Select a Hybrid 5 Door Car
There are actually countless types of hybrid vehicles in the market. For the purposes of this article, the focus is on Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) or vehicles which utilize a combination of gasoline and electric engines.
Contents
[hide]Steps
- Consider the following prior to purchase. First of all, there’s no such thing as a perfect hybrid 5 door car. Technically, these cars have just recently entered the mass production phase even though they’ve been around for quite a long time. You could say that they might have been rushed to the production lines because of 1.) the US government’s thrust to reinvigorate the automobile manufacturing industry, 2.) to prepare for a future that is totally fossil fuels free and 3.) to pursue a green agenda and reduce carbon emissions. That’s not to say that there aren’t any good ones out there, it’s just that they still have a long way to go when it comes matching the support system that’s currently in place for existing gasoline fed vehicles. Perhaps the best way to approaching this is to divide the overall ownership and purchase phases to get a fuller view of anything and everything that might come to mind.
- Look at the prices. Any “how to” guide which has something to do with vehicle purchases should always start from this. Surely, you’d need to have the financial resources before you even start looking for a 5 door car. The thing to look out for when it comes to pricing are these three phrases:
- a. Subsidies
- b. Grants
- c. Energy Tax Credits - From the consumer side, the most pertinent of these are the energy tax credits. Many governments endeavor to stimulate the consumer side of their economies because of the goal to have more hybrid vehicles running on roadways in the near future. These energy tax credits could be substantial. Not all hybrid models are qualified so check if the car you are planning to buy qualifies.
- Consider how you'll use the vehicle. How exactly are you planning on using the vehicle? Fast or not, most of the advertised acceleration and speed rates of any hybrid vehicle, assumes that there are no passengers and road conditions are perfect. Be sure to ask your friendly sales representative whether the performance cited is for vehicles that have more than 1 passenger.
- Decide whether you want a full hybrid or a mild hybrid. A full hybrid vehicle is able to run using only electrical power. Full hybrids offer many advantages including:
- a. Zero emissions.
- b. Minimum noise.
- c. Reduced consumption of gasoline
- A good example of a 5 door car that can be considered as a full hybrid is the Lexus CT 200h. Try looking for a lexus ct 200h review to see how it matches up with other full hybrids and mild hybrids.
- Be aware of post-purchase issues. These include:
- Servicing: Check the terms of the manufacturer for servicing details. Moreover, find out where the nearest authorized service center is. Although more and more auto mechanics are learning how to service hybrids and next generation vehicles, most are still not equipped with the appropriate know how and equipment. This is going to be an issue if you are planning to use your hybrid on a long trip and it suddenly breaks down in the middle of nowhere.
- Parts Availability: Every manufacturer will state that their parts will last longer than the warranty. But just to be sure, try asking them about the prices of the components when the warranty expires. Many people also move a lot, and could be moving in a place that’s far from an authorized service center or auto supply center with the parts of the vehicle. Check to see if the most important parts are available from independent suppliers.
Tips
- The hybrid car market still needs to work on a lot of details before they can fully match up to all the conveniences that traditional gasoline powered vehicles can offer. Buying one today, prepares you for a completely rethought motoring experience. With the wider adoption of these thanks to government support, you can expect to have more and more hybrids in the roadways. Who knows, you just might pop in and buy one in the near future.
