Honda Accord Hybrid - worth the extra $$$? - READ ONLY

223 messages, Last post on Feb 07, 2006 at 6:12 PM

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#142 of 223 YRS OF HONDAS (BOTH BIKES & CARS) by railroadjames Mar 09, 2005 (9:44 am)
Replying to: midnightcowboy (Mar 09, 2005 6:46 am) Honda is one of my all time favorite companies and I've enjoyed several(10) bikes and many cars(5). I even owned the very 1st Honda Coupe 600 back in 70. It was an aircooled 2 cylinder marvel. Capable of 50+ mpg's and surprisingly roomier than a VW Bug. Honda has since become much more expensive on the high end cars(Accords & Preludes). My 04 Prius, out the door, was $20, 885.00 w/ side airbags, Rr wiper and also mats. Prices for hybrids are higher now and I see their on the rise. As to the Accord Hybrid, I'm not crazy about the stying nor the harder seats I've found inherent in many Hondas. I too would be more inclined to enjoy the stick over the auto except in Chicago traffic snarls. When it comes down to dealerships and their service in our area then Toyota simply outshines Honda. There's something to be said for that. Would I buy an H.A.H.? Perhaps. As to the Prius board ...I needed a break from "gagrice". He's so persistant. Maybe he'll sell me his Suburban that gets 30mpg's some day. Be still my beat'g heart! Culliganman (my Prius suits me fine) Replies to this message: explorerx4 (Mar 09, 2005 5:31 pm) railroadjames (Mar 09, 2005 8:32 pm) stevedebi (Mar 10, 2005 12:40 pm)
#143 of 223 Re: It is a quandry [xcel] by backy Mar 09, 2005 (12:33 pm)
Replying to: xcel (Mar 09, 2005 6:34 am) Is there a reason to bring up the stick given the AH is not available with one? Yes, and I already stated one reason above. If you can compare a 4-cylinder car to a 6-cylinder car, I think a comparison of an automatic to a stick shift is fair game.
#144 of 223 premium for a hybrid by kurtamaxxguy Mar 09, 2005 (1:37 pm)
The HAH skews things a little because it provides both more power _and_ better fuel economy over a conventional HA 6 cyl. As for what I would be willing to pay premium wise; given I would be owning the car for 6 - 9 years, I would have to be convinced the savings in fuel will be greater than costs for the conventional model. This also has to include the cost of any additional maintanance due to the complexity of the hybrid. Keep in mind current hybrid battery packs have hundreds of small batteries in _series_ connection mode. So, if just one battery cel dies, the whole battery pack is compromised or useless. That's a $3-4000 expense somewhere down the road. Replies to this message: backy (Mar 09, 2005 3:46 pm) kurtamaxxguy (Mar 09, 2005 9:39 pm)
#145 of 223 Re: premium for a hybrid [kurtamaxxguy] by backy Mar 09, 2005 (3:46 pm)
Replying to: kurtamaxxguy (Mar 09, 2005 1:37 pm) In other words, you wish to get something--more power--for nothing. I agree that would be a great thing. I wish life would work that way more often. BTW, your statement about hybrid battery packs is not true in general. It MAY be true for the HAH, I don't know, but it is not true for the Prius. Its individual battery cells can be replaced. Replies to this message: kurtamaxxguy (Mar 09, 2005 9:39 pm)
#146 of 223 Re: YRS OF HONDAS (BOTH BIKES & CARS) [railroadjames] by explorerx4 Mar 09, 2005 (5:31 pm)
Replying to: railroadjames (Mar 09, 2005 9:44 am) loved those 12 inch rims on the 600, made me feel like i was pimpin' with the 26 inchers on my schwinn. one of the factors that makes a difference when deciding to buy a hah, prius, other, or non hybrid, is the number of miles you drive. if you don't drive much, it becomes more difficult to justify the cost of hybrids, if you think in terms of saving money. Replies to this message: railroadjames (Mar 09, 2005 8:32 pm) stevedebi (Mar 10, 2005 12:40 pm)
#147 of 223 ) [explorerx4]MILAGE IS A DECIDING FACTOR by railroadjames Mar 09, 2005 (8:32 pm)
Replying to: explorerx4 (Mar 09, 2005 5:31 pm) I agree that higher milage (say 14 & up) is a factor when considering a hybrid. I was surprised to find myself wanting to drive everywhere ('cause it's fun). I put more miles than expected (16K) this year. The Accord Hybrid is still on my list of a 2nd test drive if the local dealer will agree to it. I WILL feel funny pulling into their lot with my Prius though. Don't ya think? Culliganman(Ya think a Hummer could ever be a hybrid?) Replies to this message: stevedebi (Mar 10, 2005 12:40 pm)
#148 of 223 Re: premium for a hybrid [backy] by kurtamaxxguy Mar 09, 2005 (9:39 pm)
Replying to: backy (Mar 09, 2005 3:46 pm) Glad to hear at least Toyota has designed the battery pack for individual cel replacement! That makes a series hookup much more bearable. And yes, you have a point about the extra power. How much that is worth is something I would have to think on.
#149 of 223 premium for a hybrid by russ5 Mar 10, 2005 (9:25 am)
Why worry about the battery. It has an 8 year 80,000 mile warranty. If you can afford an HAH you probably would trade before the warranty expired!! Replies to this message: midnightcowboy (Mar 10, 2005 1:00 pm)
#150 of 223 Re: ) [explorerx4]MILAGE IS A DECIDING FACTOR [railroadjames] by stevedebi Mar 10, 2005 (12:40 pm)
Replying to: railroadjames (Mar 09, 2005 8:32 pm) "Culliganman(Ya think a Hummer could ever be a hybrid?)" Funny you should mention this; the military is developing a tactical vehicle of H1 size that is a parallel hybrid - useful in recon roles where the engine can be turned off for a while.
#151 of 223 Re: premium for a hybrid [russ5] by midnightcowboy Mar 10, 2005 (1:00 pm)
Replying to: russ5 (Mar 10, 2005 9:25 am) There has already been a lot of discussion on battery life so I won't try to belabor it too much. Yes, the Prius battery is modular and so only certain modules may have to be replaced. The HAH has individual cells,will also probably not have to have the whole battery (all 144 cells replaced during a failure. The high numbers $3,000-$5,000 appear to be just speculation of worst case at this point in time. There just ins't enough historical data on battery life. These high figures appear to be only FUD(Fear Uncertainty Doubt) and assume that not only will the batteries completely fail but all the associated electronics also; very unlikely! The other thing selling before the 8 year 80,000 mile warranty is up, will just pass potential problems on to the next car owner. H'mm you think that might affect resale value ??? BTW I just bought a 7th generation Accord 6-speed, not the HAH and Honda quality and engineering is really impressive. I also have two Honda mowers: one riding and one propelled and just bought a power washer with a Honda motor. I won't buy another yard power tool ever that isn't either Honda or Husqvarna. There is a difference in quality! Alos I will probably always puchase Acura/Honda or Toyota/Lexus cars. However, after the way the Toyota car dealers treated me on the Prius it will probably only be Acura/Honda. Anyway, the next car purchase is now a long long ways off. Cheers, MidCow the Manual Shift Man