Looking At New Hybrids...

jmsc · 09-01-05, 07:15

due to the skyrocketing price of gas. I have a pre-order on a 2006 Civic but I can change my order. Has anyone looked at or driven or purchased a new Toyota Prius or a new Honda Civic Hybrid recently?

Curious as to their prices, IRS deductions, driveability, pep/quickness, handling, problems.

drewski59 · 09-01-05, 07:48

If you like the Civic, then you'll like the Civic Hybrid. They drive almost exactly the same. The only difference you'll notice is the upfront cost and the increased gas mileage.

The Prius has been having reliability issues lately. IMO, I'd get the Civic Hybrid if you wanted a hybrid.

StoicDude · 09-01-05, 08:46

The IRS deduction is not much. You can read about it online and I think its a 3000 deduction only for one time.

If i remember right.

SpoiledMan · 09-01-05, 08:53

It's a $2000 tax CREDIT. That means you will get that much cold hard CASH!

04MysticCobra · 09-01-05, 09:39

I drove the Honda Civic Hybrid recently and this is what I thought about this hybrid. the ride and
handling were very good on the Civic. the acceleration curve will take a little getting used to. you really have to get the rpm's up to get this car going. not a big deal though. I think the big problem right now with the Hybrids and this Civic is the unknown. they give you a 8 year 80000
mile warranty on the battery pack but I would do 80000 in a few years. Honda would not tell me what the cost of the batteries would be to replace. I have read online that they would be upwards of 5-6000 thousand or more. I would think in the next few years they will get cheaper with more production. also no idea what the resale would be on the Hybrid although its a Honda so it should be good. In the end I decided not to get one and I am currently looking for a high mileage gas car like the Corolla or TDI Jetta.

Later,04MysticCobra.

1SLOW50 · 09-01-05, 10:19

Get the Accord hybrid. It is NICE!

SSQ · 09-01-05, 10:20

Both the Prius and Civic are very nice cars, just that Prius seem to have more to offer with the regenerative braking system, optional HIDs, and the geeky look.

I tend to agree with MsticCobra, get a VW with their TDI engine or a corolla.

StoicDude · 09-01-05, 10:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpoiledMan

It's a $2000 tax CREDIT. That means you will get that much cold hard CASH!

Either I or you has this wrong. It says that the deductions are "deductions", so no hard cash.
You will probably end up saving about 500 bucks with that kind of a deduction.
here is a link
http://biz.yahoo.com/brn/050817/15813.html?.v=1

splattj · 09-01-05, 10:32

My dealer said there's a 1 year waiting list for the Prius right now.....
I've been eyeing a nice TDI for a couple years now.

SpoiledMan · 09-01-05, 11:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by StoicDude

Either I or you has this wrong. It says that the deductions are "deductions", so no hard cash.
You will probably end up saving about 500 bucks with that kind of a deduction.
here is a link
http://biz.yahoo.com/brn/050817/15813.html?.v=1

Under the "old" law it's a deduction. The new law....."Starting in 2006, hybrid-car buyers and advanced lean-burn technology vehicles will be eligible for tax credits ranging from $1,700-$3,000;..." That's taken from the yahoo article.

Tax credit = cash

ddolat · 09-01-05, 11:13

My understanding is that both the Civic and Prius use their electric motors to generate electricity and that this process is called regenerative braking. Therefore I don't believe the Prius is anymore technologically advanced than the Civic. As for the hybrid Accord, it only gets 29/73 mpg, which is not a very significant gain compared to other hybrids on the market and is only 8 mpg better than a regular V6 Accord.

SpoiledMan · 09-01-05, 11:17

Yeah but the Accord hybrid is faaasst.