Mary's Columns: Hybrid Cars

The next time you prepare to buy or lease a new car, you may find yourself thinking about those new hybrids — cars that run on two power sources. You may consider them for the same reasons other people are buying them: they save money on gas because they get so many miles to the gallon, they pollute far less than a regular vehicle, and they're often quieter. Or maybe you like them because they look cool, in kind of a funky way.

Here's a short course on how two current hybrid cars work: A gasoline engine and an electric motor work together to power the car, with a computer deciding whether to use the gas engine, the electric motor, or both. For example, when you're coasting, the gas engine turns off and the electric motor charges the batteries. At the other extreme — when you're pressing the accelerator to the floor — both the engine and the electric motor work to give the vehicle the power it needs. It's pretty amazing technology.

So, is this the time for you to buy these alternative vehicles? Maybe yes, maybe no — depending on your needs.

If you're a soccer mom who needs to transport kids, sporting equipment, overloaded backpacks, and groceries at the same time, these cars won't work for you. The two available now — the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight - are compacts, both have front wheel drive and four-cylinder engines. The Prius, which has an automatic transmission, is a four-door sedan that holds four people. The Insight, a hatchback available only in a manual transmission, holds two people. The cars are roomier than you might expect, but they still aren't big enough for many families.

If you're someone who wants to reduce our dependence on oil or cut down on how much you poison the planet every time you drive your car, these vehicles are a good choice because they use less gas and, therefore, produce less toxic emissions. According to Sierra magazine, emissions from U.S. cars are the largest single contributor to the gases that cause global warming. These hybrids contribute much less: the Prius gets 45 miles to the gallon in city driving (52 on the highway), while the smaller Insight gets 61 in the city (70 on the highway).

Both cars cost approximately $20,000, and you will save money on gas. The cost of annual maintenance is about the same as that of a conventional car. A possibly expensive problem is having to replace the hybrid's special batteries. If that happens after the warranty runs out, it could cost you thousands of dollars. (The warranties are as follows: For the Prius, it's eight years/100,000 miles for the batteries and hybrid systems; three years/36,000 miles for the rest of the car. On the Insight, it's eight years/80,000 miles for the batteries and most of the powertrain; three years/36,000 miles for the rest of the car.) And when it comes to vehicle upkeep, you'll have to take your hybrid car back to a dealer for recommended maintenance and probably for repairs, too. Your trusty mechanic might not have a clue what to do with these new vehicles. Resale value remains an unknown.

Driving a Prius or Insight is a much quieter experience, if that's important to you. When I first drove one of the early hybrids, I couldn't help but think how weird it was not to hear the sound of the starter when turning the key. In addition the engine shuts down when the car comes to a stop. I found the quiet extremely appealing, once I stopped panicking, thinking the engine had stalled! When I got back into my gasoline-driven sedan, the normal noise seemed annoying.

There's also the business of refueling. Personally, I hate having to go to gas stations, as it's just one more burden on my busy days. At anywhere from 45 to 70 miles to the gallon, you'll be passing gas stations, not pulling in to them.

And maybe the hybrid cars are for you if you like to be on the cutting edge and you enjoy new technology. When you're driving a Prius or Insight, you'll get to see when the system is recharging itself — what fun! — and the instrumentation is remarkable.

They're not extremely powerful vehicles, but during my test drive I felt perfectly comfortable driving around Los Angeles, even when merging into fast-moving freeway traffic. And if you have to slow down a little (compared to how fast you drive in your regular car), you'll be able to enjoy the looks you're getting from fellow drivers who appreciate the fact that you're helping to keep the earth inhabitable for their kids and grandkids.

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