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Hybrid cars - is it worth the switch now?


Meecar
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Hi, I'm Andy, I'm new here, can anyone tell me are there many hybrid cars in Singapore?

Hi Andy ,

 

This is a car lovers forum..Not LTA forum lei...

Think u better ask Chris Tan (ST Car Editor) as per your request.

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Neutral Newbie

FYI, I can be very sure that AD give a better price than from 3rd party in this issue.

You just need to use a bit of your PR skill when doing nego.

Other plus point is they are the AD and you can be sure that the part are genuine (unless you are those type ppl don't trust anyone, you can always go ahead to request for those shipping and purchase document of the new battery)

 

Why I'm so sure?

My uncle recently changed one in AD and they make sure you are around when they open up the new battery.

I kaypo went along. [:p]

Btw you should know you can get some discount off the listed price right?

You will be amazed by the discount if you know how to ask.

You maybe right if talking about new genuine parts, but if you have an old car left with 3~4 years, you may want to save (2~3k) from a 5k repair. This is because the 3k will set you back your old caar depreciation by about 1 k each year. Financially not prudent unless u really love yoyr ride so much.

Case in point, i have a Civic hybrid recently sent to Km, the thing that pissed me off is not just the hefty 5k replacement of PDU, but their unsure about if replacing that will entirely solve the ImA and engine light up problems.

Hence, decided to use outside ws and totally cost me half the price! But in terms of quality im still trying out the replacement and repair for at least a few thousand kilometers. Moreover this specialise hybrid ws gave 6 mo.warranty for the part replaced.( But u have to ask for it).

Look out for my next post or thread about using AD or outside WS for Honda hybrid.

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Neutral Newbie

With Uber and taxi companies buying so many hybrids now, who knows if they set up theirnown workshop to service them? And then branch out to service other private owners?

Another revenue source for them.

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Neutral Newbie

I don't really know if it is worth the switch but imo the servicing of hybrid cars isn't as matured as in the states. Try googling for specialized hybrid servicing workshops and you will get more results for those in US. And probably because of that the few specialized shops here is showing sign of complacency knowing that they can capture the market even with poor standard. Recently i got the dreadful POA80 fault code and check your hybrid fault light and after searching high/low for a reputable shop decided to go to HEVSHOP at Kaki Bukit due to the numerous good reviews online. What I experienced was totally the opposite in term of transparency, cost and customer services. I went in hope of they being a specialized shop able to offer a cheaper option than the OEM but they shot down my suggestion of reconditions my batt or even swooping with a already recon batt. Their justifications were bad and were flip-flopping along the way just to narrow down my option to buying a new batt which they offered at a price approx the same as the OEM. Left with no choice as they have ready stock I decided to go for a new batt change after considering for 2 weeks and was told that the price is now $300 more due to a new batch that they bought at a higher price.i was skeptical because the guy think called Simon was trying to pluck a number in his head and didn't want to commit but when I asked for a exact price he settled for $300 more than his initial quote. Scary to think it could have been more... I decided to still go ahead but requested for assurance that the batt will be a new OEM original which I was assured that there will be pictures and data printout provided. However when collecting my car I was shocked to find neither but I insisted on that cos I'm paying good money for an original OEM and I don't think is too much to ask for assurance that it is indeed an original. Was told they forgot to take pic but would run a data test on the "new" batt. I asked for any other thing like a label with serial number or packaging but was shouted at for asking too much. In the end they showed me some discarded wooden box saying it was the packaging. And to my horror the date on the batt was 2 months back which means it isn't a new batch and I really want to question why the additional $300 but they were getting a little too aggressive for my liking so decided to leave it as that. The warranty on the battery is subjected to me sending my car there for regular 6 mth servicing but no way I am not going back even If it means to forgo my warranty.

The above is not against any particular shop as some other specialized shop for hybrid may also be exhibiting the same to certain extent but some shop could be worse. But it just goes to show the mentality some of the shops here if they don't feel there is any competitors out there to make them focus more on their services and transparency. On a ending note I would suggesting also monitoring the maturity of the maintenance industry for hybrids as one of the factor to consider as well if not be prepared for the risk of burning good money and getting frustrated both at the same time during maintenance.

Yes, agreed, its sad our hybrid servicing ws and parts replacement is very backward still comparing with the US...despite we have already almost 2 decades of hybrid on our roads. This is why many are still very hesitant about going for hybrid or full electric due to the aftersales support.

I would say if one decide on Hybrid make sure the battery warranty is long enough to outlast or be same as the car life (& i think only right now BM has that,KM as Honda AD even stopped selling Hyb!?).

However, u have to consider other parts replacement COSTs as well. Fyi, there are many other parts that can cost upto 5k by AD, not just battery.

About using recond.battery, agree with the advisse that recond/used battery is as good as dont replace. If u understand battery tech, u will know battery is a chemical component and once deteriorated impossible to recond. U can only do a balancing of the cells, ie.take out bad cells and replace so the pack gives better performance as a whole. There is also a life span as specified by mfr.

 

About HevShop, agree with your observation - they are NOT professional in their customer service at all:- no price quotation or good reason for replacing the parts!! So be very specific when u send in your hybrid to them. Insist on a list of things they want to do after assessing and ask for their prices. U have to decide if those items need replacing, my experience with them is not good, they just do the job and put the invioice n expect u to pay. This already too late. They also avoid talking too much with u and also non committal when ask for pricing. So do beware. If anyone want more details, pls pm me.

