Goal For The Green

Presented By Verizon Networkfleet

Photo by Jyle Dupuis via Flickr

What is old to some can be new for others when it comes to hybrid vehicles. According to the New York Times, an estimated 415,000 used hybrids were on the market this past May, with some used Toyota Prius models listed as low as $15,000. Similar hybrid models remain competitively priced today, as a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid was recently listed for $15,495 on the used car dealership website Drive Time. However, buyers willing to spend more to own the newest models not only get the full life of a manufacturer’s warranty but they may also be eligible for the federal Plug-In Electric Drive Vehicle Credit as well as other state tax credits, as the IRS notes.

Photo by motorblog via Flickr

Whether you buy a used or new model, there are certainly advantages that come with owning a hybrid vehicle—namely the improved gas mileage that will save you money by spending less time at the pump. According to the Huffington Post, hybrid car sales rose about 73 percent from 2011 to 2012 to an estimated 440,000 units. If you do decide to look for a used hybrid vehicle, there are a few things that you will want to keep in mind during your search.

As the automotive website Edmunds.com noted, “the first and most important step a prospective buyer should take” is to conduct a thorough check of the used hybrid’s service record. As hybrid vehicle specialist Carolyn Coquilette told Edmunds, the fact that hybrids are largely computer-controlled is good because it generally means you’re not going to have the same concerns about prior driving abuse you would have with other cars. Instead, one concern for hybrid buyers has more to do with the specialized batteries.

The April 2013 issue of Consumer Reports reported that nearly 20 percent of 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid owners required a battery replacement over a 12-month survey period. Additionally, the replacement rate was more than 10 percent for 2003, 2004 and 2010 Civic Hybrid models. Because hybrid batteries can range between $2,000 and $4,000 to replace, that is an understandable concern for potential buyers.

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However, the Times noted that federal regulations require all hybrids to carry a minimum of a 100,000-mile, eight-year battery warranty, and some tests have shown that hybrid batteries can last much longer. John O’Dell, a senior editor at Edmunds, told the Times that battery life shouldn’t be a concern if a car is less than five years old and has fewer than 100,000 miles. Additionally, two executives at top automotive battery companies told the Wall Street Journal that the cost of lithium-ion batteries used in electric and hybrid vehicles will likely be about half of today’s price by 2020.

Another important step in looking for a used hybrid vehicle is to have an independent inspection performed by a trained hybrid mechanic. While many locations will typically have signage letting you know that they employ such trained mechanics, some dealerships do not always have certified mechanics. If you are unsure where to find qualified technicians in your area, the Auto Career Development Center lists such locations.

Photo by jurvetson via Flickr

Price can understandably be the major sticking point for those torn between buying new or used, but it should be noted that David Wurster, president of automotive research company Vincentric, told Forbes that while most hybrids have higher depreciation costs than non-hybrids, about half the hybrids his company analyzed in November 2012 had lower depreciation rates than the non-hybrids. Prospective buyers should also learn about the potential incentives their state offers—many of which are tax credits worth thousands of dollars.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cooper Tire for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

You probably already know that Cooper Tire, has been crafting tires for life’s road trips, for nearly 100 years.They boast a full product portfolio, that fits most vehicles on the road today. Cooper Tires manufactures top quality passenger, light truck, sport utility, performance and winter tires.

As of today, March 22, Cooper Tires Facebook fans may submit their not-so-every day road trip stories on the company’s Facebook  fanpage. You can enter the Cooper Tire’s My Every Day Road Trip Contest, in one of the following ways: a written story, a photo or a video. Winners will be selected based on criteria such as originality, creativity,  your passion for Cooper tires as well as your own compelling content. You have until March 29th, to enter in this way or by photo.

The top written story will win a $100 gift card to use toward gas for one week, and the highest rated photo entry will receive a $500 gift card to use toward gas for one month.

Whether you enter the contest or not, you can visit Cooper Tire’s Facebook page, for complete contest and sweepstakes rules and submission guidelines. While you are there, you may also want to “like” the Cooper Tire Facebook fan page, perhaps enter the contest, and visit the Cooper Tire website.

If you need a little inspiration watch this video:

From the video enteries in the contest, the top five video finalists will each win a new set of four Cooper tires and advance to the final phase of the competition.

In the final phase of the competition, Cooper Tire Facebook fans will be encouraged to vote for their favorite Every Day Road Trip video, to help determine the final winner. Voting [for an opportunity to enter the sweepstakes] begins April 15).Then, the video with the combined highest score and most votes will be awarded a gift card for $5,000 toward gas for one year to fuel their daily drive. What a deal!

You even have an opportunity to Win, just by voting. Cooper Tire is also offering its fans a chance to win a “Road Trip Kit” just for voting during the “My Every Day Road Trip” sweepstakes. Beginning April 15, you can vote for your favorite top video to help determine the overall Cooper Tire Facebook video winner. Each time you vote (only once per day),you will automatically receive an entry to win a “Road Trip Kit.” The “Road Trip,” prize pack includes several items to keep you on-the-go, including a $100 Cooper Tire auto service voucher, a $50 gas card, $50 iTunes gift card and Cooper gear. Best of luck to all who enter, and remember, tires are for people and safety, NOT just for cars.