Hi everyone. New here, and after reading many threads, I've come to the conclusion that it is hard to just come to a conclusion! There are many mixed views on hybrids. So while I read on more of your stories, I pose this scenario.

My father-in-law thinks a hybrid is the thing for him. After years of telling him there is life after Oldsmobile, he got an Accord. The pendulum swings the other way, and now Hondas are the best! Theory: If it is a Honda, then it automatically gets better mileage and makes more sense than anything (his wife had a Grand Cherokee, and now a Pilot.) So his lease is now coming due, and he is looking at the Civic hybrid.

Note: HOV lane advantage = none

The regular drive: 11.8 city, 46 highway; 57.8 round

The driver: heavy accelerator, panic braker (that guy 3 blocks away just came outta nowhere!-like ) "Cruises" about 5-10 over the limit. I say "cruises" because his gas pedal is an on/off switch. On the highway 65 is 62to67to63to66to62to67 etc - you will have a sore neck and a headache after 10 miles of it.

The deal: A leaser. Will not buy a car. Feels that leasing is "a luxury" he can "afford." He'll drive a car for 3 years max, anything close to 100,000 miles = death in his mind. (He will pay extra for a 30k+ mile-a-year lease deal.)

The technology perspective: He does not so much as own a CD. AM radio is the comfy spot. Can't/won't use a computer. Hates cell phones (uses a pager to get a call, turns on the cell phone, makes the call, then turns the phone back off). If I am around, I am changing the light bulbs (I kid you not!). Can not, will not, recognize manual transmissions - they "never should have been invented!"

His annual mileage is around 20k-25k when you factor in the above commute x 6 days a week (Sundays are for more than lawn mowing!), plus frenquent irregular trips to see clients and to court (lawyer.)

He's the guy who will go 40 miles out of his way to go to the office to open mail if he has a free hour and a half, just to get back to the area he was alreay in for another appointment. (Yes, all this on a limited mile lease!)

Does a leased hybrid make any sense for this driver? Is the majority of highway miles an automatic downfall?

Thanks for your opinions!