Everyone's Looking at the Hybrid Automobiles Now

Hit TV series “24” shows the character of U.S. President Charles Logan defending his part in the elaborate plan of selling toxic gas to terrorist (of which the plan backfires) so his circle of businessmen friends could control the oil producing countries in Asia, or else “we will see oil prices soar up to 100 dollars per barrel.”  That’s from Season 5 of “24,” and it was just not long ago.  Now, we are well beyond that 100 dollars per barrel—a premise on fear that would drive a fictional U.S. president to commit such a crime (and cause another longest 24 hours for Jack Bauer!) 

At 142 dollars per barrel today, one would think Jack Bauer would switch sides and actually help Logan claim control of oil-producing Asian countries….  Nah, it would be easier seeing Bauer switching jobs from being a CTU agent to a car salesman selling hybrid automobiles to protect national security.

If you are not ready to take the subway or bus yet, hybrid automobiles come easily as a logical solution to skyrocketing fuel prices.  However, comparing prices or calculating bottom-line savings in the long run on taking this way out could be daunting for some.  Try scouring the internet on this subject and you would read on advices about holding on to your old gas-guzzler as you would still end up paying more if you buy a new car—hybrid or not.  We agree.  This notion is only applicable if you happen to be in the market to buy a car regardless of prevailing blood pressure spiking oil prices.  

Everyone junking their existing gasoline-only models in favour of hybrid automobiles is not the solution here.  Well, if you have loads of dispensable cash (who has nowadays?) and you want to contribute to the greening of the planet, go help yourself and we salute you.

OK, let’s say you are really out scouring the market now for a car, considering any model of one of those hybrid automobiles would get everyone’s thumbs up.  We would even encourage it by citing one study that says chicks dig guys now sporting green cars instead of those macho SUVs.  

You might say hybrid automobiles are more expensive than gasoline-only models.  Case in point: Toyota Camry Hybrid is 1,300 dollars more expensive than its XLE sister (a gasoline-only model).  Well, on the surface, the price difference is obvious but you save in the final calculation.

You save more on your daily fuel cost which will eventually offset the initial $1,300 you added for this model.  Think gas mileage: you save more by increasing you mileage to 15mpg in city driving with a hybrid.  Also, Toyota Camry Hybrid automobiles give you 40 horsepower more compared to what you get from the Toyota Camry XLE.  That’s not where the good news about considering any of these hybrid automobiles in the market end, you also get the government’s nod by allowing you to drive in carpool lanes and you also get a tax rebate of up to $ 3,150.00 (depending on car brand/model and depending on its current EPA grade).

And hey, don’t forget, you driving one of those hybrid automobiles?  The chicks will dig you more (wink-wink).