A used hybrid car can be a smart purchase for a Jersey City customer who wants to drive a hybrid and knows what to look for. Just like with used gasoline cars, the car’s mileage, age, and history factor into your decision-making. You should consider a few extra things when thinking about buying a used hybrid vehicle. Once you understand the pros and cons of the process, you’ll be equipped to choose the right used hybrid for your lifestyle and budget. If you have any questions, call NJ State Auto Used Cars at (201) 204-9845.
Fuel Economy
A top reason to buy a used hybrid is the fuel economy these vehicles offer. Whether you’re looking at a sedan or a crossover SUV, hybrid models require less fuel to operate than their combustion-engine counterparts. The fuel savings depends on the make, model, and year of the hybrid you’re looking at. If fuel economy is your goal, there are several options that can get very high miles per gallon. Smaller hybrids, like four-door sedans, will have better fuel economy than hybrid SUVs or trucks.
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that some hybrid vehicles get over 50 mpg combined. If you do a lot of driving, especially in the city where hybrids are most efficient, this savings in fuel can mean a lot for your budget.
Car Value
When compared with the value of a new hybrid, a used hybrid can fare quite well. All new cars depreciate when driven off the lot, but hybrids depreciate even more. Used hybrid buyers benefit from this depreciation because you can get a used hybrid that’s only a few years old for significantly less than the cost of a new one.
However, you also have to compare the cost of a used hybrid to the cost of a new gas car. New hybrids are more expensive than their gas counterparts, but sometimes a used hybrid will have a similar price to a new gas car. In this case, a used hybrid may not be the right vehicle for someone who wants the latest features and a new car over all other considerations. But most potential hybrid buyers are interested in the unique features that a hybrid offers, which means a used hybrid is still preferable to a gas car.
Battery Life
When considering purchasing a used hybrid car, one of your main focuses should be the battery. These batteries are expensive to produce, which means they’re expensive to replace. Though it varies by manufacturer, a hybrid battery is expected to last about 100,000 miles. Because these batteries are so expensive to replace, most new hybrids come with a warranty that lasts between eight to 10 years.
Due to the battery, the age of a used hybrid is especially important. If you’re considering a used hybrid that’s only a few years old, the battery will still be under warranty and likely has years of driving left in it before it needs to be replaced. However, a used hybrid that’s a decade old and has never had its battery replaced may not be a good choice if you want to avoid that new battery expense in the near future.
Brakes and Transmission
The regenerative braking process that allows hybrids to save on fuel by recovering energy also reduces wear on the brakes. Normal brakes rely only on friction to slow or stop a car, which causes the brake components to wear out and require replacement relatively often. Hybrid brakes use magnets, which means a lot less friction on the brake components and a longer life.
Similarly, most hybrids rely on an electric powertrain. The electric motor in a hybrid helps take pressure off the transmission. Like with the brakes, the transmission in a hybrid typically experiences less wear and tear than the transmission in a gas car. Hybrid owners often enjoy fewer repairs on these important vehicle components.
Repair Costs
While some of the parts inside a hybrid may last longer than in a gas car, the cost of repairing a hybrid is usually higher. Private repair shops are often not equipped to repair hybrids, which means you’ll have to take your used hybrid to the dealer for repairs. So, repairs for a used hybrid can be more expensive. The parts for hybrids are also typically more expensive, which also brings the price of those repairs up.
Many people find that the savings in fuel and the hardiness of the brakes and transmission make up for the more costly repairs. However, if you don’t live near a repair shop that can service a hybrid, consider whether you’re willing to take a long drive and wait at the dealer every time your car needs to be looked at by a mechanic.
Lower Emissions
People gravitate towards hybrids because they produce lower carbon emissions than gas cars, especially when they’re driven in the city. The regenerative braking system recharges the battery in the start and stop action of city traffic, and many hybrids automatically shut off when stopped at traffic lights. This action relies on electricity instead of combustion, which reduces the carbon dioxide emissions a hybrid produces when compared with a gas car.
Lower emissions also help with air quality in cities. Gas cars emit carbon monoxide, particulates, and nitrogen oxides that can lower air quality in dense urban areas. People often choose to drive hybrids because they release a smaller load of these chemicals. If you want to reduce carbon emissions or contribute less to air quality degradation in your area, a used hybrid is a good choice.
Used hybrids can be wonderful vehicles that save money on gas and help you make a smaller impact on the environment. When you’re ready to look at used hybrids, come see us at New Jersey State Auto Used Cars. We have a wide selection of used hybrid models that will fit your lifestyle and budget. Come in to purchase a second vehicle for your family or to trade in your current vehicle for a hybrid model that’s new to you. Contact us today via phone or online form, or come see us at 406 Sip Ave in Jersey City.