Well, today is the 1 month anniversary for my HCH II. It's just over 3250 miles and I have been impressed with how much I've saved in gas over my Explorer (18 mpg) and my Titan (15 mpg). At $2.75/gallon, I've saved $300 in gas vs my Explorer and $400 in gas vs my Titan. I do miss driving the bigger vehicles - especially when one comes up behind me with their high beams, but couldn't justify spending an extra $3600 to $4800/year in gas (probably more as I'm sure gas will be well over $3.00 by year end.

I'll just hope it handles the snow as well as the Explorer and Titan (both were 4x4) - I plan on putting on snow tires, which I am sure it will hit the MPG.

My commute time hasn't changed by much (about 1.5 hours into work, 1.75 hours back home - about 80 miles each way) but I can tell my driving habits have changed. I find myself getting off the gas earlier for lights and with the digital dash, I've learned the optimal speed for each of the corners and exits where I don't have to brake for them so as I approach, I coast down to the "right" speed. I don't draft of anything crazy like that, just boosted the tires to 40 psi. I still cruise at 75 miles per hour, while touch on 80+ when I have to pass.

One sad thing I have realized though, I will probably be getting rid of the car after 2 years (figure I'll have almost 80K on it), definitely by 3 years (I'll be at 117K). Even if gas prices push past $5 by then, I don't think I'll be able to justify the premium for another Hybrid Civic vs. a Civic LX or FIT. With a payback time frame of 3 years (the longest I will keep the hybrid), I'll only save about $3700 in gas vs a 35 mpg Civic LX or FIT. Assuming the hybrid will still cost about $4000 more, after a $2K federal tax credit, the savings would be barely breakeven. Of course, I will find out 2 to 3 years from now what the difference, if any, a hybrid depreciation rate is once it goes past the 80K warrantee, which is another wild card.

Either way, I am enjoying the car while I got it, just hope the prices come down (for gas as well as the hybrid) in the future!