Anybody have a hybrid vehicle?

I have heard that some rescue squads will not touch a hybrid in an accident too quickly because if in a front end collision, the huge battery could act as an "electric chair" so until something is disabled, they won't touch the car. 
 
Also, I don't think if you drive more than 40 miles an hour that you save any gas.  It is best for local driving.
 
That all said, I may consider one, but most likely will get an elantra for my next car in a few yrs.

I know someone whose wife has a Prius. She likes it, but she had to get on a waiting list to get one. I'm not sure if you still have to do that.
Stacy, i'm not sure if you know, but I thought I would tell you that if you are interested in the Elantra, the next few months would be a good time to get one, if you are interested in the outgoing one. The 07 model will be a redesigned one, so good deals should be coming along soon, or at least i'm hoping so, because i'm interested in getting one in 2-3 months, and I want the hatch (I could put more dogs in it if I had the hatch I think), which I believe they will not be bringing back for 07. My mom got an 05 Sonata last year for a really good deal because they updated it mid year. The Sante Fe will also be updated for 07, 'cept I don't want something that big.
The sales on domestics also should be starting soon, if anyone wants a car that will be horribly devalued. Chrysler is supposed to be starting the employee pricing for everyone like all the domestics were running last summer, on July 1st. It'll be interesting to see how long the others hold out for.

Thanks for the info.  I probably won't get a car for a yr. or 2.  Mine is only 3 1/2 yrs. old and I am almost done paying for it, but I am a car whore and get tired of having the same car too long.  I will probably do a yr. of no car payments before getting a new one.
 
My mom has the Elantra with a hatch.  She had the regular one and gave it to my sis, because she too is a car whore and wanted a new one.  She loves both.  Honestly, I think the regular one is a lot more spacious than the hatch.  The hatch only comes in leather, too.  Hyundais used to be bad but they have gotten so much better and you can't beat the price and warranty.
 
I love the look of the Sonata right now!  I'd want that but don't need a bigger car.  I want the Santa Fe but cannot see getting an suv with rising gas costs.

I wasn't aware that the hatch only came with leather. Oh well, I don't care too much, i'm gonna have to put covers on the seats anyway so that Max doesn't ruin them. The regular one also might be roomier, but I think the hatch will fit a dog crate more easily. I'm hoping that in a few months, the deals will be really good, because the 07 will be out in the fall.
My mom doesn't have the cooler looking Sonata, her's is the 05, and not the 05.5, which is the better looking one. My dad has the ugly Impala too. Well, they're all ugly, but his is more ugly than the update version. His is an old man car. My grandpa used to have one, and when my dad bought it, he still did have his, and my dad bought one in the same color without realizing it. Luckily my grandfather got rid of his, and I think he got a Buick or something equally old manish.

I am thinking of owning a hybrid vehicle as well, because I drive to school which is about 30 miles (one way). So basically a week, I'll drive about apprx. 200 miles. That sucks up alot of gas. =(
Also, I have to pay for Toll (GRR) so having a hybrid, it will knock out the cost for toll and some amount of gas money.
I'm thinking of the Honda Accord Hybrid, but they're really expensive. I probably get the Acura TL instead (gasoline). Look sporty.

Have you seen the Elantra hatch?  I don't think it is completely like other hatches.  I could not imagine it being more room for a crate than the regular one... but when you go look you'll see.  I don't see where a crate could fit aside from the backseat and that is bigger in the regular one.  I could be misunderstanding though.

Hmmm... I don't know. I could almost fit Max's crate into my Cavalier. I probably could have assembled it once it was already inside the car, and I didn't have the seat folded down. So,I think I could put a Max sized crate completely in the back of an Elantra Hatch, but maybe i'll just have to take the crate with for a test drive. 

I thought I was the only crazy person who took crates car hunting, LOL!

We're about to trade in our little Echo, either for the smaller Toyota RAV4 or a Honda CRV.  I need just a tad more space than I get in the Echo, which is kinda like riding in a jelly bean.[] I think the hybrids are kind of pricey right now but we might consider one next time around. We get pretty good mileage on the Echo and the little thing has well over 200,000 miles on it. What we really need is for someone to come up with a car that runs on something other than gasoline.

Joyce

ORIGINAL: fuzzy_dogs_mom

What we really need is for someone to come up with a car that runs on something other than gasoline.

Joyce

How about a car that runs on doggie farts? That would be rather economical, and would also mean we would have a good excuse for bringing our dogs along everywhere we went.

ORIGINAL: jennie_c_d

I thought I was the only crazy person who took crates car hunting, LOL!

Yeah, everybody, just keep talking. You can narrow it down for me. []

Check into the cost of the batteries and their lifespan.  My DH said the cost of replacing the batteries (after just a few years I think) was about as much as what you saved in gas.

My future stepdad has a Prius.  He loves it.  I mentioned the battery thing and he said it has a 10 year 100,000 replacement on it.  He drives about 25 one way to work everyday and every weekend he drives 80 miles to my moms house. 
 
IMO unless you are really doing alot of commuting it probably isnt worth it, just getting a fuel effiecient regular car would do just as well.
 
However, you all mention Hyundais.  Anyone have any experience with the Tiburon (no dog crates will fit Im sure)?  Wife and I are in the market for a couple newer used cars and she has fallen for the Tiburon BIG TIME.

ORIGINAL: shakespeare

However, you all mention Hyundais. Anyone have any experience with the Tiburon (no dog crates will fit Im sure)? Wife and I are in the market for a couple newer used cars and she has fallen for the Tiburon BIG TIME.

garrettandpaul just got onehttp://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=79668 I looked at them and loved them, but I get bored with cars easily and Hyundais don't hold resale value well.