Should I stay away from hybrid cars?
Posted by slang16393@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 43 comments
I’m looking at used toyota Camrys right now, and I’ll likely keep it until it dies. When it comes to maintaining and repairing hybrids, is it worth it in the end? Or are they too expensive to repair when keeping it long term.
sp4nky86@reddit
There is literally no difference I’ve noticed between the hybrid and the ICE cars I’ve owned.
Crowlady77@reddit
Toyota hybrids are even more durable than gas Toyotas because the transmissions are bulletproof. The batteries last 200k easy.
Novogobo@reddit
essentially they don't have transmissions
Crowlady77@reddit
They definitely do. They are super cool.
Novogobo@reddit
yes they have something between the engine and the wheels, something that transmits the power. but usually what a "transmission" has meant was a system of variable torque multiplication and they absolutely don't have that.
Crowlady77@reddit
It actually uses electric motors to do that work, coupled with planetary gears. Absolute genius design.
Novogobo@reddit
but it doesn't give multiple torque multiplication factors. you get one for the gas engine and one for the electric motor and then it can mix the two for different speed outputs but there is no upshifting or downshifting.
stu54@reddit
But it kinda does. The ratio between the engine speed and wheel speed does vary. The mg1 motor acts as a pseudo gear pair.
Novogobo@reddit
yes that ratio is variable but only because you're mixing two inputs not because you're changing torque multiplication
Crowlady77@reddit
That's the job of a transmission. It's not a conventional transmission, but it's doing the job of a transmission via a different mechanism.
stu54@reddit
Mixing inputs is how a regular transmission multiplies torque. You take the engine torque and apply it with the reaction forces of a couple of axels connected to gear pairs.
Crowlady77@reddit
It's called an ECVT. Electronic continously variable transmission.
EGGWURST@reddit
Toyota hybrids are really reliable but they're also pretty simple to fix. ChrisFix has a video on repairing a hybrid battery and it's nothing too bad if you're a little handy. Worst case scenario you spend $2000 on a new hybrid battery
Smooth_Discussion367@reddit
I would have to know the remaining battery life and expected battery replacement cost, and adjust my price and expectations.
Some_How_I_Manage@reddit
Owned a 250k+ RX hybrid super easy to maintain and the battery was still over 80% of life.
Have an EV now (even easier to maintain) but I wouldn’t shy away from Toyota hybrids.
Budget-Razzmatazz-54@reddit
Battery life is like 150k miles on that car
How do you've 80% life left at 250k?
Some_How_I_Manage@reddit
150k seems low. The hybrid system keeps the battery between like 40-50%.
It was in the UK, and would only get 1-2 miles on battery only, but I would get a battery inspection every year to get a warranty on the battery as long as it maintained above a certain level. Before I sold it, 80% was the last test.
Toyotas are tuned hybrids.
TheBigMan1990@reddit
In terms of modern vehicles… hybrid is actually probably your best bet in terms of reliability and repair costs. Yeah replacing battery is expensive-but you should get 10-15 years out of the hybrid battery before it needs to be replaced depending on usage.
But because of CAFE regs, fuel regs from other countries/markets, and just chasing fuel efficiency as a selling feature a lot of modern vehicle design trends have tended towards engineering decisions that lead to unreliability and expensive repairs. Low resistance piston rings lead to oil consumption and low oil levels lead to premature engine wear. Turbochargers can be done well, but are often something that fail earlier than their owner would like-and they can take out the engine too if they fail catastrophically. Direct injection leads to more carbon buildup on the valves. CVTs are hot garbage, even the good CVT manufacturers are regularly seeing failures before 200k miles-an eCVT that you’ll find in a hybrid is a far more robust, reliable component and less prone to failure.
I know there will be all kinds of people who are going to say “what do you mean, cars have never been more reliable than they are today”-and I think that was true 5-7 years ago, but that this newest generation of vehicles has been littered with duds, reliability issues, and recalls.
Fun_Boss_2112@reddit
We have owned five Toyota hybrids since 2007 and have driven them a combined 400,000 miles. Sold our 2010 Prius with just over 100,000 miles on it to a friend who has put another 90,000 miles on it; it's still running. Problems have been few and minor and have not involved the hybrid systems.
I bought a used 2017 RAV4 Hybrid in 2020 with about 30,000 miles on it. It has 90,000 miles on it now. It does what I need it to do, reliably and well.
In addition to the gas savings, you may find, as we did, that you just plain like the hybrid better.
Crowlady77@reddit
My dad and stepmother have had 3 priuses and have put well over 200k on each!
gmehodler42069741LFG@reddit
Hybrid doesn't matter. Maintenance does. No different than any other toyota
SpaceCat72@reddit
Hybrid is much better than all electric. Toyota has (or at least had) that wired up tight.
Budget-Razzmatazz-54@reddit
I did math on this one time with a Camry hybrid vs a competing gas car I was considering.
