Ask the Car People.SM


Honda Civic Hybrid

1804 messages,  Last post on Jan 17, 2013 at 4:12 PM

You are in the Honda Civic Hybrid Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Civic, Hybrid Cars

Messages Page 176 of 181

#1744 of 1804 Re: johnparker in texas [johnparker] by jim314

Jun 16, 2008 (2:51 pm)

Replying to: johnparker (Jun 16, 2008 1:56 pm)
The fuel economy of a Civic Hybrid could be a slow as the high 20s mpg in midwestern winter city traffic, but averaged over the year and over all driving environments it will be higher significantly than an Accord 4-cyl.
 
But you would never recover the cost of trading. The depreciation cost of trading at 30kmi is high. Why would you do that? An Accord with 30kmi on the odo will last a long time before it starts costing money in repairs.
 
An Accord 4-cyl is a pretty effcient car. If you trade it in on a Civic Hybrid, you will be competing with all the overwrought buyers who must have one of the highest mpg cars available, even if it doesn't make economic sense for them.

#1745 of 1804 Re: johnparker in texas [johnparker] by whgaunt

Jun 16, 2008 (4:16 pm)

Replying to: johnparker (Jun 16, 2008 1:56 pm)
We have a 2004 Civic Hybrid and we are getting around 38 mpg city. We can get up to 50 mpg on the highway. If your only going to keep the car for 30,000 miles I would not buy a Hybrid. Your going to pay a lot more for the Hybrid over a standard car and you will not get that back in 30,000. We have 56,000 on our 2004 and I'm thinking another three years before it gets replaced. Just my thoughts.
 
whgaunt

#1746 of 1804 Re: johnparker in texas [johnparker] by gsspike

Jun 17, 2008 (5:23 am)

Replying to: johnparker (Jun 16, 2008 1:56 pm)
We have been driving smart. Our lowest was 46 actual computer said 42, our highest was 52.52 actual and the computer said 46. We have had the car 2 months.

#1747 of 1804 Re: johnparker in texas [gsspike] by mickeyrom

Jun 17, 2008 (5:29 am)

Replying to: gsspike (Jun 17, 2008 5:23 am)
sounds to me like your computer is almost useless.Heck,you can guess and come that close.

#1748 of 1804 Re: johnparker in texas [gsspike] by johnparker

Jun 17, 2008 (7:20 am)

Replying to: gsspike (Jun 17, 2008 5:23 am)
Thanks for response to my question on Honda Hybrid. I haven't made my decision as yet. I did put a refundable deposit down to get on waiting list for one car in transit. Have you checked the prices on used ones? High plus hard to find. Re-sale value is surely going to remain high. I'm selling my Accord outright for $17,250. New Hybrid is $23,700 in San Antonio. I normally get rid of them when warranty expires. I know it sounds stupid, but cars are my passion. I also get bored with them after about 3 yrs. I would also like to know how people are satisfied with a regular Civic. Heck I'm 76 yrs old and every car I buy I figure it might be my last one.

#1749 of 1804 Press Request by KarenS HOST

Jun 17, 2008 (1:50 pm)

A reporter would like to talk to consumers who are in the market for a compact, subcompact or hybrid vehicle but have had trouble finding one. Please respond to jwahledmunds.com with your daytime contact information along with the vehicle you are shopping for no later than Thursday, June 19th.

#1750 of 1804 Re: johnparker in texas [johnparker] by 1stpik

Jun 18, 2008 (6:02 am)

Replying to: johnparker (Jun 17, 2008 7:20 am)
I live in Dallas. After one year and 24,000 miles, my Civic hybrid has averaged 48 mpg. That's city, highway, summer, winter, short trips to the store, long trips across the country, etc. And that 48 mpg isn't just some exaggerated claim. I left one trip meter untouched since I bought the thing, and it records the cumulative mpg.
 
Now, to get that kind of efficiency, I do have to drive differently than I used to. My maximum highway cruise is 65 mph. Around town, I take it easy on the acceleration, and I use the cruise control, because it delivers fuel more efficiently than my foot can.
 
I work with a guy who bought a Prius last year. He drives it like the average American -- 75 mph cruise, jackrabbit starts -- and he gets 40 mpg in it. So, any way you operate a hybrid, you'll still be better off than in a regular car.
 
As for the cost vs. keeping your Accord, that's simply a personal choice. When you bought your Accord new, nobody told you that it would never "pay back" its purchase price. That wasn't a factor, because you were simply choosing to buy a particular car. And that's just what you're doing now -- choosing to buy another kind of car.
 
Also, consider the resale value of hybrids today. It's extremely high. I paid $22,000 for mine a year ago, and according to KBB.com, I could get $18,000 for it right now. And that $4,000 depreciation is almost cancelled out by the $2,100 tax refund I received from the IRS for buying a hybrid, plus the $600 in gas savings vs. the regular Civic.
 
Anyone who tells you not to buy a hybrid because it costs too much, or that your old car is just fine, needs to prove a couple of things to maintain credibility:
 
First, he has to be driving the same car that he bought 10 years (or more) ago. Second, he has to clip coupons and buy generic foods when he goes grocery shopping, and buy his clothes at Wal Mart, and use bargain dial-up internet service, because saving money and buying the least expensive item is what life is all about.
 
Buy whatever car you want. If you buy a gas guzzler, you'll get a great deal on it because nobody wants one right now. If you buy a Civic hybrid, you'll get at least 40 mpg, and you'll be able to sell it any time for a decent price.
 
Your choice.
.

#1751 of 1804 Fuel Efficiency vs Cost by 74apollo

Jun 18, 2008 (8:24 am)

We bought our Civic Hybrid in January '08 and have 5,604 miles on it. We left one trip meter untouched since we purchased it and are averaging 40.2 mpg for combined city & hwy miles. I just ret'd from a 365 mile highway trip and averaged 48.9. I have found the optimum speed for best mpg is 67 or 68 on the highway.
 
The big question I'm hearing right now is whether the "payback" is worth the purchase price. That is the same mentality as the US auto manufacturers have had over the past 20 years and is why they haven't had an incentive to build more fuel efficient cars. Ask yourself this, where do you want to spend your money? On gas or on a car that uses less gas? Consumers need to force US auto manufacturers to build more fuel efficient cars so we can get off our addiction to gasoline/oil. The only way to do that is to buy hybrids (made by foreigners) until someone can come up with a better way to fuel a car. Gasoline is NOT the answer.

#1752 of 1804 Re: johnparker in texas [1stpik] by johnparker

Jun 18, 2008 (8:37 am)

Replying to: 1stpik (Jun 18, 2008 6:02 am)
1stpik, you hit the nail on the head and yours is the most intelligent response thus far to my question on a Honda Hybrid. Thank you for being so understanding and the least narrow minded. You seemed to fully understand about the future value of the Hybrid in terms of re-sale value. I usually get rid of my card when they approach the point of the warranty expiring. I know I will pay more for the Hybrid now but should recoup 3 years down the line when I get rid of it. Thank you again for your response.

#1753 of 1804 Re: Fuel Efficiency vs Cost [74apollo] by johnparker

Jun 18, 2008 (8:43 am)

Replying to: 74apollo (Jun 18, 2008 8:24 am)
Thank you 74apollo for your response on my question concerning a Honda Hybrid. I fully agree with you on your point about domestic auto manufacturers. If they had their way EVERYONE would be driving a pickup or an SUV. Their focus has always been on the Macho side of things. Thanks again for your response.

Messages Page 176 of 181

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement