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Hybrids Today: why you’ ll consider going “green” [by Mishkah Ismail] Did you just receive a step up in your salary? Are you now in the market for a new car, ready to trade in your secondhand Toyota Corolla and treat yourself to your first (or second) luxury car? With so many choices on the market, it may be difficult to begin the weekend trips of visiting dealer after dealer.
Hybrid choices today include not just which
ing as well, those who were resistant to the
and will have several-month waiting lists.
model to purchase, but, with the increasing
look of the first hybrids may find these cars
Another incentive? Federal tax laws provide a
trend to be more environmentally conscious,
aesthetically more appealing. But is a hybrid
$1,500 tax deduction for new purchases, and
a consumer must now decide whether to join
really a better
states such as California, Colorado, Mary-
Lexus, Land Rover, or Mercedes dealer, find
What about upkeep? According to hybridcars.
providing incentives also by offering rebates.
out whether a hybrid just may appeal to you.
com, the hybrid battery packs are designed
land, New York, Oregon, and New Jersey are
the hybrid craze. So before you hit that BMW,
to last for the lifetimes of the vehicles.
If the many bonuses of driving a hybrid still
First introduced into the market in Japan in
Hybrids use NiMH batteries, which can be
don’t appeal to your taste, there are plenty of
1997, the Toyota Prius, still an ever-popular
fully recycled. Essentially, hybrids are easy
options for wild indulgence. If you’re looking
choice, started the hybrid trend. Today, it
to maintain. They reduce smog pollution by
for prestige, consider the Mercedes-Benz
is nearly impossible to get onto the waiting
90% and burn less gasoline, thereby releas-
SLR McLaren. This car is revolutionizing
list for the Prius in many states. Carmen, a
ing less pollution. Considering that they
the sports-car industry. Launched in South
sales rep at Symes Toyota of Pasadena, CA,
pollute the air less, emit less CO2, and allow
Africa and debuting internationally in Europe
says the Prius “sells as fast as they come
consumers to save money on gas, these cars
in 2003, this car uses carbon fiber. Just 500
in,” adding that people will wait anywhere
will continue to make their marks on the auto
will be released in late 2004, and with a base
from “one day to 9 months to one year for a
industry. Another plus? Unlike electric cars,
price of $400,000, it is easy to understand
specific model and color.” She states that
which can only
“environmentally conscious individuals ask
go 50-60 mph
for the Prius,” indicating that while trendy,
at the most,
If gas guzzling does not deter you, then
those concerned with the environment are
hybrids bridge
Navistar’s CXT may just be for you. In an ef-
more likely to make the purchase. Many
the gap by trav-
fort to outpace the Hummer, which costs as
automakers have followed Toyota and devel-
eling further
much as $57,000, the CXT sports such deluxe
why.
oped hybrids of their own, continually trying
and driving
features as remote-control tilt-bed options,
to broaden their appeal. Sedans include the
faster, up to 97 mph. And for those of you
a rearview camera, and a hefty base price of
Honda Civic Hybrid and Honda Insight.
in colder climates, don’t be deterred. Many
$93,000. Only 60 are being made, so this is
hybrid owners have fared frigid winters with
one way to stand out from the crowd.
For those who love SUVs, look for Toyota’s
relative ease. No matter what car you choose whatever
Highlander and check out Ford’s Escape hybrid, scheduled to debut later this year. Of
In addition to these appealing features,
your reasons make sure it suits your taste
the Ford Escape, Jack, a sales representative
hybrids are economical. A new Honda Civic,
and lifestyle. Do your research, hit the deal-
of Star Ford in Glendale, CA, says, “It’ll take
for example, seats five and starts at $19,650.
ers, and take a test drive. If you find yourself
off because it is an SUV and it’ll get 45 miles
The Toyota Prius, which won the 2004 Motor
unable to listen to the car salesman, unable
per gallon.” Still partial to luxury sedans?
Trend Car-of-the-Year Award, as well as
to keep that smile off your “poker face,” if
By 2005, Lexus should introduce the Hybrid
being Consumer Reports’ pick for Best Green
you feel excited to drive, then the choice will
RX 400h. And for those who love trucks, look
car, also seats five and starts at $20,810.
be made for you.
for GM’s Sierra, soon to be released. More
Luxury models for 2005, including Lexus,
and more models will continue to be brought
Toyota, and Ford, will be up to $2,000 more
into the market, and with the designs evolv-
expensive than current hybrids on the market
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