Advice on getting hybrid or good alternatives?

[tripleM]

With gas prices predicted to approach $4 per gal, we are seriously thinking of getting a great mpg car for daily duty.
4 doors & real 35+mpg experience is a must.

We're looking @ the two usual suspects: Civic Hybrid, Toyota Prius. But any suggestions is appreciated.

 

[Johnny]

I'm a BIG Honda fan, but hands down the Prius is the best hybrid. I just bought one last week and love it. You will get well above 35 mpg around town in the Prius. ekpolk knows as much about these things as anyone that I have talked with and I'm sure he will chime in sooner or later.

You won't be sorry with the purchase. Check out the following website:

www.priuschat.com it's full of information.

 

[Warlord]

A good alternative would be to wait to see if honda and saturn actually bring the diesel cars they have hinted at.

 

[tripleM]

screw diesel from Honda. I rather get the hydrogen from them if I was going to wait till '08.

69+ mpg!!

 

[DMC]

Quote:

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screw diesel from Honda. I rather get the hydrogen from them if I was going to wait till '08.

69+ mpg!!

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Great, if you have a source for hydrogen.

 

[Warlord]

Quote:

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screw diesel from Honda. I rather get the hydrogen from them if I was going to wait till '08.

69+ mpg!!

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You really think hydrogen is going to be a sensible option next year? Dream on.

 

[tripleM]

Yes. Since a big company like honda wouldn't have announce it without a supply & demand due diligence.

 

[surfstar]

A Corolla gets 40 hwy, a Mazda3i 36+ hwy (manual only) - those are still decent sized cars and you'd have to drive quite a few miles before the hybrids become the better deal economically. Narrow it down to a few cars, then do some real test driving to see which will suit your needs the best. Heck even regular Civics can pull 40 MPG hwy.

 

[tripleM]

Yes, I am noticing the regular Civic LX & EX 140 hp engines are quoted @ 30/40 & around 35 real world. If the hybrids are getting above 40 real world then they may prove their worth. But if they are in the 30's then a non Hybrid would have to be a point of contention.

My only concern with the Mazda3i is the lack of rear leg room (I know since I have a Mazda3 hatch). But have seen various reports of high 30's mpg!
Have not researched the Corolla yet.

Thanks

 

[lindermant]

I have an '05 Civic DX/Value Package (base model with 4spd auto transmission). So far I've averaged 42.19MPG over the 30k miles I've put on her...

Not sure where you are in NoVA, but Koons Honda in Manassas regularly advertises (Wash Post) new base model Civic coupes/sedans with auto/air conditioning for ~$13.5k. Might even get a better deal with the Memorial Day sales that are on the horizon.

 

[tripleM]

That sounds like Hybrid territory to me!
Anywhere from Loundoun down to PW county is consider NoVa for me.

 

[tripleM]

Autoweek Honda FCX Hydrogen Test

 

[Lonnie]

Honda's solution faces some problems. It's based on engineering and manufacturing and will work. Politicians are going to get caught out on this one. In fact, what ever levels Honda may produce these legislators will want more. Getting votes is all they care about and cheap shots at the auto industry is one one to do that. And guess what will come with these hydrogen Hondas. More taxes. If you ever use anything else for fuel, no matter how clean, you'll get taxed.

 

[Johnny]

Can't speek for the Mazda as I've never looked at one, but the Prius has more room inside than either the Civic or Corolla. So for I'm averging low to mid 50's on the highway and mid to high 50's running around town.

 

[tripleM]

Johnny thanks for the testimonials.
The Prius does look like the real deal from my research so far.
Is it worth the premium so dealers are asking for? That is the question of the moment for me.

 

[Winston]

That Honda FCX looks nice. Look a bit like Mercedes "Fish" shaped small car.

 

[Lonnie]

The dealers are giving discounts on the Prius. There are plenty of them for sale, now.

 

[Brogy]

Im with getting a corolla, get an 8th generation (1998-2002), you'll get 30 mpg city on a car that cost around $5000, best option IMO.

 

[Alan]

Corolla!

 

[ekpolk]

Quote:

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I have an '05 Civic DX/Value Package (base model with 4spd auto transmission). So far I've averaged 42.19MPG over the 30k miles I've put on her...

Not sure where you are in NoVA, but Koons Honda in Manassas regularly advertises (Wash Post) new base model Civic coupes/sedans with auto/air conditioning for ~$13.5k. Might even get a better deal with the Memorial Day sales that are on the horizon.

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Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Civics; I owned one myself for 10 years (an 88 from then 'till 98), but at the speeds you indicate (other threads) that you've been driving that Civic, I'd be hitting well into the mid 50s in a Prius.

Prius supply is now in balance, and the dealers are dealing. A "Package 1" car, basic but including side curtain airbags, has an MSRP around $23k. Sure, you can get a Civic, Corolla, or even smaller for less, but everyone seems to not notice that the Prius is substantially larger than either Civic or Corolla. As I've been posting multiple times in assorted threads recently, the interior volume comparison is like this: Camry, Prius, Corolla, Yaris; 101, 96, 90, 87.

So, the Yaris has almost 10 cubic feet less interior space than the Prius does, and the Prius is only five short of a Camry. And all the hybrid naysayers insist on offering the Yaris as a Prius alternative. Where's the logic in that? Oh yeah, the Prius handily beats the Yaris in mpg too. I'm keeping my Prius thanks.