Year old hybrid vs new non- hybrid. Opinions pls

[Reg]

2014 Toyota Highlander awd LTD hybrid w/35000km or a new 2015 Highlander v6 le awd.

Both cars basically same $$ more or less. The Le has convience pkg but no leather, roof, navi etc etc. Wife's car she hwy commutes in. Our trusty CRV has 288000 km on it but was base model. The LE has some more goodies but not loaded like the LTD.

Any Toyota hybrid fans here?

Thx!

[djantlive]

I just threw up a little. Get a Macan or cayenne

[billybek]

I would go new if they are close in price. The warranty period will allow you to decide if it is worth keeping.
I bought a Venza XLE last year for a price that made buying used not an attractive option. Look at the end of summer when they are starting to move out the 2015s.
So far the Venza has been a good appliance. Not terribly exciting to drive but no problems so far (touch wood).

[gwmac]

I have a 2006 Prius, wife commutes 150 miles per day, went 237,000 miles with no issues then the hybrid warning light came on, replaced one bad cell in the battery for $50.00 and its still going. Its been a very good car.

[bleucamaro]

Not a toyota fan, so can't comment on those choices, but you mentioned Highway commuting. Is she stuck on an SUV? My recommendation is Jetta Sportwagen TDi. Mine has been a great commuter. averages 45mpg @ 70+mph, 50+mpg @ around 60-65mph.

[coldstart]

Hi Reg,

The hybrid works best for in-town stop-and-go driving. You will not get much fuel economy benefit from mainly highway driving to make up the cost difference. The hybrid is heavier and its highway fuel economy is likely not much different than the standard version.

Both cars will be reliable but you will know who/what/where/how was done with the new car and to me that is worth buying new if the price is nearly the same. My mother has a 2008 Lexus RX400h hybrid SUV (bought new) and it has been flawlessly reliable. My girl has a 2004 Toyota 4Runner V8 and it also has been a great reliable truck (the only hiccup was it required replacement of a steering knuckle that rusted).

You can't go wrong-- Enjoy the new SUV!

[Reg]

Thx folks.
My wife likes the idea of the loaded up aspect of the used highlander..the fact it is a hybrid was just coincidence and if it is better on fuel that's a bonus. It would be interesting to play with in its own right, even not the 911 I wished I still had!

[Reg]

Ps... the stang is gone to pay towards the Toyo! No more toys.

[chocolatelab]

Originally Posted by Reg

Thx folks.
My wife likes the idea of the loaded up aspect of the used highlander..the fact it is a hybrid was just coincidence and if it is better on fuel that's a bonus. It would be interesting to play with in its own right, even not the 911 I wished I still had!

All is equal.

If she likes the loaded one get that. It is more likely that she will be happier and keep it longer.

Happy wife happy life.

[BeyGon]

Originally Posted by bleucamaro

Not a toyota fan, so can't comment on those choices, but you mentioned Highway commuting. Is she stuck on an SUV? My recommendation is Jetta Sportwagen TDi. Mine has been a great commuter. averages 45mpg @ 70+mph, 50+mpg @ around 60-65mph.

same with my wife's 2015 Golf TDI, she gets 50 mpg on the highway with it and diesel is about 70 cents a gallon cheaper than regular here.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by coldstart

Hi Reg,

The hybrid works best for in-town stop-and-go driving. You will not get much fuel economy benefit from mainly highway driving to make up the cost difference. The hybrid is heavier and its highway fuel economy is likely not much different than the standard version.

Not true! One needs to learn to adapt to the CVT to make it work in both environments. I get great mileage on the freeway/highway(longer trips are even better).

It's really about adapting to the car (hybrid).

[Jim Richards]

Dave, would you mind sharing some adaptation examples that you've found useful?

[onewhippedpuppy]

I'm really curious how you "adapt" to the car on the highway. Setting the cruise control at 70 MPH doesn't really leave much room for adaptation, and the fact is that hybrid technology isn't nearly as efficient for highway use. There are some cases where the premium paid for a hybrid doesn't pencil out, especially as normal cars get more economical.

[Rot 911]

Can't really give you an opinion as to which one is better, but I had an optioned out rental Highlander when I was just up in Helena, Montana. Drove the crap out of it on everything from highways to forest roads and it was an all around great vehicle.

[ckelly78z]

Just saw a Chevy Volt at a dealership for $39,000 for a small car, there is a clear example of having to pay for advanced technology, and I haven't heard many good stories aboput the Volt. I would much rather have an efficient gas or diesel car than a hybrid. Where I live diesel is about 50 cents a gallon MORE than regular.

[Hugh R]

Gas is more expensive in Canada, by a good amount. I have an 08 Camry Hybrid with almost 100K miles, no issues, not one. True long trips the mileage evens out, but the car engine isn't usually running when sitting in traffic, so less wear on the gas engine.

In NYC they run Camry Hybrids 300K miles with no hybrid battery issues.

[ckelly78z]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

In NYC they run Camry Hybrids 300K miles with no hybrid battery issues.

I imagine that battery life has more to do with time, than cycles. In a taxi cab, you can rack up 300,000 miles in a hurry 2-3 years ?

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Dave, would you mind sharing some adaptation examples that you've found useful?

The biggest adaptation is by feathering the accelerator. Too heavy a foot at 40MPH(example) and the gas mileage goes down due to the CVT. Cruise control tends to have a heavy foot. You gotta learn to use the transmission. It really does work.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Sure sounds like a lot of not fun work. My company car is a 2015 Chrysler 200 V6 with almost 300 HP, it gets an easy 37 MPG on the highway with no special games.

[Reg]

I am looking forward to trying it on all electric mode. We have not received it yet. Bro in law is still working the deal.