You ask people today about where the future of cars should be in mileage and most agree. They want more 40 MPG autos, more hybrids or electrics, more ways to save them money when they have to fuel up. People want to get the best value out of their car deals, but are they willing to pay more to save more?
Cars are expected to become more efficient. Your next new car could very well get you 40 MPG. But the technology that offers such mileage often is complicated, or uses rare metals, or is simply difficult to produce. The cost of new hybrids for 2012 is not expected to drop.
So are you consumer ready to spend an extra $1,000 - $2,000 to save that money later at the pump with interest? Or will you save that money at the dealer and just find cheap new sedans that get decent mileage? It can be a difficult question to answer even for those who do their homework and try and find the best value car deals.
Because the cost of gas moves around, and so does your mileage most people have at best the roughest of estimates on what the new hybrids for 2012 could save them. Where as if you employ car search engines you can find the best car deals and take that money off right up front. Who saves more?
Given the ever rising gas prices, and assuming you drive quite a bit, probably the person who invested long term with the hybrid. But waiting to get that money back is often too much for most buyers. In those cases, it helps to look at the best used cars for resale on car search engines, and see where those hybrids rank. You might be surprised.
There are many ways to skin a cat. You can save up front with cheap new sedans, find the best used cars, or invest long term and hybrid or electric car. There is no magic bullet for everybody. But a little research and do wonders to uncover which is best for you, even if you might have to pay more up front to save more long term.