In your search to find the perfect new car or truck, have you considered buying a hybrid vehicle?A hybrid vehicle may be for you.
Let us start with the basics.
What is a hybrid car?A hybrid vehicle has two types of engines that complement each other.
One is a standard gas-powered engine.
The other is an electric motor that is powered by a rechargeable battery.
Hybrids are primarily gas-powered vehicles that have an electrical motor assist to give a driver improved fuel economy in certain driving conditions.
If most of your driving is city driving, then a hybrid may just be for you because it could improve your fuel economy significantly.
Depending on the type of technology, often the car's engine is cut-off when you are at a stop.
This prevents the car from idling at a red light, for example.
If the engine is not running, it is not using gas and the overall emissions levels are lower.
If, however, your typical driving contains a high percentage of highway driving, then a new hybrid vehicle may not be for you.
At highway speeds, a hybrid vehicle will be operating with the traditional gas engine only.
Therefore, you are unlikely to have a large fuel economy benefit.
There are other advantages to buying a hybrid vehicle.
Some hybrid vehicles are eligible for federal and state tax incentives.
In some states, hybrid vehicles are given added perks, such as reduced tolls or usage of HOV lanes.
In addition, some manufacturers are offering longer warranties on their hybrids to encourage customers to switch to the new technologies on offer with hybrids.
There are more and more hybrids available in the marketplace.
Toyota, Lexus, Honda, and Ford all have new offerings for you to choose from.
The hybrid market will only continue to expand.
Toyota has already unveiled its third-generation Prius, which appeared in dealerships in 2010.
The new Prius gets up to 50 mpg.
More manufacturers will join the hybrid market.
Once you have decided if a hybrid is for you, you may be wondering if the negotiating tips that you should use with a dealer differ if you are dealing with this special type of technology.
In general, the same tips that apply to normal new cars and trucks also apply to hybrids.
The only thing to consider is that in times of high customer demand, which hybrids have experienced in the past, it may be difficult for you to negotiate the salesman down on his offer.