A forum for men who drive
and the kids they drive with...
TO GO GREEN OR NOT TO GO GREEN…
THAT IS THE QUESTION
2008 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid
By: Jason Droz
The Hybrid vehicles seem to be all the rage nowadays. It’s the “in” thing to do and the “green” choice as well. The question I have is it a financially sound decision? According to my calculations; no. Before I dive into my 3rd grade math skills, I want to thank my mother, Cathy Droz, for allowing me to participate in this great adventure of test driving cars. People ask her all the time how she got the job of test driving the newest of the new. The real answer is integrity. In her own quirky way, she is able to keep you entertained and informed all in one breath. I hope I can follow suit as my mother is and always will be, my role model.
OK, enough of the sappy stuff! Here is what I came up with. The Tahoe Hybrid gets an average of 22 mpg (miles per gallon) while the non-hybrid gets 15mpg. Both Tahoes have a 22 gallon tank. If gas runs $4 a gallon, that costs you $88 to fill up.(22 x 4) You then figure out how many miles you get out of each tank. In the Hybrid, you multiply 22mpg by 22 gallons(the tank capacity). That gives you 484 miles per tank. The regular Tahoe gets 15mpg. So multiply 15mpg by the 22 gallon tank. You should come up with 330miles per tank. Bear with me as we enter 5th grade math! Now take the average driver who records 15,000 miles on their odometer each year and divide that by 484(miles we get per tank with the Hybrid). That gives you how many times you will fill up per year. Repeat that same equation except using the 330 miles you get with the enemy of the Earth, regular fossil fuel burning Tahoe. The Hybrid winds up at 31 refills a year while the environmentally challenged Tahoe refills 45.5 times. Since we are paying $88 in both SUVs, multiply by 31 and 45.5 respectfully. This gives you the total cost of gas per year. The Hybrid winds up at $2778 per year and its older polluting brother costs you $4004 a year. That’s a difference of $1276. Break that down monthly and you are looking at a $106 savings with the Hybrid.
The next question: is the difference in sticker price worth your savings in gas? I priced out both a Hybrid Tahoe and a gas guzzling Tahoe. A very basic Hybrid runs $50,000. Finance that over 5 years at a 6% interest rate with $5000 down and you will pay $869 a month. Do the same thing on the “dirty” Tahoe at $40,000 and you wind up with a $676 payment. That’s a difference of $193. Since we are only saving $106 a month using the Hybrid Technology, we are financially better off polluting the air with the regular Tahoe. Whew, I think I need some Aleve!
Please keep in mind this is only a financial opinion and I certainly do not think this should be the only factor used in deciding “Hybrid or No Hybrid” The number of cup holders or having heated seats in Arizona may be of more importance. Also remember that gas prices are predicted to rise to $7 a gallon within the next 4 years. I wonder if the government will come out with gas stamps for the fuel deprived. Anyway, you can plug in different numbers in the equations to make you really depressed.
All in all, the Hybrid Tahoe is a very luxurious and smooth riding vehicle. It takes a little getting used to the delayed acceleration off the line due to the Hybrid technology. The one other downfall was the third row seating. They do not fold flat for storage but rather in a clumsy kind of way against the back of the second row of seats. This definitely decreases the amount of space in the back and they are a bit of a pain to take in and out. Jayden, my 3 year old, loves to climb in and out of the car by herself. The running boards on an SUV are a must and Tahoe Hybrid delivered. Jayden’s car seat fit snug and firm which is also a bonus in my book.
As the dollar weakens and gas prices soar, remember what is truly important; our health and family. Without those two things, all the money in the world won’t help you. Thanks for reading and until next time drive safely.
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March 2008
