Any nonrepeat Hybrid Buyers?

[fdcg27]

Yeah back in the early 90's that was good advice.
Not now, I would never purchase anything with a CVT. And subydo really needs to get rid of that boxer and funky transaxle.

If you actually need AWD, may as well get the superior system.
The disdain for CVTs here is pretty widespread, but those who own a vehicle so equipped find them to be just fine.
Finally, the flat four is what makes a Subaru a Subaru. A little bit different from anything else currently available. I believe the flat six has been discontinued.

 

[The Critic]

I’m not recommending one over the other as I don’t own a hybrid, but if they don’t drive it much, will the batteries charge properly or have a good lifespan?

Depends. For the first 7 or 8 years, as long as you drive them a few times a month, you'll be fine.

But once you're past 8 years or so and/or there's significant battery degradation, allowing the pack to sit is a recipe for trouble; the cells will discharge at uneven rates and you will get a cell imbalance fault. Sometimes, allowing the car to sit for just 2 weeks unused is enough to cause failure.

 

[Exhaustgases]

If you actually need AWD, may as well get the superior system.
The disdain for CVTs here is pretty widespread, but those who own a vehicle so equipped find them to be just fine.
Finally, the flat four is what makes a Subaru a Subaru. A little bit different from anything else currently available. I believe the flat six has been discontinued.

The main problem is with CVT's the manufactures and dealers don't want you fixing them. As they refuse to sell you the parts, and only want to sell you a $4000. plus labor transmission job. That is the biggest issue with CVT's. What can be fixed cheaply is just not wanted by them. Get that problem fixed then I'd believe you. Flat 4 yeah no reason to have 2 heads on a 4 cylinder and all the required cam drive for them. All just extra work and cost.

 

[fdcg27]

The main problem is with CVT's the manufactures and dealers don't want you fixing them. As they refuse to sell you the parts, and only want to sell you a $4000. plus labor transmission job. That is the biggest issue with CVT's. What can be fixed cheaply is just not wanted by them. Get that problem fixed then I'd believe you. Flat 4 yeah no reason to have 2 heads on a 4 cylinder and all the required cam drive for them. All just extra work and cost.

No reason to build an OHC V-8 or V-6 either, using that logic.
Not too sure that most modern automatics can be fixed easily or cheaply.
I think not.

 

[Exhaustgases]

Not too sure that most modern automatics can be fixed easily or cheaply.
I think not.

Sometimes yes and sometimes no. Actually fixing a CVT can be done fairly inexpensive, they are much simpler than say a 10 speed.
Take something like Hondas HRV special, in most cases its the belt that goes bang. The metal is large enough the filter would catch all the debris if any gets that far and just cleaning and new belt could be the simple DIY fix. Instead of the posted 7 and up K prices I've seen posted.

 

[The Critic]

Sometimes yes and sometimes no. Actually fixing a CVT can be done fairly inexpensive, they are much simpler than say a 10 speed.
Take something like Hondas HRV special, in most cases its the belt that goes bang. The metal is large enough the filter would catch all the debris if any gets that far and just cleaning and new belt could be the simple DIY fix. Instead of the posted 7 and up K prices I've seen posted.

Have you priced out a 6, 8 or 10 speed auto lately? They're about the same price as a CVT, sometimes more.

 

[fdcg27]

Depends. For the first 7 or 8 years, as long as you drive them a few times a month, you'll be fine.

But once you're past 8 years or so and/or there's significant battery degradation, allowing the pack to sit is a recipe for trouble; the cells will discharge at uneven rates and you will get a cell imbalance fault. Sometimes, allowing the car to sit for just 2 weeks unused is enough to cause failure.

My HAH is a May 2018 build, so it's past seven years.
It did recently sit at an airport for a month while we were in Europe and I've seen no issues as of now but this is something I'll have to be alert to going forward.
In the event that the car does need a pack replacement while we own it, the cost is not all that awful at around $3600.00 for a new pack or under three grand for a reman one.
So even if the worst does happen, the fix would not be ruinously costly.
I can also probably find someone willing to play wack a mole and just have the bad cells replaced for much less coin.

 

[The Critic]

My HAH is a May 2018 build, so it's past seven years.
It did recently sit at an airport for a month while we were in Europe and I've seen no issues as of now but this is something I'll have to be alert to going forward.
In the event that the car does need a pack replacement while we own it, the cost is not all that awful at around $3600.00 for a new pack or under three grand for a reman one.
So even if the worst does happen, the fix would not be ruinously costly.
I can also probably find someone willing to play wack a mole and just have the bad cells replaced for much less coin.

Best thing you can do is to drive it a lot and keep it out of the heat.

 

[brages]

My HAH is a May 2018 build, so it's past seven years.
It did recently sit at an airport for a month while we were in Europe and I've seen no issues as of now but this is something I'll have to be alert to going forward.
In the event that the car does need a pack replacement while we own it, the cost is not all that awful at around $3600.00 for a new pack or under three grand for a reman one.
So even if the worst does happen, the fix would not be ruinously costly.
I can also probably find someone willing to play wack a mole and just have the bad cells replaced for much less coin.

I see a lot of HAH salvage battery packs on eBay under $1000, some with low miles. Haven't heard of anybody needing one, though!!

 

[fdcg27]

I see a lot of HAH salvage battery packs on eBay under $1000, some with low miles. Haven't heard of anybody needing one, though!!

Probably good news, since if they're fairly cheap there must not be much demand.

 

[brages]

Not yet at least.

 

[MazdaRanger05]

Depends. For the first 7 or 8 years, as long as you drive them a few times a month, you'll be fine.

But once you're past 8 years or so and/or there's significant battery degradation, allowing the pack to sit is a recipe for trouble; the cells will discharge at uneven rates and you will get a cell imbalance fault. Sometimes, allowing the car to sit for just 2 weeks unused is enough to cause failureBas

As the original owner of 2014 Prius w 160K I abosolutely agree with this concerning anyone interested in buying a Hybrid (at least Toyota version). I have maintained Prius since day 1 @ 5K OCI (the engine does not burn any oil), engine coolant changes every 50K, inverter coolant change every 50K, ATF WS change every 50K, replaced PCV every 75K along with EGR cooler/valve/intake cleaning, brake system bleed every 3-4 years....but now looking at noticeable decline in the traction battery performance. MPG is down 5MPG from 47 to 40-43 along with more frequent engine running when it should not (to load balance the battery) along with more frequent battery cooling fan running. Keep in mind being in PNW the climate is not severely hot or cold .... Advice is if the Hybrid ownersihp/use case it aligned, get it for 5-7 years and get rid of it. I should have sold my Prius during the pandemic. Prior to Prius, I have owned 09 Corolla which was significantly cheaper to purchase, run and maintain (and higher resale value than Prius at the same mileage). Once I replace the traction battery which I am looking to do when the fault code show up, all the cost savings associated with the lower fuel consumptioin will be wiped out. If the brake system fails that will also cost 3K+.....so far the car has been extremely reliable (so was my Corolla) but I believe all hybrids should be used on a daily basis (with severe case maintenance schedule) and be sold within the battery warranty period.