Payback for Hybrid Cars

This is a follow up post to my May 29th post, “Hybrid Vehicle Rebates”.

I was recently reading an article at MoneyCentral entitled “The Costly Secrets of Hybrid Cars”. This article questions the cost effectiveness of buying a hybrid vehicle and provides the cost difference between the hybrid and gas versions of a few different vehicles. More detail is provided in the article however, a basic summary is that although hybrid vehicles do save you money on gas they are not yet cost effective in the long run due to the higher initial sticker price.

To read the entire article please click here.

Stolen Luxury Cars

Thinking of buying a luxury car? Maybe you like to ride around in style or perhaps you’re hoping a brand new luxury car will guide you through a mid-life crisis. Either way here’s something to consider when buying a new luxury car.

“Every 25.5 seconds, a vehicle is stolen in the U.S., according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Vehicle theft is the costliest property crime in America, costing consumers more than US$8.6 billion annually.”

Here is a list of the 7 luxury cars with the highest probability of being stolen. (all prices in US Dollars)

1. Cadillac - Escalade SUV - Base price: $55,045
2. BMW - 7 Series Sedan - Base price: $78,900
3. Land Rover – Range Rover SUV - Base price: $77,250 (tie)
3. Lincoln Navigator 4-wheel-drive SUV - Base price: $46,575 (tie)
4. Lexus – GS Sedan - Base price: $44,150
5. Mercedes Benz S-Class long-wheelbase sedan - Base price: $86,525
6. Mercedes Benz SL-Class convertible - Base price: $95,575

So basically if your going to drop a lot of cash on a luxury car it might be worth spending a few extra bucks and getting a decent security system put in.