving (or even moderate gas using) vehicle that is 3-5 years old. Then only reason I buy used is because I find it ludicrous financially to buy new or even 'program' new. But if you have tons of cash then there is something mentally satisfying about a brand new car.

We always buy 3-5 years out and save $12,000-$22,000.

Whoops, missed the study link over the quote.

Like I said, I'm with you on "buy a used car that's cheap to run". I got a 1 year old Camry that almost half off the sticker price of the new ones and gets reasonable mileage for the size it is. Some people, though, prefer to buy new for whatever reason(Warranty, I guess, or just preconceived notions that used cars are stuffed with saw dust) and for those people that are going to buy new any way, a hybrid may be a good way to save some money on operating costs.

There's also the conservation/envrionmentalist aspect of it that those of us who live in OK mostly forget about because it's not a prevalent attitude here. Some people have strong feelings about CO² emissions or gas use and feel like they need to pay a premium to do their part to use less so it's less an economic choice and more a principle choice. Me, I just get on my bike as much as possible. It's way cheaper to run than either of the car options and satisfies both my cheapskate and liberal tree hugging pinko commie urges.

[BoulderSooner]

hybrid vehicles are NOT better for the environment

[flintysooner]

I'd like to see the math that shows buying a brand new Hybrid is financially a better option than buying an economical, gas saving (or even moderate gas using) vehicle that is 3-5 years old. Then only reason I buy used is because I find it ludicrous financially to buy new or even 'program' new. But if you have tons of cash then there is something mentally satisfying about a brand new car.

We always buy 3-5 years out and save $12,000-$22,000.

Hybrids can be a little tricky. The battery in mine is going to cost about $600 to replace but some are much more expensive. At any rate somewhere after 50,000 miles there is going to be more maintenance that might include the battery. In addition there can be additional wear on brakes, tires, and other mechanical components related to storing kinetic energy. So to the extent that this cost offsets first year depreciation there can be a good reason to buy new. On my car Edmunds calculates 5 year depreciation at about $.16 per mile of which 35% is first year.

[Larry OKC]

Is it me or are gas prices going down?

In some places they are (but still higher than they should be), the "lowest" prices posted at gasBuddy.com yesterday ranged from $3.47 to #3.69 but I saw stations still higher than that. This morning on the news they said there were 2 stations with $3.45 but 4 stations online are at $3.43. Course up in Tulsa their lowest right now is $3.35!!!

[Larry OKC]

hybrid vehicles are NOT better for the environment

Hybrids can be a little tricky. The battery in mine is going to cost about $600 to replace but some are much more expensive. At any rate somewhere after 50,000 miles there is going to be more maintenance that might include the battery. In addition there can be additional wear on brakes, tires, and other mechanical components related to storing kinetic energy. So to the extent that this cost offsets first year depreciation there can be a good reason to buy new. On my car Edmunds calculates 5 year depreciation at about $.16 per mile of which 35% is first year.

There was a hilarious episode of Boston Legal where they went off on how "ungreen" certain "green" things really were...

[Just the facts]

I have seen how our foreign neighbors drive. I will never buy another used car because I can't take the chance that it once belonged to them (or someone that drives like them).

[HewenttoJared]

hybrid vehicles are NOT better for the environment

You are mistaken.