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Should You Ditch Your Gas Guzzler?

Some Hybrids Make More Financial Sense Than Others

POSTED: 7:18 am CDT May 15, 2008
UPDATED: 8:59 am CDT May 15, 2008

Car buyers who want to save money at the gas pump are increasingly looking to more fuel-efficient vehicles such as hybrids to meet their needs, but a new study questions whether hybrids really save money.

Slideshow: Which Hybrids Save Most Money?

According to a study by Edmunds.com, some hybrids will end up saving consumers money in the long run, despite the price premium hybrids command that can outweigh any potential fuel savings.

"Environmentally conscious consumers have been drawn to hybrid vehicles since day one and were willing to pay a premium for them," said Jesse Toprak, Edmunds.com's executive director of industry analysis. "But now as a result of lower price premiums, higher gas prices and, in some cases, tax credits, it won't take long for consumers to offset the price premium and actually save money by buying a hybrid -- depending on which one they choose."

Edmunds.com's data indicates that the Toyota Camry Hybrid is the best bet for the financially minded consumer; the difference in price between a Toyota Camry Hybrid and the Toyota Camry can be recovered in less than two years.

At the other end of the spectrum, the owner of a Lexus LS600h, on the other hand, would have to drive more than 1 million miles to cover the additional cost of the vehicle over the non-hybrid LS460L.

"When deciding whether to trade in a vehicle to improve fuel efficiency, check the Edmunds.com True Cost to OwnSM figures to understand the big picture," said Philip Reed, Edmunds.com consumer advice editor. "In the long run, it may save you money, but just how long is that 'long run?'"

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