Yes-- what does having a lead foot have to do specifically with a hybrid? Only that the car tells you you’re wasting gas. You’re certainly doing the same in your gas only car!
Again, as people have noted here-- battery issues are really rare in hybrids these days (and really, also in the old ones). They’re really considered ‘life of vehicle’ parts.
The Ford Fusion plug-in does have a small trunk. My husband’s Volt’s is much bigger for some reason.
Ooooh… that Volvo!
The Volt was designed as a hybrid from the beginning, so much of the battery is under the rear seat. This is better for both luggage space and handling (lower polar moment of inertia).
My husband has a Fusion plug and is really happy with it. In the worst of the winter weather the gas engine does come on for the 3 minute commute because the car is trying so hard to heat up the cabin. He finds the seat is good for his bad back. The trunk is tiny. We use the subaru for airport runs.
In my many years of buying cars I don’t think I have ever checked out the wipers before buying! This would weird me out too. I drove an older Mercedes once that had a single giant wiper and found that I had an almost irrational hatred of it. Thank you for the tip…“check wipers” is now on my car shopping checklist.
If you lead foot in a powerful car on wet roads, you should expect wheelspin.
@Otterma lol I never check either. I just happened to hit the lever by accident and they came on. I really don’t like them. I know it’s probably silly but it just very disconcerting!
@DadTwoGirls We bought a new Toyota 18 months ago. We haven’t had a single sales call from them. I suspect your experience might be related to the dealership and not Toyota.
“We bought a new Toyota 18 months ago. We haven’t had a single sales call from them. I suspect your experience might be related to the dealership and not Toyota.”
thanks! This is good to know, and will come in handy the next time that we buy a car.
hah! Growing up, we had a Rambler station wagon for most of my childhood, and the windshield wipers went opposite ways. As a child, I always thought the ones that other people had that went the same way were weird. Almost 50 years later, and all of my cars since have had the same way–but opposite still feels less foreign to me.
@ucbalumnus my kids and husband don’t drive as heavy as me, and it does the same thing.
Thanks to all who commented, I just purchased a Jetta.
Boy, @partyof5, you don’t waste any time! You’re as quick on the trigger as you are heavy on the pedal. 
I’ve been driving a 2004 Prius for about a year now, my mom’s former car. Several ‘inconvenience’ issues have arisen that I hadn’t anticipated. The main battery has been fine, but the auxiliary battery has died a few times when the hatch back didn’t close all the way and the interior light was left on. Last time this happened the battery was dead and needed to be replaced. AAA had to send 3 guys before we got someone who could tow the car. When the battery is dead you can’t put the car in neutral to tow it. It took the poor tow driver an hour to get the tires on little wheeled dollies to get it out of our driveway. Plus the replacement auxiliary battery is expensive and hard to find.
Next, the air conditioner failed and no independent shop would fix it. Even the dealer has a special team trained for the Prius because the voltage from the main battery is so dangerous. The good news is that these problems also mean the car is probably the least likely one to be stolen in any given southern CA parking lot.
At the end of next year BMW is set to begin selling their X3 as a hybrid option. May still be federal rebates available since BMW has not reached the quota for sales.
@doschicos my life is CRAZY right now. I didn’t even haggle as much as I normally wouldve. If anyone has been following my story it took forever to find decent housing in Chicago. I came back here to close on my house so I only have a few days to shop for a car because I didn’t want to buy it in illinois. My D2 is graduating next month, and my son is getting married this summer. So yes, I am trying to tick off items quickly on my to do list!!
I have a 2009 Prius with almost 200K miles. It will be passed on to 17yo D in a month or so and I will replace it with a new or almost new Prius. I would love a Tesla, but drive over 100 miles a day and there are not charging stations near work. If the battery dies on my Prius while my D is using it, it will be replaced with another used Prius. I have had not big issues with this car. Tires are my biggest expense. Oh, and I live in the Boston are, driving in the snow is no big deal. No different than any other front wheel drive car I have owned.
Every Tesla can handle well over 100 miles on a single charge. That alone shouldn’t be a reason to drop it from considrration.
Or buy the electric/gas hybrid like my Fusion or the Volt.
We have 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid and a 2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid. We have not had any trouble with either one. We are very happy with both of them. When we buy our next car it will also be a Hybrid.
@hebegebe "Every Tesla can handle well over 100 miles on a single charge. That alone shouldn’t be a reason to drop it from considrration. "
My understanding is bad weather can cause milage to drop. I drive 100+ miles/day M-F. Some days more, but most days I hover around 100 to 110. I will look again though.
Prius works great for my needs right now.
Most Teslas should get around 200 or more miles so even with cold weather, it shouldn’t be an issue. Sure costs a lot more than a Prius, though!
I have a 2010 Prius that is getting close to 100,000 miles (yes, I have a long commute to work!). I still love it. We’ve never had any problems with it.