Hi Scotty,
I have two questions. I'm debating between Honda CRV (2020) vs. Toyota Rav4 (2021). Also, with either one that I go with I'm also debating if I should go with hybrid or regular gas. I was originally going to go with hybrid but I saw some mechanics (including you) saying that there are too many parts in hybrid and hard to find mechanics who knows the system well. Would hybrid later down the road give me headache when time comes for repair?
Thank you!
In a word yes. Depends how long you intend to keep it if course, and how long the warranty is. Personally I'd stick with gas
@jimbob Thanks for the response. The warranty is 3 yr/36,000 mi basic, 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain. I'm planning on keeping the car for about 15 years.
I'm asking this because I'm getting mixed words. Some say that more and more mechanics are learning how to work with hybrid so it should be fine whereas some say that it's just a headache (finding mechanic and price) when it comes time for repair.
Do you also have recommendation between RAV4 vs. CRV?
Thank you!!
It's not only finding a mechanic to fix it but the fact that it will most likely need more expensive repairs to the hybrid system such as new battery packs etc. 15yearsis long time to keep a car like that. Both score good for predicted reliability with the Rav4 having the edge it seems.
Ive had a camry 4cyl and a camry hybrid as company cars and honestly, I would not pay the extra for a hybrid based on gas savings. In both cases, the maintenance was the same (oil changes, tires, etc) but the fuel saving is only on initial take off before the gas motor kicks in. Highway milage is pretty much the same as long as your moving. I had both cars for 4 years as they were company leases and i didnt have any breakdowns with either car during that time. If it were my own my own money, I would take the savings and go with the gas model.
Although I like both the Honda and the Toyota, the Toyota edges out Honda for one main reason: The Toyota is a fluid drive transmission while the Honda has a CVT. Only the Toyota Hybrid vehicles have the CVT transmission, but Honda switched over (a few years back) to most all of their cars using CVT. As far as Hybrid vs Gas, even though both Honda and Toyota would be the only manufacturers I would buy a hybrid from, I think the technology is still a little too new to take that risk on.
I will definitely get the Toyota RAV4 And depending on the hybrid how many miles do you think you travel in a year mechanics are starting to convert their garages to deal with hybrid cars the big issue is the price of insulated tools but people are getting there if you want to spend a little bit more and get a hybrid you will benefit a lot more in miles distance
I have a Toyota Prius I bought new. It is not a car that would keep running with minimum maintenance. The hybrid batteries in older Priuses have to be cleaned often or the battery go bad and it costs over $200-$500 just to get it cleaned at the dealership. You can definitely find videos on how to remove the backseat and clean the air cooler of the battery. Keeping up with the maintenance is quite important as they would break down. I used to drive taxis that would go over 200,000 miles on the original battery. I am not sure if it would go to 500,000 miles.
Hope that's helpful.
Winston
