I’m at close to 102,000 in my 2003 HCH but I purchased it used with about 99,000 on it. That is why I call it The Gamble; I’m gambling on Honda’s reputation for quality. I have been real happy so far. My MPG average is 49. I can keep it in the 50s just by being careful (not all the funky hypermiler stuff others do) but my wife just drives (and has a little bit of a heavy foot) which keeps the average mileage at 49 (she gets about 46 to my 52).

I replaced the plugs not long after I got it. They were VERY clean (i.e. all deposits looked normal) but I have to assume they had been in there a while because they were pitted on the leads (not being a mechanic I don’t know the correct terminology – I am trying to say that the metal had been eaten away where the spark hit repeatedly for thousands and thousands of miles).

Regarding tires: I had to go on a trip right after buying the thing and the tires were pretty bad, so I got new ones, but no one had the special ones in stock. I got standard Bridgestone Insignia SE200 (at least I don’t think they are special high FE tires). The ride got a lot better (softer, quieter) and the FE didn’t seem to suffer much, if at all. But it was in the spring when the weather was still cold. I don’t know what mileage I could have gotten on high FE tires in warmer temps. I keep them just above “door speck” air pressure (about 36-38 psi) the sidewall is 44psi.

I REALLY hope that the battery lasts on this thing. I got it with all the miles to keep the price down. If I have to drop $4000 for new batteries I think I won’t hear the end of it from my wife. Anyway, it seems to charge and discharge normally, but I don’t have anything to compare it to. Are there late model warranties that would cover it?


kernk