Long story short is that any gas savings from the hybrid is basically balanced out with the cost of replacing a hybrid battery. Variabilities abound , of course
That said, I wouldn't shy away from a hybrid specifically but rather look at the individual vehicle.
I've had multiple gas engines well over 200k miles while being relatively trouble free. Many people claim similar for hybrid
SexyWampa@reddit
Fords Hybrid system is very similar to Toyotas, so much so, they started sharing homework and patents between both companies. The Ford Fusion hybrid is pretty decent and cheaper, just stay away from the plug in ones, that's the part that gets sketchy.
Superb-Meal-4473@reddit
If you are planning to buy a vehicle and drive it until it dies, a Toyota Camry Hybrid is one of the most financially sound choices you can make. The common fear is that the hybrid battery will eventually fail and slap you with a massive repair bill that wipes out all your gas savings. When you look at the actual long-term data, a Toyota hybrid is not more expensive to maintain long-term than a standard gas car—in fact, it often ends up being cheaper. Here is exactly why it is worth it in the end:
SirWillae@reddit
Nope. Toyota hybrids are awesome
ChrisGear101@reddit
They are worth it IMHO. When the batteries eventually stop working, they are actually not to hard to replace with OE or even aftermarket batteries. Easier than replacing an engine TBH. But keep the engine well maintained, and keep the cooling vents clean for the batteries, and it is just like owning any other vehicle, except you'll burn less fuel.
KeekuBrigabroo@reddit
And your brakes will last way longer
Brave-Ad-7460@reddit
A Toyota hybrid is the most reliable vehicle on the road, they are more reliable and less maintenance than a conventional ice vehicle, they are known as a negative maintenance vehicle, because they don’t have starters, alternators, belts, belt driven a/c compressors
TheGroundBeef@reddit
Toyota hybrid is probably the best hybrid architecture ever made
whozwat@reddit
I have a 2014 Ford C-MAX Energi which is a plug-in hybrid - similar technology to Prius. I've had no problems with it for 120k mi. The battery range dropped from 22 to about 13 mi, but it's still operates is a hybrid. I change my oil every 5k mi and replaced most of the "lifetime" transmission fluid at 100,000 miles. Because of the regenerative braking I haven't even replaced disc brake pads and they are still good. The spark plugs are even still okay. I was a shade tree mechanic when young, I don't miss unreliable cars.
LoneWitie@reddit
Toyotas hybrids are actually a lot more reliable than their traditional gas cars
The e-cvt uses a planetary gear and runs forever. They also run electric motors below 15mph which is what's hardest on an engine
It also doesn't have a starter or alternator which are common failure points
bmxracers@reddit
Hybrids are fine. They reduce the work of the engine and extend its life.
Aggressive_Ask89144@reddit
Toyota produces some of the best hybrids (and those cars are) the best on the planet. Extremely durable and refined vehicles. Modern tech also makes them easy to take care even though you can drive them for a decade and they still have excellent life left. The hybrid battery while is a fairly involved process to replace, is even doubled DIY (at least when I did it on a Highlander) unlike something like a Tesla where the car is built around the battery and the software will not enjoy you doing so.
Fun_Mastodon3230@reddit
The Toyota hybrids are extremely reliable and there is no reason to stay away from them, reliability-wise.
However, if you don’t drive much then it may make sense to buy a regular internal combustion car.
but the hybrids are truly great!
deconstruct110@reddit
In addition to the mpg, hybrids put less strain on the gas engine, transmission and brakes. We have five Toyotas. Four of them are hybrids. The non- hybrid, a 2001 Camry, was inherited.
twelfthfantasy@reddit
My dad has a 2013 Prius and he's never put a penny into it except for routine maintenance. Not a single repair ever needed yet.
brownlikegoomba@reddit
i’ve been on the toyota corolla reddit for a year or two and i pretty consistently have seen people posting about regrets and issues with their hybrids but i don’t know jack about cars. it’s just an observation
Comprehensive_Fuel43@reddit
Gas price will be hiked up for while.
And Toyota cars are reliable.
Go for it.
ImpliedSlashS@reddit
Toyota’s hybrid system is actually simple and reliable
gettin-hot-in-here@reddit
i have a high opinion of toyota hybrids. I drove mine until it had around 300,000 miles. minimal repairs, although i did (almost) everything the owner's manual said to do. that said, leaving it unused for long stretches of time (months or years) is terrible for the high voltage battery.
NeedleGunMonkey@reddit
It’s entirely dependent on how many miles you drive a year, how many years you intend to own it, and the mpg delta between the hybrid vs non-hybrid.
Do the math. If the delta is less than $6000 you’ll likely find no financial savings from it. If the delta is greater than $6000 it’ll be worth it.
krautstomp@reddit
Toyota has been making hybrids as long as anyone else. Their cars are all top notch. Even if you end up with one that needs more repair work than normal they're not too expensive. The initial cost is higher than a standard car. The amount you save in gas should mostly cover any extra maintenance you need.