I bought a used 03 Prius along with the maintenance manuals so I could do my own maintenance and repairs. It also gave me 'history' from the various newsgroups and forums so I could learn the lessons from others. I had always planned to optimize my vehicle and this is a lot easier with one that has already exceeded the warranty intervals.

The Honda Civic Hybrid is a nice car and other than the battery pack keeping the rear seats from folding down, not a bad solution. If you tend towards highway driving, it would be first choice. If I had one, I'd probably be engineering a relocation of the battery pack to regain the folding seats.

We have Dept. of Energy fleet reports and they show the Honda Civic Hybrid was much gentler on the battery compared to the Prius. However, both cars went 160,000 miles without a major problem.

I don't know much about the HCH transmission but the Prius transaxle is very cool although it will give you a headache to understand it. Still, either vehicle, used, would work very nicely. Just make sure the transmission/transaxle is serviced early, clean fluids and filters. Be sure to get the maintenance manuals so you'll have the information about your car and the ability to make an independent judgment.

GOOD LUCK!

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
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