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by KristineGalvan from The Newsroom (or Inner Loop)

Last Post 10 days, 18 hours Ago


I Test Drove the Tahoe Hybrid....
Jun 19, 2008 | 8:52 AM
Category: News
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I loved it!  

This was my first time driving a hybrid anything and I thought there would be a bigger difference.  Other than the stop and startup when you come to a complete stop...it drives like a regular Tahoe.

I really like this car, but I'm a bit skittish about buying something that hasnt been out long.  My biggest concern is with the batteries.  The dealer says they're made to last as long as the car, but what if they do go out?  How do you get rid of them?  And it seems weird to be driving around with two huge batteries under your back seat.  (It didnt help that there was lightning around.)

Any thoughts on the hybrid?  Is it worth the extra cost?  Or am I just getting sucked into a trend?  I cant help but think those batteries have to be bad for the environment...which basically negates the whole purpose. 

I'd love some friendly enlightenment...

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Member Comments Total Comments: 12
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Isci_the_Weatherman read my blog view my photos
Jun 19, 2008 | 2:30 PM

According to GM, you can expect about 23 miles per gallon with the hybrid. that's about a 25% increase compared to the standard Tahoe. The sticker price for the hybrid is thousands of dollars more than for the non-hybrid, so depending on how much you drive it might take years to see any savings. Also, the fact that it costs $50,000 might offset the concern for saving 5 or 10 dollars on a tank of gas. :)
redtractortom read my blog
Jun 19, 2008 | 3:47 PM

I watched the test of the Tahoe Hybrid 4X4 against the Silverado 4X4 FlexFuel and the Tahoe did very well. I too don't believe the cost difference is worth it unless you drive 30,000 miles a year. Then it would still take a long time to pay for the extra cost when the vehicle is new. I was also wondering about the batteries and the replacement cost. Batteries don't last forever.

I still can't figure out why the auto manufacturers are unable to utilize the same electric motor alone to move the vehicle with a rheostat to give the motor the capability to operate at different rpm's. The rheostat would work as the accelerator. By doing this a gasoline motor would no longer be needed. Oh well, I'm no engineer with a sheepskin from Texas A&M or any other college.
Gottaluvit read my blog view my photos
Jun 19, 2008 | 5:16 PM

They are probably right in stating that the batteries do last as long as the vehicle.
They most likely will. About 60,000 miles.
Sorry, but I have been jacked by Chevrolet for years and won't fall for anything again. If they are the best trucks you can buy, why are they closing plants all over the place? Hummmmm?
yahyamoro read my blog
Jun 19, 2008 | 6:15 PM

COME BY THE DEALERSHIP CHRISTINE , I'LL REFER YOU TO A SALES MAN ... WE HAVE A BLACK ONE .
princessme read my blog
Jun 20, 2008 | 9:10 AM

I love it too, but at $56k... I'll have to stick with my Jeep, which really really sucks since I am getting 13 mpg on a 64 mile daily commute, but am $10k upside down.
p2aikj read my blog view my photos
Jun 21, 2008 | 7:29 PM

princessme - I'm with you! Why is all the "healthy" or better for you stuff so much more expensive?? Just doesn't make any sense to me!!
p2aikj read my blog view my photos
Jun 21, 2008 | 7:29 PM

princessme - I'm with you! Why is all the "healthy" or better for you stuff so much more expensive?? Just doesn't make any sense to me!!
dschacherl
Jun 21, 2008 | 8:05 PM

Although, the price is a little steep, it can pay for itself. GM offers an 8yr/100,000 mi warranty for the Hybrid Tahoe components. You get all the equipment that an LTZ Tahoe has as standard equipment. Also, the governement gives you a $2200 tax credit for purchasing an environmentally safe vehicle. With the sticker price being approx $51,700 that's about $6,900 more than a comparably equipped standard Tahoe. With the credit from the IRS that brings the difference down to $4700. Right now if you are a current GM owner, you can qualify for a rebate of $4000 called Owner Loyalty. Now that brings the difference down to $700. If you drive 15,000 miles per year you will consume approx 150 fewer gallons of gas per year compared to the standard Tahoe. That is a savings of about $600 per year which leaves you with a $100 dollar difference. So I believe that if you are in the market for a full size SUV that is eco-friendly, $100 might be worth it, don't you think?

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articl
eId=124466/pageNumber=1
GeeDubya3 read my blog view my photos
Jun 22, 2008 | 9:15 PM

Kristine,

I was working for a Chevrolet dealership last year when the Tahoe Hybrids were introduced to the market. At the time that they first broke ground and hit the showroom floors, the dealership was including a $10,000 mark-up, which was disclosed on the sticker as it sat in the showroom. The hybrids were on a "by order only" basis. I worked behind the scenes, performing pre-delivery/quality control at the time and one of my requirements in the pre-delivery process was to test-drive all vehicles. The Tahoe Hybrid base model was just like the '08 Tahoe LTZ, same features(with a few optional features) and I'll be honest w/you, I wasn't really impressed. When you turn the key over in the ignition, it was a quiet start. When you take off, it feels like you're driving a golf cart until you reach a certain rpm before the engine begins to cycle fuel. At the same, Im sitting here thinking to myself, "what happens if and when gas prices start to fall?" Will the sticker price be the same as they were a year ago? We shall see.
KristineGalvan read my blog view my photos
Jun 23, 2008 | 9:26 AM

Hmmm...

Thanks for the insite, guys. I have to say I absolutely love GM products. Just about everyone in my family drives one (aunts, uncles, in-laws included). No one has ever had any type of major issue with them.

That said... I still have a "crush" on the hybrid. I love the fact that there are not too many out there. The dealership I tested drove with (Bill Heard- Sugarland) did not have a $10,000 mark up. In fact, they went out of the way to make sure the GM owner loyalty discount would be applied and locate the color I was interested in purchasing. (They only had a black one. I wanted silver).

The car is absolutely gorgeous. Had it been just my decision I would've gone with the Hybrid. When you have "another half" you have to compromise a bit...
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KristineGalvan

I love Houston, but miss South Texas... ...Have a weakness for pasta and vinegar-soaked cucumbers made by my father-in-law's sister in Kansas or.... The Blue Onion in Weslaco (McAllen too!)...I absolutely love the outdoors, and can never resist a nap! And did I mention I found in Houston the most amazing "better half" I could have ever wished for? Besos!

Member Since: 11/2/2006


 

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