I ran some numbers through a spreadsheet I made while taking an engineering economics course (used to determine whether it was economically feasible to spend extra money on a diesel pickup truck). I set it up based on the following parameters:
MSRP of 2005 Civic Hybrid: cdn$28,500
MSRP of 2005 Civic LX-G: cdn$19,990
Km (miles) per year: 30,000 (20,000)
MARR (minimum acceptable rate of return): 5%
Annual depreciation: 13%
Tax rate on new vehicle: 13%
Years of use before selling vehicle: 7
For 50/50 city/highway driving, fuel prices would have to average $2.15 per litre (plus inflation adjustments) over the next 7 years to break even on the extra. Right now, at about $1 per litre, so I don't think it makes economic sense to buy a hybrid yet. Who knows in the future?
By the end of the 7 years of this study period (210,000km) the battery warranty is long gone, so there could be additional expenses related to that.
Your personal MARR would likely be one of the following: Highest annual interest rate on your loans or mortgages, or your annual average return on investments, whichever is higher.
The Civic LX-G appears to have everything that the hybrid does (A/C, cruise), plus a sunroof.
If you want me to run different numbers, let me know!