| Want to buy a Hybrid car? Do you know what to | | | | include: |
| look out for? As a consumer, you need to have | | | | The Toyota Prius |
| some background knowledge before you go to the | | | | The EPA has estimated that the Prius gets 52 miles |
| showroom. Here are some important tips in buying a | | | | per city gallon and about 45 miles per highway gallon |
| Hybrid Car. | | | | The Prius comes with eight different option packages |
| - Choose the car and engine size you really need: In a | | | | with a price of about $22,000 and up and has been |
| society that at times puts the emphasis on the size | | | | deemed more reliable than approximately 90% of |
| or appearance of the vehicle, it's important to realize | | | | other vehicles on the roads today. |
| that bigger isn't necessarily better. Considering that a | | | | The Honda Civic |
| hybrid vehicle uses both gasoline and electricity to | | | | The Honda Civic Hybrid appears almost identical to its |
| make it run, the extra boost it offers makes up for | | | | non-hybrid counterpart, although it boasts |
| lack in engine size or traditional horsepower. | | | | considerably higher gas mileage. Redesigned in 2006, |
| - Do your research: By taking the extra time to | | | | the Civic Hybrid is able to use its electric motor at |
| research the miles per gallon specifics of different | | | | speeds up to 30 miles per hour without the need for |
| hybrid models, you'll be armed with the knowledge | | | | the gasoline engine. |
| you need to make the right decision for you when | | | | The average sticker price for a 2007 Civic Hybrid is |
| you're faced with different choices at the dealership. | | | | around $22,000 to $24,000, with the vehicle having |
| Also be sure to research each manufacturer's | | | | an EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 49/51 city |
| suggested retail price (MSRP). | | | | highway miles per gallon. The Honda Civic Hybrid also |
| - Get on the waiting list: After you've explored the | | | | has various safety features ranging from |
| various options available in the world of hybrid cars | | | | sophisticated seatbelts with automatic tensioning |
| and decided on the one you like most, consider | | | | systems, numerous airbags and head restraints. |
| getting on a waiting list at a dealership before the car | | | | Honda Accord Hybrid |
| hits the market. | | | | The Honda Accord Hybrid was first introduced in |
| - Know the lingo: Before heading to the car lots, | | | | 2005 and has an estimated EPA rating of 25/34 miles |
| make sure you understand the lingo that's most | | | | per gallon for city/highway driving. Compared to the |
| commonly used in the automotive world. | | | | Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Accord Hybrid, which has |
| - Know thy dealer: When buying a hybrid, be sure to | | | | an MSRP of about $31,000, boasts performance as |
| ask the car dealership about their mechanics and their | | | | well as a good fuel economy rating. In a technology |
| specific training and experience with this type of | | | | referred to as variable cylinder management (VCM), |
| vehicle. | | | | Honda has designed the Accord Hybrid to |
| - Take a test drive: Take a test drive, or two, to be | | | | automatically shut off three of its six cylinders when |
| certain you're comfortable with driving the hybrid. | | | | needed to save on fuel economy. The average |
| With a higher than average consumer approval rating, | | | | Accord Hybrid has a 3.0L V-6 engine, and is a |
| hybrids are generally deemed very easy and pleasant | | | | front-wheel drive, automatic. |
| to drive and offer an extremely quiet ride. | | | | Some safety features of the Accord Hybrid include |
| - Consider an older model: To save money, many | | | | daytime running lights, anti-lock brakes, front, |
| people choose to wait until the next year's models hit | | | | side-impact and side-curtain airbags, and the car has |
| the showroom, and then buy models from this year. | | | | also received five stars from the National Highway |
| - Buy a used hybrid: A used hybrid car is also a | | | | Traffic Safety Agency (NHTSA) due to its |
| consideration as these types of cars are surprisingly | | | | impressive crash test ratings. |
| well-built, reliable, and their parts far outlive their | | | | Honda Insight Hybrid |
| warranties. But if you're looking for the latest in | | | | The engine within the Honda Insight Hybrid |
| technology, a new vehicle may be the best choice | | | | automatically shut itself off when the car stopped, |
| for you. | | | | and restarted instantly when the brake pedal is |
| - Inquire about tax incentives after buying a new | | | | released, and a separate compressor for the air |
| hybrid vehicle: Tax credits for owning a hybrid vehicle | | | | conditioning continues to work even when the car is |
| are dwindling as sales increase as the law limits the | | | | temporarily turned off. While most of the emphasis is |
| availability of these credits to so many vehicles per | | | | on fuel economy and efficiency, the Honda Insight |
| auto manufacturer. Although, some states and cities | | | | Hybrid is still pleasant to drive and features an |
| also offer various incentives to hybrid car owners | | | | excellent ride quality, although as of September 2006, |
| such as free parking and reduced registration fees. | | | | Honda has stopped manufacturing the model. |
| Just a few of the hybrid cars on the market today | | | | |