I purchased this car brand new as a work vehicle. I am a driving instructor with Young Drivers of Canada. When I first considered this car, everybody said " what about when the batteries die" After a bit of research, Yellow Taxi in Vancouver was running 300,000 km with no issues. I looked at it this way, if you get 300,000 km and your tranny goes and it costs you $3000.00 to fix it and go another 300 k then why not repair it. As of today Feb 1, 2013 I have 265, 312 km on my Camry Hybrid and I have done absolutely no repairs. I have replaced tires, headlight bulbs, front signal bulbs,as rear tail+signal lights are led's. I had to replace the power mirror switch, which gets used at least 10 times a day. The only extra maintenance is the inverter coolant change. This blows everybody away, I finally have to replace the brakes in the next week or so. I am still on the ORIGINAL brake pads. We, at Young Drivers teach our students how to SLAM on the brakes from 80 kph, I have taught a lot of students this skill in 5 years, how many drivers SLAM on their brakes from 80 k 5-6 times a week? As far as fuel economy. I routinely get about 980 - 1000 km per tank on about 60-65 litres. My previous car was a 2003 corolla and I got about 600-650 k on a tank. My thought process when I bought this car was, if my car+gas payment were the same as my Corolla then it was affordable, if I could save $75.00/month they were equal, my Camry Hybrid saved me $150.00/month on fuel alone factor in brake costs saving and the car was worth the extra money plus the fact the car is very comfortable, I spend 10-12 hours/day in it and it is very adjustable for a student, my tallest student was 6'-7" and my shortest is 4'-6". I will definitely buy another unless they come out with a 2 door :)