In the market for a car...should I Hybrid? Ebay?

No replies?

Well, I was able to put my spreadsheet on Google for everyone to use.

Check it out:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pwlBwPW3xdnCggioklAH9Bw

Try this for download and functional

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pwlBwPW3xdnCggioklAH9Bw&output=xls

Note, this is my version and the way I think. It could be wrong, but please let me know where you think is wrong rather than flaming.

Thank you

Wow, that is a tall order and a tough one to answer. Let's see what we can do here (I'll try to offer some honest & blunt answers):

First of all, you have to ask yourself why would you want a hybrid (less pollution, improved fuel economy, better reliability?)
Then, what kind of a hybrid do you want (Fuel economy or performance hybrid)?

If you will continue to speed at an average of 80 MPH then choosing a hybrid is not going to be your best choice. You can still try to convince yourself that it is but that won't change the underlying empirical reality.

Speeds above 55-60 MPH will decimate the fuel economy of ANY car in addition to increasing pollution. It is a matter of simple physics. Along the way, it will also reduce the "hybrid reliability expectation" since the vehicle will be operated at its least efficient mode (higher speeds and higher stress). All this helps erode the hybrid advantage.

Second, "good hybrids" come with instrumentation that not only assists the drivers in becoming better drivers, but also the mission for which the car was built (drive efficiently and more environmentally). Since you are committed to performance driving then implicitly, you will disregard the information the car is providing therefore denying yourself of the hybrid advantage.

Third, for most folks a 2005 Accord hybrid is not a compelling choice for a hybrid platform. Many will say: That is why it was discontinued. Yes, you can find good deals on these cars in various places... including eBay, but as the previous poster indicated you are better off hitting the dealerships. Unless of course, gambling and money wasting is tolerable for you. :)

Forth, good hybrids make up for their higher oil change costs in longer service periods. Any way you look at it, you end up saving a fair bit... unless you insist on driving aggressively.

Fifth, quite often folks driving HCH and Prius cars will get Insurance breaks. Folks driving accord hybrids will likely get hit since they HAH is perceived as a performance hybrid and hardly in the category of the Civic and Prius.

Now for the last point: Yes, a hybrid will always give you better fuel economy than a comparable gas only vehicle... but depending on your choice of a hybrid and driving attitude, the difference may shrink to such a point that a calculated advantage of the hybrid may no longer be significant enough to justify its purchase.

At the moment, there are only 2 choices for "good hybrids": The Civic Hybrid and the Toyota Prius (perhaps 4 if you include the nice Camry Hybrid and the Altima Hybrid).

Cheers;

MSantos

If you inflate your tires to 40-44 psi and you keep as much of of steady state cruise then you may achieve 42+ at 70-75 MPH. It would be a little more challenging for a regular gas only Civic to get 32mpg at those speeds since it lacks the aerodynamic improvements and the "CVT high gearing" of the Civic hybrid.
Between the two, the Civic Hybrid is the best highway/freeway cruiser: better range, more efficient, cleaner, more quiet, more refined.

As time goes by you'll find that the HCH mileage improves even more not only because of the break-in but also because as you learn to read the instrumentation you give the car the inputs it needs to make it even better. On a regular Civic you can't easily do this and it becomes more of a guessing game.

Cheers;

MSantos

My advice... do your homework before you go Hybrid.

First, it costs more to buy, although in Canada, the Government gives you a $2000 rebate.

Second, there are still many flaws with the Honda Civic Hybrid. I speak from personal experience.

Third, the regular service/oil change costs $65 to $75+.

Fourth, it costs almost 30% more to insure.

Fifth... it is still not living up to its expectation of good mpg's. I got much more from my Accord EX, than I ever hope to get from this '06 HCH.

Sixth, some Honda service departments are not educated in servicing the Hybrids. It's really an embarassment and a scandal.

SEventh, to get good mpg's... you have to drive alone, wear white color clothing only; no glasses, contact lenses recommended, turn everything off in the car even the radio, breathe through your nose, don't turn your head, if you drink coffee while driving, this will be the cause of your biggest gas guzzling, heaven forbid if you put an overnight bag in the trunk, you'll burn more gas than an 8 cyl. SUV!

Buy the Civic Hybrid. I am a 1st time hybrid owner and the Civic Hybrid is the best car I have ever owned. I bought it 7 months ago and will never go back to non-hybrid cars. In fact, my wife thought it was a bad idea and since I bought by car, I keep getting stucking driving her Xterra because she steals my car in the morning. The Civic Hybrid is a very relaxing car, it makes virtually no noise, runs very smooth. Since I bought mine, my uncle and best friend rode in it and bought one within a month.

Those are good points oklasooners.

But the "$65 to $75" maybe in Canadian currency which almost makes sense. As a comparative baseline, the oil change for a regular non-hybrid Civic almost reaches $50 in Canada... when you factor in the taxes and levies.

The other good point is cost of insurance: For me (still in Canada) the HCH costs MUCH less than a regular Civic to insure. Gman1964 also lives in Canada but in a different province which depending on the insurer may be subject to abnormal premiums - it does happen.
It is a well known fact that hybrids are typically awarded lower premiums and that is especially true for myself as well as it is true for many folks (not all) in the US.

Cheers;

MSantos