My 89 Civic with 260,000+ miles needs a rest, so I'm looking into the Civic Hybrid and the Toyota Prius. I've been looking at new and used (2005-2006 Prius and 2006 Honda because of the redesign). Used Priuses are more available than used 2006 Civics.

The Prius seems to have a slight edge in the online reviews, but I've been loyal to Honda for many years. I like the look of the Honda, but the Prius offers better cargo space with the folding back seats. I'm not happy with the colors offered for either vehicle.

I also wonder if it makes sense to buy used when, with a tax credit, the price of a new vehicle could be nearly the same. I've also had a hard time comparing the cars based on cost because the Prius is offered in packages. It's confusing!

Should I go with used or new?

Anyone know how the tax credits compare, especially for the different models and new v. used?

Has anyone ever replaced the battery or known of someone who had to do this and if so, was it costly?

I heard a news report from intellichoice.com last night that said the hybrids are more economical when you consider maintenance and not just gas mileage.

I'm reading the forums comparing the cars and the Prius seems to win out, but no one has written about price comparison or the new/used question. Any additional advice will help.

Thanks!!
Janet

[quote="Anyone know how the tax credits compare, especially for the different models and new v. used?"[/quote]

Tax credit only available to purchaser of new vehicle. HCHII credit still at $2100; Prius at $1575. See IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/...157632,00.html for details.

I love my HCHII.

I bought a used 03 Prius along with the maintenance manuals so I could do my own maintenance and repairs. It also gave me 'history' from the various newsgroups and forums so I could learn the lessons from others. I had always planned to optimize my vehicle and this is a lot easier with one that has already exceeded the warranty intervals.

The Honda Civic Hybrid is a nice car and other than the battery pack keeping the rear seats from folding down, not a bad solution. If you tend towards highway driving, it would be first choice. If I had one, I'd probably be engineering a relocation of the battery pack to regain the folding seats.

We have Dept. of Energy fleet reports and they show the Honda Civic Hybrid was much gentler on the battery compared to the Prius. However, both cars went 160,000 miles without a major problem.

I don't know much about the HCH transmission but the Prius transaxle is very cool although it will give you a headache to understand it. Still, either vehicle, used, would work very nicely. Just make sure the transmission/transaxle is serviced early, clean fluids and filters. Be sure to get the maintenance manuals so you'll have the information about your car and the ability to make an independent judgment.

GOOD LUCK!

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

Hi, Janet, and welcome.

I think you'd be happy with either. I too have been a Honda loyalist, but I chose the Prius for several reasons:

• Like you, the cargo space
• Better rear seat leg room for my tall teenagers
• What I believe is a superior hybrid system design
• The overall uniqueness of the Prius

Potential fuel economy as determined by driving conditions may be a consideration. For urban and suburban driving, especially in warm weather and with a warm engine, the Prius can't be beat (except by the now-discontinued Honda Insight). Either will do well on the highway, though some might give an edge to the Civic.

New versus used? Both models have proven to be dependable, so if I found a used model in good shape with a good price, I would consider it. I bought mine new, partly because I wanted a new car (and its warranty), and partly because at the time a used Prius was hard to come by and nearly the price of a new one. I can't speak to the tax credit issue, but it's certainly a consideration. I bought mine in 2005 when there was no credit, only a deduction, so I haven't been following the tax credit issue closely.

By battery replacement, I assume you're referring to the hybrid battery. There have been a few, but they're rare, and many of those have been replaced under warranty. There are reports now of earlier model Prius with 200K+ miles. I think a conventional car is more likely to need a costly repair in its later years than the hybrid would need the battery replaced. I've seen prices quoted in the forums in the $2K-$3K range.

You might search or post the same question on some other forums. I can't tell you about any Civic-specific ones, but here are two for the Prius:

www.priuschat.com
www.priusonline.com

You will find Prius-only (and anti-Prius) zealots on either, but you will also find many that give you balanced and useful information.

Jim

Lifetime fuel mileage:

After learning how to hypermile:

Wow! Thank you all for such good, detailed advice. Your comments will really help me figure this out. You've also made me feel more enthusiastic about this buying experience. It's hard to let go of my good old 89 Civic.

Thanks!
Janet

Hi Janet,

This is ultimately an individual decision, but if it were me and the tax credit made it a push, I like new. You get more time on the warranty, and you know where it's been, so to speak. Also, finding one or two year old hybrids may be a tough thing to do and might limit your choices. Plus you get that priceless new car smell with new.

While I have not, I'm only aware of one forum member that had to and it was under warranty. Keep in mind that the Honda carries an 8 yr warranty on the batteries (more if you live in CA I think). I don't have to worry until 2011. Now in 03 when I bought mine, the sales person claimed that by the time the 8 years was up, they'd probably be $5-600. Take that for what it's worth.

This has been the subject of endless debates here and elsewhere. I'll try to be helpful and summaize (just my opinion).

• The media in general does a very poor and inaccurate job charactizing the "return" on investment, or total cost of ownership calculations. You wonder if some of them are just making stuff up over drinks at the local Red Lobister. It's that bad. So always view reports with some amount of skepticism.
• The best comparison on whether it's economical is comparing to other cars you'd actually consider. If an Echo/Yaris is actually a possibility for you, you'll find the hybrid never recovers that gap. Civic EX vs. Civic Hybrid, breaks even eventually but takes many years (7-9). Compared to your current car, it may be a matter of 3-4 years. My former car got 25 MPG - I recoverd my hybrid "preimum" in 3 years (over buying a Civic EX) based on about 15,000 miles per year. If it's Civic Hybrid vs. Prius, you win either way.
• My 2 cents - hybrids are economical all by themselves on gas alone. Maintenance wise, the only thing I really save on is brakes - they've lasted 90K miles on some. At 60K for my car, the brakes both have more than 50% left. Everything else is maintained like a Civic.

Final thought: I've believed for a long time that if you do more city stop and go driving, the Prius would get better mileage. On the highway, I think the Civic does better.

I do love my Civic however - no regrets.

Tim

*** Retired after 65,000 outstanding miles ***

Janet, I totally second what Bob said.

However, as an owner of both vehicles perhaps I can address one attribute of your question that carries some meaning to you as a long time Honda owner.

Since you've been a Honda owner you'll likely find that the Civic Hybrid's dynamics- more specifically the handling department - will closely match your previous experiences more so than the Prius would. Of course the Prius excels in other attributes as well (some of them already mentioned).

Still, as a popular recommendation in this site: The best way is for you to test drive both vehicles and find out for yourself which of the two deserves your vote. They are both excellent cars.

Cheers;

MSantos