imported_94EG6HB

I have been seriously considering purchasing a Hybrid vehicle for work in the next while..

I drive over 1500 KM's a week

Becuase of the mileage I will be purchasing it outright.

I have narrowed it down to 2 cars..

Honda Civic Hybrid..

Toyota Prius..

Regardless,

Does anyone have any personal experience with any of these vehicles.

Good or bad lets hear it...

Thanks

imported_cet_civic

here is a thread that my become "insight" ful...pardon the pun!

Prius vs Civic Hybrid

Prius vs. Hybrid

Hybrid Civic

90EFHB

Get a diesel powered car......

imported_kane2k

I've read ( on MSN ) that gas mileage isn't as good as advertised because of the way that the EPA does their ratings. The EPA numbers, which are the only ones that manufacturers are allowed to advertise in the US, measure economy based on emissions and not by actually driving the car. The emissions of the hybrids are different than a regular car but are measured on the same scale. This makes the advertised mileage quite a bit higher than what you would actually find. I'd do some research on this aspect if you are considering buying one to save money. The time it might take to pay itself off might be a lot longer than you'd think.

NoSpleeny

Go with the new Lexus RX400h.

It gets fuel economy better than that of most compact cars these days (according to Lexus) and has acceleration equal to that of most of their V8 vehicles.

imported_94EG6HB

I've seen that..

Available next year from what I heard..



THE NEW LEXUS RX400h

The RX400h will be the world's first hybrid petrol-electric powered 4x4 premium SUV, offering 4.0-litre engine performance but family car levels of fuel economy and the lowest carbon dioxide emissions of any production vehicle in its class.

The RX400h - the 400 refers not to engine capacity but the power output comparative to conventional 4.0-litre engines - is set to go on sale in Europe at the end of this year, following on from the all-new RX300's debut in 2003.

In both the UK and Europe as a whole, the new RX300 has proved an outstanding success. Since launch in May 2003, European sales have risen by 86 per cent year on year to more than 7,300 units. Up to the end of December, new registrations in the UK totalled 2908, up by 72 per cent on 2002.

Lexus engineers have developed a completely new Hybrid Synergy Drive system for the RX400h, redesigning and refining the electrics, mechanical driving components and control elements to achieve the power and performance appropriate for a luxury four-wheel drive SUV.

The Hybrid Synergy Drive is a series/parallel system which uses two powerful electric motors and a highly efficient petrol engine in tandem. This significantly improves low to mid-speed acceleration, braking performance and fuel efficiency and minimises carbon dioxide emissions. Using an electric motor at the rear provides the car with four-wheel drive capability.

In addition to the dual power sources, the system also features a generator and a high-performance nickel-metal hydride battery. A power split device combines and re-allocates power from the engine, motors and generator, according to where it is needed in the drivetrain, and a power control unit governs the high-speed interaction of the system's components.

For the driver, a single gearshift on the dashboard engages the drive system, which operates as a seamless, continuously variable transmission.

In the course of any journey, the Hybrid Synergy Drive system will operate in several different modes to maximise the all-round efficiency of the vehicle. The motor driving the rear wheels introduces four-wheel drive performance at appropriate times, such as when starting up, accelerating, turning and driving on slippery surfaces.

Improvements to the efficiency of the V6 petrol engine and a transmission system with a torque-increasing deceleration gear, allied to a more efficient regenerative braking system, all serve to optimise the Hybrid Synergy Drive system's energy management qualities.

The combination of the 3.3-litre V6 engine, the powerful front-mounted electric motor and further rear electric motor produces a maximum power of about 270bhp (200kW). This gives the RX400h a top speed comparable to that of the US specification RX300, but stronger performance with nought to 62mph acceleration in less than eight seconds.

Furthermore, the RX400h has the world's lowest CO2 emissions figures for an SUV, complying with Euro IV standards, and fuel consumption figures which compare to typical family car performance. In the US-specification model it will be possible to cover 625 miles on a single tank of fuel.

imported_94EG6HB

Looks like there is more accessories availabe from the Japanese Market..

Fog lights aren't an option here but are there..

Suprise, suprise..

Hmmmmm,

NoSpleeny

Oh.. not to mention.. the older hybrid motors by Toyota were capible of only 6000 rpm.. the new hybrid motor used in the RX400h are capible of 12000 rpm

90EFHB

Give me a break let's be realistic....RX400h....any idea how much these cost? try $70,000 out the door.... that's how much an RX330 is and they will add a little because its a hybrid

Tell me where the dotted line is between a civic & primus to a lexus?

imported_94EG6HB

Sorry I forgot you don't associate with DINK's anymore..

Guess that makes you a DIK now..


I never said I was buying a lexus just that I heard about it..


Haha..

I made a funny..

NoSpleeny

Actually.. the RX330 is less than $60000 out the door.. unless you take all the luxary extras.

But think about it... you'd be driving in more comfort and it'd be a car you'd (maybe and hopefully) keep longer than your Civic Hybrid or Prius. (maybe?)

imported_94EG6HB

90EFHB's dad just picked one up..

I'm sure his price estimate would be correct.

One of those wait and see things..

Its always about the luxury extra's though...


Another option is to convert the existing hatch..

kwikb16a2

get the mercedes smart

imported_gatherer

the Insight owns!!

bdotdan

too bad its not allowed on the highway.

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

Aaron, do NOT buy a diesel right now. Only ones are VWs and you know my experience with those. any fuel savings get drained outta your account and into that of the local dealer.

For hybrids... I think it's too early to tell ATM. I say wait another 1-2 years and Honda should be coming out with their hydrogen cars. They already have been in testing in Cali for about a year. At this year's auto show, many mfgs were showing hydrogen technology. Now... if you want something to "tie you over" for 1-2 years, I'd get the Insight. It's not worth spending $70K on a RX440 or whatever. My buddy's dad will likely be getting it though, so I could let you know then what I think about it. The prius is just fugly. I like the Insight a lot. I envy ppl who have one. My only concern, is how does it do in snow

On the other hand, why not look into an Echo hatch? big man little car

imported_gatherer

Bruno I have that has one he says it's gret in the snow especially witht eh skinny tires

Middlemiss

iTrader: (2)

Volkswagon golf TDI!

imported_94EG6HB

Its nice but 5 passenger seating better..

Insight is extremely light though..

What would happen if you shoehorned a K series into there??


If only they migrated the hybrid technology to the current hatch as well..

Still I think the 4 door hybrid civic is the best.



[window]arstechnica.com/reviews/02q3/civic-hybrid/2003-civic-hy-1.html[/window]

imported_kane2k

Someone actually did make a drag insight with a K series, I think I probably read about it on honda-tech. That article made me want a hybrid too. But then I thought about driving and now I just want a b18 turbo.