I went with someone last night to help look for a car. I was waiting for the new year (and a raise) to get a 06 HCH. Well, I saw a 05 with low miles and a decent price (paid less than trade-in value with an extended warranty and gap coverage ). It was at a Toyota dealership and the person had been waiting for a Prius that they had ordered, so they just traded it in when thier car arrived the day before. Very smooth ride, I am used to much harsher suspensions. The engine and IMA are very smooth as well, I would say better than the one my friend has with less miles (5k) ... and I am already getting 15-20 mpg more than they are .

I had to change my starting mileage in the database because I didn't fill up the tank until this afternoon when I left the house. I ended my drive tonight with 52.2 mpg, after some traffic lights brought it down from 56.9, total drive from gas station, to store, and back home was around 50 miles. I had accelerated hard once and mildly aggressive a couple times just to check the car out and see how it does and feel what the CVT is like. Was definately interesting and very much like a slipping clutch and now I also know it can get out of its own way for the most part (interstate on-rams are going to be interesting though). I am definately more aggravated by red lights for decreasing my mileage as I had never thought about that before. I am hoping to be able to push to a 60 mpg average, but I think I do too much city driving for that goal but maybe, I still have a lot of learning and practice to tweak my mileage. Other than two very short trips in someone elses 05 HCH CVT as a DD, This is my first time driving a Hybrid vehicle.
I have noticed for me personally, my charge stays around 3/4 to full almost all the time, haven't even come close to half. I find myself accelerating in the 2k-2500 range and that seems like an ample enough rate to not hinder traffic too much.

I am very happy to finally join all of you as a HCH owner and not just an observer. I hope to keep the mileage up to be a contributing member showing that the EPA estimates are realistic and beatable in real life. Take care everyone and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!