I did not read the entire thread, but did read the first post.
Here is my $.02 on this question :
I have a G35 and a Civic Hybrid. Now lets do a little comparison...
Honda - 110hp, 0-60mph in about 10 days
G35 - 298hp, 0-60mph in about 5.4 seconds, 1/4 mile 14.0 sec
Now, with those numbers above you might jump on a G35 right away. In reality who cares about how fast you can really go, or how much horsepower you have under the hood. With the speed limits placed in the streets today, when can you really use that power? The only great benefit for a car with the power would be on the race track.
With taking information above into consideration.... lets look at amount of money spent on gas for an estimated year. ( These numbers will be from my experience only from driving a G35 everyday compared to the HCHII)
1 year = about 52 weeks
G35 - I would put about $50 of gas a week
Calculation: ($50 gas per week) X (52 weeks in a year) =
$2600
HCHII - I now fill up about $30 every two weeks
Calculation: ($30 bi-weekly) X ( 52 weeks divided by 2) =
$780
This calculation is based on my daily commute to and from work. Obviously during the weekend you will tend to drive a little more ( well I do ). Now with these numbers, if you try and calculate for a longer period of time... you will soon realize why a switch in vehicles will be of greater benefit.
I rather be in my Civic than a G35
Dont get me wrong the G35 is a beautiful car, but I think the Civic has its own way of being sexy as well. Mentioning you own a hybrid gets peoples attention as well.