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

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

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#33 of 223 by kirstie_h HOST Jan 20, 2005 (9:23 am)
Off-topic posts removed. Focus on the HAH only. kirstie_h Roving Host Host, Future Vehicles & Smart Shopper discussions Replies to this message: explorerx4 (Jan 20, 2005 4:43 pm) kirstie_h (Jan 21, 2005 6:27 am)
#34 of 223 Re: [electrictroy] by robertsmx Jan 20, 2005 (2:12 pm)
Replying to: electrictroy (Jan 20, 2005 9:06 am) Can't have it both ways. You're getting what you pay for after all! If 3-hour commute is too much, you're asking for luxury by compromising on financial situation. Get a 10K car and be done with it, if you still need some luxury. Accord Hybrid is far more car than a $10K car offers. People who can take it, will.
#35 of 223 Re: [kirstie_h] by explorerx4 Jan 20, 2005 (4:43 pm)
Replying to: kirstie_h (Jan 20, 2005 9:23 am) since i don't know what p[osts have been removed, can i have a hint as to what is off topic? Replies to this message: kirstie_h (Jan 21, 2005 6:27 am)
#36 of 223 Re: [electrictroy] by adp3 Jan 20, 2005 (6:12 pm)
Replying to: electrictroy (Jan 20, 2005 9:06 am) "liberals" - that's funny - it used to be a sign of a good conervative that you'd save you rmoney and ride the bus but times do change - now only liberals recommend riding the bus? troy: I don't doubt the mass transit thing doesn't work for you. It doesn't work for a lot of folks. I think it's also funny that some have talked about the Accord in the same breath as a Focus or as certain Hyundais. The Accord is NOT an entry level car. It hasn't been for a long long time. We can all argue about the merits of spending 30k verus 15k on a car, and the resale values, etc., but if you are making 40 grand/year, you probably shouldn't spend 30 grand on a car, even if it DOES retain alot of its value. People who are spending 30k onn a car whould not ever pretend they are making a good financial decision. If it was a financial decision, they'd buy a used car for 15k (or less). Buying any NEW car is a stupid decision from a financial decision, and certainly adding leather and the like is not a good "financial" decision. On a related note, how is the HAH from an emissions standpoint? Replies to this message: kernick (Jan 20, 2005 6:41 pm) robertsmx (Jan 21, 2005 8:08 am) kernick (Jan 21, 2005 6:15 pm) and 13 more...
#37 of 223 Re: [adp3] by kernick Jan 20, 2005 (6:41 pm)
Replying to: adp3 (Jan 20, 2005 6:12 pm) I agree that a new car is not a good financial decision in general. And when you start talking $30K+, you are talking serious money for most people. And here's where I see a disconnect in people buying an HAH. I hear that people appreciate the above-average performance they get. But I don't get that saving fuel is one of their top priorities. Higher performance, larger engines compromise mpg. As many stated here if the HAH were a 4-cyl, it would get much better mpg than as a 6-cyl. So people choosing the HAH 6-cyl. have already decided that they accept reduced mpg to get higher hp/torque. But let's get back to paying $30K+, paying thousands extra over a regular Accord V-6, in order to save what - $40 or $50 / month in gas? It would take 5-6 years at this rate to break even. And the HAH is going to be less reliable and cost more to maintain than a regular V-6. How do I know that? Because the Accord V-6 parts are a subset of the HAH parts; put simply, by having more parts - the hybrid systems, it has more to go wrong. All parts and machines eventually need repair/maintenance, and wear. So you have those potential extra costs of ownership, and I'm sure that is going to hurt resale some. People don't like uncertainty, compared to the known. Replies to this message: robertsmx (Jan 21, 2005 8:08 am) kernick (Jan 21, 2005 6:15 pm) gagrice (Jan 21, 2005 10:50 pm) and 3 more... robertsmx (Jan 24, 2005 7:04 am) and 8 more...
#38 of 223 Re: [explorerx4] by kirstie_h HOST Jan 21, 2005 (6:27 am)
Replying to: explorerx4 (Jan 20, 2005 4:43 pm) The clue is in the title - if it's about anything but whether the HAH (not other hybrids) is worth the extra $$, it goes. kirstie_h Roving Host Host, Future Vehicles & Smart Shopper discussions
#39 of 223 Re: [kernick] by robertsmx Jan 21, 2005 (8:08 am)
Replying to: kernick (Jan 20, 2005 6:41 pm) May or may not be true. Using V6 allows Honda to use something in addition to hybrid technology and that is VCM. As of now, Honda has not implemented VCM in any four cylinder engine. Civic Hybrid has a toned down version but it works to improve regenerative braking efficiency rather than fuel economy during moderate acceleration and cruising on highway. In effect, a four cylinder Accord could have possibly had an mpg or two better than V6 and that may not be enough! Perhaps with “i-VTEC I” version of the 2.4/I-4 used in Accord, this will change. But that engine hasn’t been produced yet (only in 2.0/I-4 form as of now and offered in only one trim in the Japanese market Honda Stream). However, use of I-4 as opposed to V6 could have allowed Honda to trim the price tag by $2K. And using LX trim could have saved another $2-3K. Now, we will be talking about a $25K Accord Hybrid/I-4 that is equipped like a $21K Accord LX and performs slightly better and gets you 31 mpg in city. There is nothing wrong with offering more performance while improving fuel economy and emissions. It happened when Honda redesigned the Accord V6. Power and fuel economy improved at the same time. I don’t know about you, but I consider it a good thing. With hybrid power, the changes are substantial in terms of fuel economy and emissions. As for maintenance costs, I would bet on electric motor reliability before I do on mechanical parts. Replies to this message: kernick (Jan 21, 2005 6:15 pm) gagrice (Jan 21, 2005 10:50 pm) kernick (Jan 22, 2005 6:19 am) and 2 more... robertsmx (Jan 24, 2005 7:04 am) gagrice (Jan 24, 2005 8:04 am) and 6 more...
#40 of 223 by adp3 Jan 21, 2005 (9:46 am)
I just think it is weak to compare the HAH to other Accords. Yeah, so what that I can get better MPG in an Accord. I dont' really care about better MPG. What I care about is the HAH is cool and I am cross-shopping it to a 3-series BMW, etc., not some weak 4-banger Honda. We all buy cars for different reasons. Anyone who is spending 30k on a car and then making economic arguments is a fool. If you want to be careful with yor money, then you shouldn't be spending so much on something like a car. Spend 15K and invest the other 15K, right? Compare the HAH to other vehicles aroud nthe same price point, not to cars that YOU think are "similar." Of course, if you are buying an HAH to save gas, then it is fair to compare it the Accord 4-cylinder, or a Focus, etc. etc. just my 2 cents (don't you hate it when people say that - of course what you just posted is your two cents)