[dulsi]

Saw this the other day and thought others might be interested.

Half of the cars on the Environmental Protection Agency's new top 10 fuel sippers list, 1984 to present, are 2012 models, marking the first time that newer, high-tech models are ousting the older, low-tech small cars that have been on the list for more than two decades. The "all-time" list is actually comprised of cars from 1984 to present.

[bwilson4web]

The EPA site lists these cars:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/topten.jsp

• 112 MPG - Mitsubishi i-MiEV
• 99 MPG - Nissan Leaf
• 62 MPG - Azure Dynamics Transit Connect Van
• 60 MPG - Chevy Volt
• 50 MPG - Toyota Prius (*)
• 44 MPG - Honda Civic Hybrid (*)
• 42 MPG - Toyota Prius V (wagon)
• 42 MPG - Lexus CT 200h
• 42 MPG - Honda Insight (*)
• 41 MPG - Toyota Camry Hybrid

* - first models available in 2000-01

It has been an interesting decade for fuel efficient cars. It started with the Prius and Honda hybrids to near universal skepticism. Even today, we hear the echos. Now, there are so many more options with only a few hold-outs.

Bob Wilson

[tbale454]

Yes those are some staggering numbers, but at what price? To get your moneys worth out of a hybrid, you would have to keep it for 10 or 15 years. That is compared to convectional gasoline vehicle. Hybrids are 30% more at the dealership, and the amount you save at the pump on average is really not worth it. The sticker prices are much too high for the fuel savings in comparison with gasoline vehicles.

[GeorgiaHybrid]

tbale454 said:

Yes those are some staggering numbers, but at what price? To get your moneys worth out of a hybrid, you would have to keep it for 10 or 15 years. That is compared to convectional gasoline vehicle. Hybrids are 30% more at the dealership, and the amount you save at the pump on average is really not worth it. The sticker prices are much too high for the fuel savings in comparison with gasoline vehicles.

You need to check your math.....My Camry cost $800 (+/-) more than a comparably equipped V6 Camry SE when I bought it in 2007. I now have just under 100,000 miles on it, have averaged over 40 mpg, I am on my second set of tires and the brake pads should be good for another 150,000 miles or so based on current wear.

Given a cost per gallon of $3.00 (rarely that low in the 2007 to current time frame), I have saved $2,500 over a regular Camry I4 which has less performance than my hybrid and only gets around 30 mpg on the hwy (which is what I used as the city mileage would make things worse for the regular Camry).

When you check the total cost of ownership (including fuel, maintenance, depreciation, taxes and base cost, you will find the numbers will favor a hybrid for total expenditures. Mind you, I only care about the green in my wallet as I also have a Ford F-150, F-250 and the wife drives a 4WD Pilot. I did the math, bought the Camry and never looked back.

By the way, if you would get rid of that dog of a BB Chevy motor and step up to a 428 Boss Semi-Hemi, you could clear your mind and start understanding just how nice a hybrid can be.....