The hybrids have been saved!

A few weeks ago I shared our experiences relating to buying a hybrid car. With great fanfare I can announce the successful completion of my Save The Hybrids campaign. Terri and I are the owners of a fancy new hybrid car and are already enjoying the better gas mileage.

Some things we have learned in the journey of buying a new car during a period of $130/barrel oil prices.

1. Some car dealers will have better luck at getting cars sooner than others.

For example a newly built, large dealership will probably have a higher allocation than a older dealer might. Simply because the car company is paying the dealer back for their recent financial commitment to the brand. We were told by one dealer that the process was a $500 deposit plus a 30-45 day wait. In our case it was a $500 deposit and a 12-day rate. We picked one of the seven or eight options that was "on the ship" to the US.

2. Driving a hybrid does not force you to drive differently to get good mpg.

We have owned our car for less than 24 hours, have driven it 100+ miles and we averaged around 48 mpg. Terri drove the car on I-64 just like she drove her last car (a V6 Ford Escape). Our friends who own the same model say that if you take your foot off of the gas as you approach a stop light and coast, the mpg will go up. So, the point is, you are not required to adapt, but if you adapt a little, it will pay off.

3. New cars have fancy doodads in them

Our new car has a stereo system that has an integrated Bluetooth adapter. Our two-year old cell phones have Bluetooth adapters. We can connect our phones to the car and we can operate in hands-free mode. The car has a built-in mic and the sound from the phone plays thru the stereo system. It will even mute the sound if you have an incoming call. This is the same technology that makes the ear-worn Borg implants for cell phones. The first time I saw someone having a conversation on one of those I was afraid to go to close to them. You tend to avoid people talking loudly on the street when no one is around them.

4. The car will sell for the sticker price, but the dealer may sweeten the deal in other areas

Dealers will offer you a break on warranty plans and the like. If you like to buy extended warranties, this is a place you can haggle.

Thanks to all of our hybrid-evangelist friends who offered advice and test drives of their vehicles (Dave, Mary Lou, Don, and Linda). We have joined your ranks.