Buying a used hybrid car avoids the costly appreciation associated with new vehicles. Buying a used hybrid car does not eliminate depreciation entirely, but will go a long way to reducing it. It is worth noting, however, that buying a used hybrid car does not make the purchaser eligible for hybrid car tax deductions as these are solely for the purchase of new vehicles. These tax credits can be quite significant. The maximum allowable federal tax credit for a new hybrid vehicle purchase is presently $3400. Factor in state income tax credits of as much as $4000 in Colorado and other states and the tax savings alone may make the determination between buying a new hybrid car and buying a used hybrid car. In Connecticut, hybrid vehicles with an EPA rated mileage of greater than 40 mpg are exempt from sales tax. In New Mexico, hybrid vehicles with an EPA rated fuel mileage greater than 27.5 mpg are exempt from state excise tax for the year of purchase.

A quick perusal of major online used car websites indicate that buying a used hybrid car can cut up to half of a hybrid car’s cost when compared to buying new.

When taking such a financial leap, many buyers are comforted by the knowledge that their new, technologically advanced dream machine carries a hybrid car warranty equal to or in excess of any warranty to be found on standard, non-hybrid cars. Check with the manufacturer and read the fine print, but these warranties are typically transferable.

At the top of the list of items potential hybrid buyers are concerned about is the vehicle’s battery. The battery acts as the storage reservoir for electrical energy generated when the vehicle brakes or when the engine can run more efficiently by charging the battery while also driving the wheels. Size, weight and voltages of these batteries can very widely from vehicle to vehicle. Some are only slightly larger or higher in voltage than the deep-cycle batteries found on semis. Others operate at nearly 300 volts and make up whole sections of the vehicle. Small or large, high-voltage or low-voltage; these batteries could make for a hefty repair bill upon failure. To alleviate consumers’ fears of just this, manufacturers of hybrid vehicles have added protections to their warranties to cover battery replacement far beyond the expiration of the vehicle’s bumper-to-bumper warranty. Durations of these battery warranties vary, but are typically in the neighborhood of eight years and 80,000 to 100,000 miles.

It seems if one thing is constant, it is change. Hybrid cars are changing the very way Americans choose new and used cars. With reduced fuel costs and substantial tax credits, purchasers can keep more of their own change in their pockets. Buying a used hybrid car can help to keep those pockets even more full.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid is a roomy, five passenger sedan suitable for carting kids around or several business travelers. The deep, 10.6 cubic foot trunk easily accepts groceries or luggage. A powerful electric motor pairs with the 2.4 liter inline four-cylinder found in the standard Camry. This combination keeps the Toyota Camry Hybrid ahead of most 4-cylinder family sedans in terms of performance and on par with many six-cylinder family sedans while maintaining fuel mileages in the mid to upper 30’s.

The Nissan Altima Hybrid features a Toyota licensed Synergy drive. Toyota helped to develop the electric motor and computer controls. These are joined to a modified version of the 2.5 liter four-cylinder found in the standard, non-hybrid Nissan Altima. The combination yields a strong 198 horsepower that is then fed through a CVT, or continuously variable transmission out to handsome 16 inch wheels.

A strong point of the Honda Civic Hybrid for many is that, with the exception of a few gauges, the car is very similar to a standard Honda Civic, one of the best-selling compact cars in America. On the Honda Civic Hybrid, a powerful electric motor pairs with the 1.3 liter inline four-cylinder found in the standard Honda Civic. This results in a peak power output of 110 horsepower. The gasoline and electric motor feeds into a continuously variable transmission. This combination keeps the Honda Civic Hybrid on par with most 4-cylinder compact sedans in terms of performance while maintaining fuel mileages in the low 50’s.

The second generation Toyota Prius debuted in the 2004 model year with a four-door hatchback and seats up to five people. While the Prius’s hybrid powertrain has a 1.5-liter gasoline-fueled engine, drivers still have more than sufficient power, efficient fuel economy and reduced tailpipe emissions.

If it’s a SUV you’re looking for, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid offers an available 3rd row seat for seating up to 7 and all wheel drive to power through the mud and snow. The 288 volt battery and three electric motors add a hefty punch to the vehicle’s spirited 3.3 liter V-6. The combination adds up to a prodigious 268 horsepower while sipping gas at the rate of 31 miles per gallon highway and 27 miles per gallon in the city. That power gives the Toyota Highlander Hybrid the ability to tow up to 3500 pounds with authority.

The Saturn Vue Green Line uses a unique gasoline electric hybrid system. Termed a “mild” hybrid, the Saturn system eschews the complicated Synergy drive favored by Toyota. Instead, the Saturn Vue Green Lines starts with GM’s 2.4-liter Ecotec inline four-cylinder engine. This engine is then modified by removing the starter and alternator. A new 5-kilowatt starter-alternator is fitted to provide motor assist and battery charging capabilities. In addition, this unit also acts as the starter when battery power is applied and the engine is off. Battery power comes from a large 36-volt Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery located just below the floor of the cargo area. All in all, this approach yields a impressive mileage in the mid-30’s.

With so many versatile models to choose from, it’s clear to see that in 2007, the line between fuel efficiency and desirable cars has been erased.