Looking At New Hybrids...

J

jmsc

New member
due to the skyrocketing price of gas. I have a pre-order on a 2006 Civic but I can change my order. Has anyone looked at or driven or purchased a new Toyota Prius or a new Honda Civic Hybrid recently?



Curious as to their prices, IRS deductions, driveability, pep/quickness, handling, problems.
 
If you like the Civic, then you'll like the Civic Hybrid. They drive almost exactly the same. The only difference you'll notice is the upfront cost and the increased gas mileage.



The Prius has been having reliability issues lately. IMO, I'd get the Civic Hybrid if you wanted a hybrid.:)
 
I drove the Honda Civic Hybrid recently and this is what I thought about this hybrid. the ride and

handling were very good on the Civic. the acceleration curve will take a little getting used to. you really have to get the rpm's up to get this car going. not a big deal though. I think the big problem right now with the Hybrids and this Civic is the unknown. they give you a 8 year 80000

mile warranty on the battery pack but I would do 80000 in a few years. Honda would not tell me what the cost of the batteries would be to replace. I have read online that they would be upwards of 5-6000 thousand or more. I would think in the next few years they will get cheaper with more production. also no idea what the resale would be on the Hybrid although its a Honda so it should be good. In the end I decided not to get one and I am currently looking for a high mileage gas car like the Corolla or TDI Jetta.



Later,04MysticCobra.
 
Both the Prius and Civic are very nice cars, just that Prius seem to have more to offer with the regenerative braking system, optional HIDs, and the geeky look.



I tend to agree with MsticCobra, get a VW with their TDI engine or a corolla.
 
My dealer said there's a 1 year waiting list for the Prius right now.....

I've been eyeing a nice TDI for a couple years now.
 
StoicDude said:
Either I or you has this wrong. It says that the deductions are "deductions", so no hard cash.

You will probably end up saving about 500 bucks with that kind of a deduction.

here is a link

http://biz.yahoo.com/brn/050817/15813.html?.v=1
Click to expand...



Under the "old" law it's a deduction. The new law....."Starting in 2006, hybrid-car buyers and advanced lean-burn technology vehicles will be eligible for tax credits ranging from $1,700-$3,000;..." That's taken from the yahoo article.



Tax credit = cash
 
My understanding is that both the Civic and Prius use their electric motors to generate electricity and that this process is called regenerative braking. Therefore I don't believe the Prius is anymore technologically advanced than the Civic. As for the hybrid Accord, it only gets 29/73 mpg, which is not a very significant gain compared to other hybrids on the market and is only 8 mpg better than a regular V6 Accord.
 
get a Honda Insight... they actually DO get really good mileage. My boss has one & averages about 50 mpg driving to/from his home in the mountains north of L.A.
 
The best suggestion I can give you is to go test drive both cars and then decide from there. I think both cars will be costly to maintain when it comes to the battery. As always in my experience with any car the more electrical crap it has the more that can go bad. Honda and Toyota both make solid and reliable cars. I think they will be great buys either one. I've sat in both and they seem like great cars. Go test drive them and compare options. See which one is a better match for you. Just cause its a good match for me doesn't mean it'll be a good match for you.
 
manuels_madness said:
The best suggestion I can give you is to go test drive both cars and then decide from there. I think both cars will be costly to maintain when it comes to the battery. As always in my experience with any car the more electrical crap it has the more that can go bad. Honda and Toyota both make solid and reliable cars. I think they will be great buys either one. I've sat in both and they seem like great cars. Go test drive them and compare options. See which one is a better match for you. Just cause its a good match for me doesn't mean it'll be a good match for you.
Click to expand...



I have to agree with the comments on the maintenance issues with hybrids. I don't know if in the long run the saving in gas will actually be higher than the cost of repairing the electric components and replacing the battery pack. Since you are really going into uncharted territory with hybrids it is impossible to foresee what the long term costs of ownership and what the resale values will be like.
 
ddolat said:
I have to agree with the comments on the maintenance issues with hybrids. I don't know if in the long run the saving in gas will actually be higher than the cost of repairing the electric components and replacing the battery pack. Since you are really going into uncharted territory with hybrids it is impossible to foresee what the long term costs of ownership and what the resale values will be like.
Click to expand...



I'd say just stick with your regular Civic or go for the TDI. You can tune them with a nice chip for more power, without sacrificing much gas mileage. The TDIs have really good resale, too.
 
Spoiledman was right. The brak in 06 will be hard cash. Here is the link: http://www.hybridcars.com/tax-deductions.html





Sorry baout the confusion. The deductions applied to this year only.

What i do not get is, if the incentive is based on gas savings, why does the tdi not get any breaks? I would have to read the bill in more detail and i know i do not hav ethe time for that.
 
if you really interested in saving money

get a 03 toyota echo and get 40mpg mixed city/highway and only spend $8000 for it

or you can get a 2000 model for like 4-5K
 
atticdog said:
if you really interested in saving money

get a 03 toyota echo and get 40mpg mixed city/highway and only spend $8000 for it

or you can get a 2000 model for like 4-5K
Click to expand...



Very sound advice!



Did you order the Hitachi??
 
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