I share all these to alert all hybrid owners here, and hope more trustworthy ws will be set up in the years to come.

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Hybrid cars, been here done that.

 

10 yr AD warranty for the hybrid battery is the only way to go. That said, you are tied to the AD for 10 yrs for them to glean you off for the regular servicings and wear and tear parts. 

 

 

So for now, I am done with hybrids.

 

 

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This hybrid car thingy is no better dan formulated milk powder in terms of marketing.

 

If you look at the bigger picture when it comes to issues of the battery pack you will see that it's not as ideal as ppl might think.

 

Reconditioning of the battery pack.

Too labour intensive and too time consuming compared to swap a new battery pack.

 

Replacement of the battery pack.

Cost. And when you think about it where does the used battery pack goes. Marketing don't talk about this. How much of it can be re-used and recycled? Recycling process of the batt is it cost effective? Or is it more cost effective to chuck it into the bin? A lot of such issues are not properly addressed when hybrid cars are pushed into the market. End up mankind creating more harmful waste. Just look at the regular batteries we use and the smartphone/powerbanks. Nobody bothers to recycle the lot.

 

We do not know what direction the hybrid car trend will go before the waste battery becomes an eye sore and a problem. It has always been making money first for major car makers.

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Supersonic

This hybrid car thingy is no better dan formulated milk powder in terms of marketing.

 

If you look at the bigger picture when it comes to issues of the battery pack you will see that it's not as ideal as ppl might think.

 

Reconditioning of the battery pack.

Too labour intensive and too time consuming compared to swap a new battery pack.

 

Replacement of the battery pack.

Cost. And when you think about it where does the used battery pack goes. Marketing don't talk about this. How much of it can be re-used and recycled? Recycling process of the batt is it cost effective? Or is it more cost effective to chuck it into the bin? A lot of such issues are not properly addressed when hybrid cars are pushed into the market. End up mankind creating more harmful waste. Just look at the regular batteries we use and the smartphone/powerbanks. Nobody bothers to recycle the lot.

 

We do not know what direction the hybrid car trend will go before the waste battery becomes an eye sore and a problem. It has always been making money first for major car makers.

U just gave the LTA scholars another 'environmental' reason to levy more tax on us.
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If your yearly mileage for car is more than 30k, then it might be justifiable to get one hybrid. Else normal ride will do, car will FC of 15km/l would be okie

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Neutral Newbie

I persoanally feel, that petrol and diesel engine are in their last decade of manufacturing. They have done their bit. Switch to tesla ir hyrbrid as per you choice which you sooner or later have to.

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Turbocharged

This hybrid car thingy is no better dan formulated milk powder in terms of marketing.

 

If you look at the bigger picture when it comes to issues of the battery pack you will see that it's not as ideal as ppl might think.

 

Reconditioning of the battery pack.

Too labour intensive and too time consuming compared to swap a new battery pack.

 

Replacement of the battery pack.

Cost. And when you think about it where does the used battery pack goes. Marketing don't talk about this. How much of it can be re-used and recycled? Recycling process of the batt is it cost effective? Or is it more cost effective to chuck it into the bin? A lot of such issues are not properly addressed when hybrid cars are pushed into the market. End up mankind creating more harmful waste. Just look at the regular batteries we use and the smartphone/powerbanks. Nobody bothers to recycle the lot.

 

We do not know what direction the hybrid car trend will go before the waste battery becomes an eye sore and a problem. It has always been making money first for major car makers.

Exactly. Saw an article before about these batteries in their manufacture all the way to recycling and disposal.

 

At current procedures and technologies, it's not really helping save the environment.

 

More of a political tool and hype for geenie consumer's $$$

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Does anyone know of any petrol hybrid model that is

1) omv 20k and below

2) 1.6L and below (low road tax)

 

doesnt matter cat A or B as the coe price is quite close now

 

Thanks!

Edited by Wildfaye29
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Does anyone know of any petrol hybrid model that is

1) omv 20k and below

2) 1.6L and below (low road tax)

 

doesnt matter cat A or B as the coe price is quite close now

 

Thanks!

have you checked out the currently available hybrid models? Prius, Sienta, Freed, C-HR...
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have you checked out the currently available hybrid models? Prius, Sienta, Freed, C-HR...

Also check out the CEVS banding.

If it incurs a high penalty, then not worth it. 

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Well, when I bought my Prius C, it cost more than Altis, and it's Borneo that gave the warranty, and already factor in all the replacement cost so just have to suck thumb since I opt for this car. 

​My apologies for quoting a post that is almost a year old.

 

I would like to know the circumstances that led you to claim warranty for the battery. Was it because the battery was not charging? Or discharging too quickly? Or deteriorated car performance? Or increased FC? How was the battery deemed "spoilt" and needed replacement?

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​My apologies for quoting a post that is almost a year old.

 

I would like to know the circumstances that led you to claim warranty for the battery. Was it because the battery was not charging? Or discharging too quickly? Or deteriorated car performance? Or increased FC? How was the battery deemed "spoilt" and needed replacement?

 

Battery lose charge very quickly. It's the way I drove that squeeze the battery dry, if drive as a sane person, you won't get this issue.

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have you checked out the currently available hybrid models? Prius, Sienta, Freed, C-HR...

All these shld be above 20k omv.

 

I would like 1.6l max for low road tax.

 

Below 20k omv for 30% down.

 

Good FC and hence low daily running cost.

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