Some things to consider:

1) The Honda IMA is an assist to a gasoline engine, while the Toyota Synergy moves the car without the engine (at low speeds). I would expect that the Honda IMA battery is not as stressed as the Toyota battery. I'm equating stress with current draw (amps -> electromotive force). So less stress equals longer battery life.

2) A Honda salesman commented to me (take this for what its worth) that if the battery goes out on a Honda IMA, you can still drive it using the gasoline engine. Meanwhile, the Toyota Synergy would be stuck if its battery went out. He said that many years down the line, you could just drive a Honda IMA with just the engine. (I kind of doubt this. If anything, you would be seeing/hearing a lot of warnings).

3) Most importantly and not as well publicized, Honda IMA cars have a REALLY good PZEV Emissions warranty for CA/CT/MA/NY/VT. The regular warranty is 3/36 (years/1000 miles) with the IMA battery and a few other IMA hardware 8/80. Meanwhile, the PZEV warranty is 15/150 (entire list) with the IMA battery 10/150 to comply with the CA Air Resources Board anti-smog standards. (Ref: Warranties booklet, Federal and CA Emissions Warranties Parts List in the back of booklet - I hope I'm reading it right!). To repeat:

PZEV CA/CT/MA/NY/VT warranty is 15 years / 150,000 miles; IMA battery 10 years / 150,000 miles.

So, even if the state you're in does not qualify you for the PZEV warranty, we ALL have the same parts. I'm counting on my belief that Honda is the type of company to design enough margin and robustness into their IMA cars to even have a 15/150 (IMA battery 10/150) warranty. We ALL benefit.

On the other hand, warranties are like playing the odds for the car manufacturers. (So why was the dealer pushing the extended warranty so hard?... $$$, of course!).

4) When I have to replace the IMA battery out-of-warranty, I'm going to consider some of the "plug-in" hybrid companies if they have something designed for the HAH -> support their business model.

In summary, I'm not too concerned about the problems mentioned. This is a long-term car for me. Besides, I really like the "Bat Out of Hell" acceleration (when needed, of course)!

Best regards,
- Gary.


04/2006 HAH (built with PCM Update to Improve Fuel Mileage)