eShutterBUG

In your opinion, are Hybrids worth the money or do you just go with a normal Civic? Post your thoughts and vote in the poll.

imported_Mikey

Good for the environment = good value IMO.

The environment is dying because of cars, we need more cars like this.
Unfortunately not enough people are taking them up yet.

twinkle

All the cost analysis I have seen on hybrid cars are they are at worst more expensive to own and operate than traditional cars, at best break even.

There is definately no financial incentive, yet, to drive a hybrid car.

imported_blueangel

I think there is more to the world than money. Sometimes we should do things because they are the right thing to do and not because they make us some money or save us some money.

Darth

exactly right blueangel!
You have your head screwed on straight obviously.

money is not everything, but 90% of the world thinks it is.

JewelBeetle

I think hybrid cars are well worth the money. They are environmentally friendly and fuel effecient, and I hope that they will become more prevalent in the future. I really wish that I could afford one at the present time.

Rokki

Not it's not. LOL! You've got to be kidding. All the cars, including the beloved SUV, are a blip on the environmental radar. You've been reading into the hype instead of getting a hybrid for your own reasons. Airplanes pollute more than cars. Volcanoes pollute more than all of it.

Rokki

If you have the extra money and that's the car you want, buy it. There's no reason not to. But if you don't have the extra money, buy a regular Civic. You will not realize a savings on gas compared to the cost of the car for several years.

imported_Sam

Theres no reason WHY they arent worth it.
The only downside I'd see was if parts are expensive, but Im unsure on that.

CharlieLink

I will be ready to buy a hybrid when there is one:
1. That looks good - like a normal sporty auto.
2. Has at least 400 hp.
3. Has at least 440 ft-lb torque.
4. Weighs less than 2500 lb curb.
5. Sells for less than $20,000.
6. Gets comparable or better fuel economy than today's models.
7. Has a battery life expectancy of at least 25 years and 200k miles.

Or maybe I would rather have a nuclear reactor in my trunk and a steam turbine in the back seat - electric motor on each wheel.

imported_pete

sorry I hate SUV... they are an environmental bomb.
Volcanoes? LOL thats not pollution - you have no idea buddy.

Rokki

Really? I know global warming is a myth. Humans and what they do is nothing compared to the age of the earth and what it does naturally. You can hate SUVs; that's your choice. But they're not any more harmful to the environment than anything else. And hybrids aren't the second coming their fans think they are.

hotwheels

I think they will be worth the money if they keep people from having to buy more gasoline. It really depends on how much it costs to repair them if they break down.

anteater

I am starting to think they are overpriced. at first I was all excited about the Hybrid but after hearing stories and stuff, Im not so sure.

I agree with Charlie.. they need to improve on a few things.

pico

LOL! One of the best posts Ive read on this forum. Kudos! So let me get this straight, you dont EVER buying one huh? How about if a hybrid meets just one of your requirements?

fivespeed

I will be ready to buy a hybrid when there is one:
1. That looks good - like a normal sporty auto.
Yes I agree they weirdly retro jellybean spage age.
But not desireable yet.

2. Has at least 400 hp.
Hum no kidding that is a lot of money for less than 400 horses.
3. Has at least 440 ft-lb torque.
4. Weighs less than 2500 lb curb.
NO KIdding
5. Sells for less than $20,000.
6. Gets comparable or better fuel economy than today's models.
Unfortunately true.
7. Has a battery life expectancy of at least 25 years and 200k miles.
Yes battery fear is my main troubling concern. I am just to sure I have room for another set of maintenance experiences.

Or maybe I would rather have a nuclear reactor in my trunk and a steam turbine in the back seat - electric motor on each wheel

imported_Mikey

I think we will be seeing better hybrid technology in time to come.
But, I would prefer a completely electric car! I dont want hybrid, I want a full straght non-gas car. That is my ideal

fivespeed

I would also like to know more about people who have owned them for longer periods of time and what the long term ownership drawbacks are. How many hybrid repair shop sare there out there?

CG99

Not many people have owned them for long periods of time yet.. ask them in another 5 years
Its only then will we find out about the longetivity of them.

XerEagle

Read the following article about pollution from a volcano.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...olcano01m.html

Shishpanik

Most people don't realize that the biggest polluter of the U.S. is our government. Believe it or not folks, look it up. And automobiles are such a small part of oil consumption anyways. More oil is used up for energy then for transportation, so I think it'd be a much better idea to switch back to nuclear power. I know i'm getting into a controversial post here, but nuclear power is so clean and refined now that they can make plants that are so efficient that they can generate less than 1 pound of nuclear waste a year. I think if you want to buy something to save you money, buy a civic vx. It's an attractive car that gets about 50 mpg and has about the same emissions as a hybrid car.

tigerhonaker

Yes,

They are great transportation and Yes they are Great for the Environment as well. So everyone comes out smelling like a Rose on this one.

You can't go wrong.

Terry (tigerhonaker)

XerEagle

After my first 2400 miles at 47.5mpg (still learning to drive for better FE) I’ve saved, not spent $225 on gas since trading in my RX-8.

After one year the savings in fuel cost should be around: $1409 if gas prices don’t go up.

I usually drive my car an average of 10 years before getting a new one (remove the RX-8 from the equation) so, that should be about $14,090 in gas saving at today’s fuel prices. Even if I have to purchase a new hybrid battery the savings is quite a bit.

If I didn’t purchase the Civic Hybrid w/ Navigation, I would have purchased the EX model w/ Navigation. After the tax credit the Hybrid cost me $900 more and based on actual FE numbers on multiple web sites the gas savings is still around $400 a year at today’s fuel prices.

jjtricket

What happens to the batteries after their useful life?

Will the batteries end up in landfills?

What will the value of my Hybrid be when the warranty of 80000 miles is about to expire?

How much will the batteries be to replace?

Hybrids simply make everyone feel good today but what about tommorow?