Financing more money to save money?

[LOWDOWN]

Here's a novel approach: Which do YOU prefer to drive, day-in and day-out?

If you choose the less-satisfying vehicle, you'll curse it l-o-n-g after the "math" was settled...

No one drives a Rebate...or an Interest Rate...or a "Deal"...

We all drive vehicles...so get the one you truly think you can live with, that fits your "math".

[2001ragtop]

i wouldn't assume you will get a true 47 miles per gallon. Sorry that doesn't sound believable. But even if it got 40 that's awesome.

[Ocikat]

Originally Posted by Mr. iNCREDIBLE

sorry you are incorrect.. The Chevy Volt is a Hybrid and the gas motor does assist in the providing power to the wheels.

So while it does not operate exactly like a prius in that a prius uses the gas motor as the primary, and the Volt uses the Electric as the primary, it does use the gas motor to drive the wheels under certain conditions.

I stand corrected !! Thank you for the very informative link, this wasn't my understanding of the Volts drive train system, mostly derived from a friend who owns a Volt.

We are however hijacking DaBears original post and turning it into a discussion of hybrid comparrisons. His original question boils down to the cost of ownership of 2 specific vehicles he is considering. My comments were twofold and I wanted to point out that:

(1) two years ahead of this purchase, things are likely to change as far as, vehichle price, finance rates, vehichle efficiency, fuel prices etc.

(2) the true cost of owning a vehichle should factor in more than purchase price and fuel economy, while certainly significant one should also consider, insurance, maintanence, resell value, how long do you intend to have it. as well as a number of other considerations.

Consider this; If I were to purchase a Chevy Volt with the intention of owning it for 5 years until my lien was paid off, and at that time the batteries were degraded to the point of needing replacement ( out of warranty ) at a cost of $ 20,000, I would either have an expensive "maintenance" cost to keep the car or; I would have a car with very little resale value. This might make a conventional gas powered vehicle cost of ownership look much more attractive even though I spent much less in fuel costs over that 5 year period.

[Ringo64]

Originally Posted by LOWDOWN

Here's a novel approach: Which do YOU prefer to drive, day-in and day-out?

If you choose the less-satisfying vehicle, you'll curse it l-o-n-g after the "math" was settled...

No one drives a Rebate...or an Interest Rate...or a "Deal"...

We all drive vehicles...so get the one you truly think you can live with, that fits your "math".

I think this is the best advice here. If its a car you like and it fits your financials, that is the best way to go especially if you want to keep it for 10 years.

[DaBears]

Originally Posted by Ringo64

I think this is the best advice here. If its a car you like and it fits your financials, that is the best way to go especially if you want to keep it for 10 years.

Yeah thats true.

Honestly I can see myself happy in both vehicles. The Subaru is really tempting cuz of the AWD factor. However the Fusion is a REALLY nice car.

I think it would likely come down to a test drive and like some of you guys said, who will give me the better deal?

I have a feeling Ford would give me a better deal, especially on an ecoboost model which have high profit margins for dealers.

[Mr. iNCREDIBLE]

Originally Posted by Ocikat

I stand corrected !! Thank you for the very informative link, this wasn't my understanding of the Volts drive train system, mostly derived from a friend who owns a Volt.

one would think that someone who owns it should understand how it functions... I have a neighbor with one, had the same mis-understanding with him, because that is how the dealers are selling the vehicle..

but if you take a few minutes to read the owners manual, it tells you in there how the system works.

Originally Posted by Ocikat

We are however hijacking DaBears original post and turning it into a discussion of hybrid comparrisons. His original question boils down to the cost of ownership of 2 specific vehicles he is considering. My comments were twofold and I wanted to point out that:

(1) two years ahead of this purchase, things are likely to change as far as, vehichle price, finance rates, vehichle efficiency, fuel prices etc.

(2) the true cost of owning a vehichle should factor in more than purchase price and fuel economy, while certainly significant one should also consider, insurance, maintanence, resell value, how long do you intend to have it. as well as a number of other considerations.

Consider this; If I were to purchase a Chevy Volt with the intention of owning it for 5 years until my lien was paid off, and at that time the batteries were degraded to the point of needing replacement ( out of warranty ) at a cost of $ 20,000, I would either have an expensive "maintenance" cost to keep the car or; I would have a car with very little resale value. This might make a conventional gas powered vehicle cost of ownership look much more attractive even though I spent much less in fuel costs over that 5 year period.

you are right, no point in derailing the thread any further, we can take it to PM if there is a need.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Ocikat

Chevys Volt is not a hybrid, it's gasoline motor powers a generator which in turn provides energy to the electric motor to drive the vehichle and recharges the battery.

Even if the Volt always only ever used electricity to power the wheels (it doesn't), it doesn't change the fact that the car would still be a hybrid. An awesome hybrid that is better than a EV, but a hybrid none the less. A gas engine and an electric motor, working in any combination to propel the vehicle is a hybrid drivetrain. Doesn't matter which one it primarily uses. In fact, it doesn't have to be limited to a combination gasoline (or any form of internal combustion) and electric power to be called a hybrid. There are hydraulic hybrids (increasingly popular for garbage and delivery trucks), and I suppose if hydraulics work as a hybrid so too could pneumatics.

And while we're pushing the fringes of possible hybrids, you could (in theory) use springs or elastics to store power in conjunction with an internal combustion (or steam) engine. And if neither of those combos work, you could also use them with electric (or hydraulic or pneumatic) motor. Of course, very few pairings are of much benefit (or even logic), but still ... a steam+spring combination would, technically, be a hybrid. And if thats a hybrid, then surely an electric+gas vehicle like the Volt would be too.



To the OP ... remember that cost of ownership isn't just monthly payments + gasoline. You should also consider which one will have the higher residual value, maintenance costs, insurance cost, and how the price of gasoline is going to change over the next several years. Since most of those figures are going to be guesses (particularly if you plan on owning it for 10 years) just go with the one you like better.

[DaBears]

Well we'll see. Gotta pay off the Equinox and save up a $5000 down payment first.

[Silverlsinva]

Id say test drive both and see with what ur happier driving in a day to day basis. Is the equinox awd and ur winter vehicle? If not id rather have the subaru over the fusion cause in winter time batteries arent as effeicent at hold a charge so ud get less Mpg in winter.

[DaBears]

Originally Posted by Silverlsinva

Id say test drive both and see with what ur happier driving in a day to day basis. Is the equinox awd and ur winter vehicle? If not id rather have the subaru over the fusion cause in winter time batteries arent as effeicent at hold a charge so ud get less Mpg in winter.

No the Equinox is a base model and it's my wife's vehicle to haul around our 2 year old. I agree that the Subaru with AWD would probably be more satisfying to drive. We'll see when the time comes.