[dhs12345]

I would buy a hybrid with a modest reduction in fuel consumption. Five to 10 mpg better is still an improvement and a step closer to energy independence. Now if everyone did the same...

Of course, if all other factors have to be the same, i.e., purchase cost, availability, safety, comfort, ease of maintenance and maintenance costs, etc.

[Reeses]

energy independence

That’s an old phrase that came out of the Jimmy Carter days when he pissed off the Arabs. If everyone saved 10mpg it would only drive down demand, lowering the price that the Chinese have to pay for their oil, allowing them to buy more. Saving 10mpg does little to help America.

A better strategy for the US is to drive the world wide price of oil up then get some kind of kickback from the suppliers, which would crimp the growing Chinese economy. Another option is invest in biotechnology that converts our massive coal deposits into oil.

If we were totally energy independent from OPEC, don’t think you’d get oil products any cheaper than the world price. Domestic suppliers divert their oil to the highest bidder, so you’d soon pay the same.

[Richard-SIA]

You left out PERFORMANCE!

It has to go, it has to stop, it has to handle.
Hybrids don't!