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I suppose some people would get a hybrid simply because they are better for the envirement (sp), and others because they are cheaper to run. What is your reason for buying a Hybrid? I don't have one but I'm definitely considering one for my next car.

 
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They would be the only 2 reasons.
Other than looks, but i dont think they look that fantastic.

Cost is the #1 factor.

 
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Basically yes, but my question is which one is the reason you got yours, if not both. There are also other advantages, eg. they are a lot quieter to run etc.

 
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I have only seen one person on this forum with a Hybrid so far, and he wasnt really happy with it so I dont think you will get many responses here eShutterBug

 
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If I ever buy a hybrid, it will be because of fuel prices. Gas prices have risen from $2.30 a gallon one month ago to $2.95 a gallon now. I hope that it won't get any worse than this, but I'm sure it will. I would love to have a hybrid car.

 
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How long do you have to drive a hybrid before you realize a cost savings? It's several years from what I understand. I'm not against them. I think it's a good idea that has yet to be fully realized.

Loved the South Park episode about the hybrids.

 
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Several years now...but the cost of gas is rising...sooo that break even point is moving ever closer is it not?

 
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Doubt it. If more people think they're going to save money on gas by buying a hybrid, the price of the hybrids will go up. It's still supply and demand.

 
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BUt do they think they are going to save money on gas?
Do people really think that? I havent paid much attention to the marketing of these cars, is that how honda are marketing it??

 
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If you want to save money, buy an early-mid 90s civic vx hatchback. I hear they get hybrid like mileage and people average around 50 mpg with those.

 
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I have just ordered a Silver w/ Nav Hybrid which is due for delivery within the next two weeks. The reason that I’m getting ride of my RX-8 and going to drive the Civic Hybrid is the cost of gas, period.

A friend has one and he really likes his. He is getting 46 to 50 mpg, combined city and highway driving. It doesn’t have the same acceleration as the standard engine 2006 Civic, but is adequate for the difference in mpg’s he’s getting.

 
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I own a HCH because my wife told me she was getting one!

The economics of owning the Hybrid model don't pan out. The extra $7,000 that the Hybrid costs over the standard Civic (plus the interest to finance that extra 7K) will not be paid back in gas savings for many years, probably not in the time that we own the car. If we do keep it that long, we'll probably need a new battery pack and that's an additional $4K.

Regarding the environmental concerns, in order to purchase the Hybrid you have to earn an extra $7,000+ to pay for it. What's the environmental impact of earning that extra money? Few jobs or professions are impact free. Then you have to buy the battery, if you keep it long enough, and that's another $4K that must be earned along with the environmental impact that that earning causes. The old battery must then be disposed of. If you dump it, the environment really suffers, if you recycle it there is less of a negative impact, but still some degradation of the environment due to the recycling process.

But when my wife drives around in her new HCH, she feels good. And when she feels good, I'm happy too. Is it economically feasible? Probably not. Is it worthwhile to my family? Most assuredly so.

Gary

 
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It's good for the environment, so I don't mind a smaller car than I'm used to. Actually, the price was no more than my 05 Camry SE in the end.

Compared to my Camry / Accord vehicles, it's saving me a lot... and it's still +10mpg higher than conventional Civics. As for the money spent, the $2100 tax credit clinches it.

I care not a whit about the current $3.15 /gal. gas prices which will creep inevitably upwards; and that's a bargain, folks, considering the tipping point of the finite supply of oil and the volatile geo-political situation.

 
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My primary reason for buying a Honda Civic Hybrid II was I wanted to do my part in helping reduce global warming. By driving a hybrid I am burning fewer gallons of gasoline and will produce fewer emissions that contribute to global warming. It's time more Americans started thinking about doing their part to reduce global warming, and less about the short-term economic pros and cons of buying and driving a hybrid.

 
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Good mileage, plain & simple. I jumped into the hybrid world last year when I got sick of pouring $100 tankfuls into my Ford diesel pickup every week. I'm a retired auto industry guy who worked for VW in the 70's & 80's, then for Ford. Back in 2000 I was assigned an early Honda Insight Hybrid MT asc a corporate evaluation vehicle. I fell in love with the little gem after two weeks of tooling around Northern NJ and NYC in it, getting as much as 72 mpg. Yeah, it took a bit of accomodation, but the hybrid technology was really cool and all the engineering & the thought behind the car was intriguing. All this came back to me last year when diesel hit $3.50 a gallon. I found an '04 Insight CVT on EBay and bought it. Drove it 11,000 miles until I found the Civic Hybrid two weeks ago. The HCH II is one of the best thought-out automotive products I've ever seen at any price.

 
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well I bought the car for my mom who is a homebound instructor, she drives all over the place and she drives pretty light. i got it for 22K out the door, its 2 months old with a bit over 2K miles 800 or so from me in about a week and a half when i first got it.Whe has filled the gas tank only five times since we bought it from what she has told me. For her short height 5'1" it accomidates her pretty good, high seating position is a plus, as well as 5 star crash test results and dual front,side and curtain airbags. Acceleration may not be the fastest but it does the job pretty good for cruising speeds and the i-VTEC does a good job at keep it there, the new Hybrids utilize the i-VTEC even more with load sensors located at each strut to compensate engine power with valve timing. right now she averages 43 CITY and 57 HWY this is with four adults and the A/C running constantly. im glad i purchased it for her considering the previous 2000 Honda Accord V6 EX-L was the biggest piece of crap i ever bought.

 
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This is the first time I've ever read where somone didn't love their Accord. What were the issues with it?

FWIW, one thing I've noticed about Honda over the years is that their dealers leave a lot to be desired from both the sales experience and service quality standpoint. Last year when I was shopping for a new Insight it became the most frustrating experience imaginable. I finally just got a used one off EBay. The used car dealer was more profssional than any of the Honda dealers I spoke with. I was cash customer, to boot. The local dealer is the sleepiest place I've ever dealt with, nice folks, but not very professional and slowest moving bunch I've ever met in the retail world.

A former employee of mine at Jaguar/Ford worked for Honda parts & service in the 80's & early '90's and often remarks that it's a a good thing Honda and their dealers sell quality autos that the public wants to buy, because if they had to compete like other brands they'd fall flat on their face. Another former employee says the same about Toyota.

 
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the car went through 5 transmissions in under 100K miles! i bought it with 36K and the first tranny went out two months later, then 7 months later the next one went and so on. remember my mom drove the the car about 80% of the time. it has gone through that and it leaked oil like crazy from the rear main which was damaged when they installed the second transmission. I will never buy a 98-02 generation again. oh yeah the damn thing overheated twice for no apparent reason as said by the dealer as well.

the car was also Honda Certified!