Will I save money by buying a hybrid vehicle?

hybrid auto repair wilmette ilQuestion: I’m looking to buy a new vehicle, and I’m considering a hybrid. I like the idea of saving money on gas, but I’m concerned about the cost of replacing battery. What do you recommend when other clients ask about buying a hybrid?

Answer: A surge in gas prices like we’re seeing now always ignites more conversations about hybrid and electric vehicles. And there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. If you’re not concerned about having the biggest engine or the fastest acceleration, then yes, it may be smart to buy a vehicle that delivers the most miles per gallon.

There are some other factors to consider, too, including the fact that the sticker price is often a little higher than a non-hybrid car. You’ll want to look at your daily commute, annual miles overall, how you use the vehicle, and what convenience and comfort features you want in the vehicle. Will the hybrid models you’re considering meet your needs?

As far as the battery goes, that is not as much of a concern as it had been when hybrids first hit the market. Batteries have proven to be more reliable and longer lasting than (most) anyone predicted And the warranties on those are long: 8-years/100,000 miles on a Prius and 10 years or more. Here’s a great article that talks about the reliability and estimates the cost of replacement if one does fail: hybrid battery replacement.

And when it comes to routine maintenance and repairs on hybrids, your auto repair team at Hong Kong Auto Service can take care of that for you.

One more question we’ll pose to you: Are you looking to buy a new vehicle because you want one or because you want to save money on gas? If the latter, consider how much you’ll have to spend on a new vehicle just to save money each time you make a visit to the gas pump. It’s often better to hold onto that older vehicle a little longer. Here are some tools and resources for calculating the true cost of a new car.

If we can answer any more questions for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to Hong Kong Auto Service at 847-251-0300 or email us at service@hongkongautoservice.com.

Good luck with your car shopping!
Ben

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