V8s beat Prius

Tim Blair makes the point that a good second hand V8 makes far more economic sense then the petrol miserly Prius.

Let’s say -- it’s a big assumption, but stay with me -- that this canny buyer was in our category of potential Prius purchasers. By opting for the unwanted V8, he saved about $31,000 off the list price of a new hybrid.

At current pump prices, that means he’s got enough left in the bank to buy 19,375 litres of petrol—sufficient to propel that Commodore for 161,458km, given its estimated 12l/100k fuel consumption.

Australian motor vehicles are driven an average 14,600km per year, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The Commodore buyer has saved enough on purchase price alone compared to the Prius to cover -- get this -- 11 years of driving. Moreover, he’s covered those 11 years while owning something that doesn’t scream “gender reassignment surgery’’ every time he rolls down the street.....

Converting that V8 to LPG would give further savings. We looked at hybrids a while ago and they just make no sense. We purchased a small Jap box instead.

Howevers heres a hybrid vehicle that even Tim Blair may like.