Should I buy a Hybrid?

[ekpolk]

2k3TRD:

No offense taken -- tone is sometimes difficult to manage in a written format. I do get a tad "burned out" on the "one size fits all" solutions offered by car magazine pundits who in this instance clearly haven't thought through what they're saying (except perhaps as to the one narrow scenario they generalize from). I agree about the Gen-I Prius; way to small for me too. Much of the confusion and error applies to the Gen-II car which is in effect a four-wheeled optical illusion. If it were as wide as a Camry, it would have virtually the same interior volume. The sloped nose and teardrop-hatchback form complete the illusion. Yet it still gets compared to Corollas and Civics. Yep, at 40k miles per year, it's a good choice almost from any view. Add to that the "delta" I'm experiencing coming from a very thirsty G35, and well, you can see why I'm so happy with the car.

 

[Mike_dup1]

It was in some CA newspaper. Trying to find the link..

 

[Mike_dup1]

No edits with new board,

It was in the WSJ

 

[ekpolk]

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No edits with new board,

It was in the WSJ

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All the more dismaying. IMO, this sort of criticism of the hybrids is really only applicable if you don't already own a car. If you do, then you must take into account the change in situation YOU will experience with whatever car you choose, compared to your other options. I guess that $250 or so I'm saving in gas alone every month will just never add us to anything. . . You'd think that a publication like the WSJ would open its eyes to the fact not everyone fits one rigid set of numbers.

 

[rjundi]

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Now, a new Civic Hybrid is selling for a little less than $23k, not counting a $2100 federal tax credit.

Thus, the car is really costing me a hair less than $21k, which makes it comparable to the cost of an Accord.

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Your math is bit off. A $2100 tax credit only returns about $600 in your pocket if your in the 28% tax bracket.

 

[brianl703]

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Yes, but, independent and separate from the United States of America

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For now, anyway. When the currency here in the North American Free Trade Zone becomes the Amero, it'll be a bit different.

 

[brianl703]

As I recall:

A tax credit is deducted from the taxes you owe.

A tax deduction is deducted from your taxable income.

Therefore, if someone got a $2000 tax deduction and owed $40,000 in taxes, they'd only pay taxes on $38,000.

If someone got a $2000 tax credit, and they owed $5000 in taxes (before the credit), they'd only pay $3000 in taxes.

 

[ekpolk]

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Quote:

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Now, a new Civic Hybrid is selling for a little less than $23k, not counting a $2100 federal tax credit.

Thus, the car is really costing me a hair less than $21k, which makes it comparable to the cost of an Accord.

.....

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Your math is bit off. A $2100 tax credit only returns about $600 in your pocket if your in the 28% tax bracket.

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No, his is on, your's is off. This is a CREDIT not a DEDUCTION. The CREDIT is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of your tax bill. A DEDUCTION would have the effect your described.