Your 2009 Toyota has 155,000 miles. Should she drive hybrid or electric?

A woman was debating whether to buy a regular, hybrid or electric car after driving the same Toyota for 155,000 miles. It sparked a whole, cross-generational debate.

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In a video with over 11,000 views, TikTok user @grace_lemire debated the pros and cons of different types of cars and argued that she needs to buy a new vehicle once she drives her 2009 Toytota Camry “into the ground.”

Lemire said, “I’m trying to figure out what car I’m going to get because I’ve been saving for a down payment on a car for over a year.”

Like many future car buyers, Lemire waited to see what options presented herself.

“I feel like the future is electric, but I’ve heard from a lot of people that having an electric car is really, really annoying,” she added.

So which cars should first-time buyers pay attention to and should new buyers buy a regular, hybrid or electric vehicle?

What do electric and hybrid cars do?

Both hybrid and electric cars can benefit customers by reducing or eliminating gas costs.

Electric cars, which are powered by a rechargeable battery, do not require gasoline and therefore have no gasoline costs at all. Instead, electric car users pay to charge their cars, which is on average three times cheaper per mile when using leading brands like Tesla Motors.

Hybrid vehicles also use a battery, which does not need to be charged. Instead, users can pump their vehicles with gasoline or use an internal power system, saving money by switching between using fuel or regenerative braking.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of electric cars?

More and more car buyers are choosing to buy electric vehicles, which offer completely different benefits than buying a normal car. On the one hand, electric vehicles tend to be energy efficient and quiet. Electric cars also require fewer repairs than gasoline-powered vehicles, with consumers paying an average of $4,600 less for maintenance.

While Lemire called electric cars the future, many people still choose to buy traditional cars. As she mentioned in her TikTok video, charging an electric vehicle can get “really annoying,” especially in rural areas.

64 percent of Americans now live within 2 miles of a charging station, but there is still a large percentage of customers who live miles from places where they can charge their electric vehicles. In certain counties in the US, previously functioning charging stations have been abandoned and have become “charging deserts.”

The simple reality for many people buying a car is that a charging station may not always be readily available, especially for those who live in low-income areas.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of hybrid cars?

Hybrid cars have many advantages compared to electric and gas vehicles. In many ways, hybrid vehicles offer the best of both worlds, with superior mileage and fuel efficiency depending on the make and model.

However, hybrid cars also have a whole host of problems. For one thing, if a buyer chooses their vehicle’s electric mode over gas-powered mode, they could put undue strain on the battery and deplete it more quickly. Hybrid batteries can last between 80,000 and 100,000 miles, but this depends on usage. Many people prefer to use one mode over the other and have difficulty maintaining balance with their car, unknowingly damaging the vehicle if they use electric mode more often.

Lemire’s video attracted a large number of TikTok commenters who expressed their opinions on various reliable car purchases, mostly in favor of individual brands rather than “gasoline, hybrid or electric vehicles.”

@Jameson left a positive comment and said: “Hybrid Rav4s are great. Reliable, fuel efficient, comfortable and plenty of room for strollers and things you plan on doing in the future!”

Hybrid Toyota RAV4 vehicles have fairly positive reviews from 2020 to 2024. Other commenters also agreed with @Jameson and added that they support the vehicle.

What should buyers get from their car when they drive close to the ground?

Ultimately, the difference between a gasoline, hybrid, or electric vehicle depends on the person buying it, as well as the make, model, and brand. The majority of commenters reiterated different hybrid models from Toyota or Mazda, but each individual vehicle offers different safety features for consumers.

Whatever vehicle fits one person, it may not feel right to another.

The Daily Dot contacted Grace Lemire via email and TikTok direct message, and Toyota Motor Corporation via email for comment.

@grace_lemire, if you love your car, tell me about it!!! Even if you hate your car, I know what to avoid!! and thoughts on electric or hybrid vehicles?? #buy a car #hybrid vehicle #electric vehicle #Toyota #Honda #Kia ♬ Original sound – Grace

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