[s-cars] VLAC

[Taka Mizutani]

Along a similar line, Road and Track did an analysis comparing the
cost/benefit of the Honda Civic Hybrid against a gas Honda Civic as
well as a VW Jetta TDI vs. gas VW Jetta. These two comparisons were
made because they were the only vehicles at the time to have direct
hybrid and diesel counterparts, respectively. The Prius does not have
a conventional gas powered model. The Ford Escape Hybrid and Lexus
RX400h were not available at the time, nor was the Accord Hybrid.

The end result was that it would take approx. 155k miles before you
would start saving money with the Civic Hybrid, due to the higher
initial cost of the Hybrid vs. the regular gas version. It was about
75k miles for the Jetta TDI.

Once you figure in battery pack replacement over the 155k miles, even
the hybrid vehicle tax credits don't give you nearly enough savings to
make it worthwhile.

I think that the main reason people buy hybrids is for that "feel
good" factor- they feel better about themselves because they're buying
a vehicle that is recognized as being "environmentally conscious," and
therefore willing to pay a premium based on the perceived value of the
"eco-friendly" cachet that a hybrid vehicle bestows upon its owner.

For a daily driver, I would like nothing better than the 1.9L TDI PD
version (170hp) of the B7 A4 Avant quattro. Make mine 6-speed manual,
please. Second choice would be the E46 330xd Touring 6-speed.