I disagree on most every count, though we all have our own opinions.

I like being eccentric, and enjoy driving something that sticks out. I would be disheartened if a friend bought a Prius because then I wouldn't be the odd ball. Having a wait list simply means they can't get one Also, you can get a CVT and the color you want in the Prius for $20k. Compared to $19k, there isn't much difference. The Prius comes with MANY extra features, though.

Visit my newly-acquired website, Volconvo Debate Forums!

Yep, we all have our own opinions. I have nothing against the prius, I just don't like waiting. My wife also liked the hch more because she didn't like the look of the prius, or it's design. They both do their job and get us good gas mileage, and to each , their own.
but given the choice of the two, I'm very happy with my choice and if I could have gotten them both in the color i wanted, and with all the options, i'd still get the civic.

Maybe i just don't like hatchbacks.

My Hybrid

2004 Civic w/ CVT
Magnesium Metallic
my commute 53 miles each way

i was under the distinct impression that the new prius was actually being sold at a gain in relation to actual production cost due to the fact of being able to share an assembly line with the camry (the research cost i realize is very large)

Hidden Views Photography

You know, I've been out looking on the internet for the last few days at all the different forums dedicated to hybrids, most of which dedicated to the Prius, and have come to some conclusions.

I've noticed the Prius owners on some of these sites (not all the owners, but some) spend an awful lot of time toting how great the prius is and how bad the honda is. I see a few honda owners standing up for their hondas. I just don't get it.
They are different cars and serve differenet types of people but achieve the same goal.

To me it seems:

The prius favours those that like technology to stand out. From the top to the bottom, I think the toyota really bleeds it's technology proudly, letting you know just exactly what the car is, much like the insight. It's cool, and driving it projectas that cool technology thing. Thats why i think it is so big in hollywood.
On the other hand, the civic conveys the conservative fiscally responsible look of I'm a regular looking car but I'll give you good gas mileage and no one will notice. Clark Howard is a good indicator of the civic, conservative and frugal.

I understand the base prius and the honda cost about the same, so it comes down to taste. I don't know that one is better then the other, or that the prius is better because you hae to wait for it, or because leo dicaprio has one. I don't think the honda is better because it went with a simple concept of electic assist that could be adapted easily to other cars in the line, and yield a good profit. Once again, i think it comes down to what you like or what you want out of a car.

If you want good mileage, you can't go wrong with either if you know how to drive. I see a lot of people at different forums complain about low gas mileage and blame the car, regardless of model, and they expect it to be just like a regular car.

I just bought mine last week, and i'm proud to be a member of a hybrid community, and look to learn from owners of all three hybrids on how i can do things better to improve my great mileage to stupendously great mileage.

I just don't understand why there has to be that camaro vs mustang mentality with technology that is just so mind baffling.

I don't see it here, and I'm glad of that, and i know that some things said on other forums are just opinions, and it seems in most cases, uneducated opinions.

okay, off my soapbox.

how about a hybrid group hug?

My Hybrid

2004 Civic w/ CVT
Magnesium Metallic
my commute 53 miles each way

Kabel
You make alot of sense.
Me as an HCH owner I could tout all the things I like about my car over Prius
but as you have observed....
It is a loosing battle because no matter who you are YOURS is always the best.

Last January was the time to replace my 10 year old car.
I couldn't use an Insight for my family of 5,
Prius wasn't available but Civics were right there on the lot.

Not that a Civic is 2nd choice because I'd been torn for a year between HCH and a Neon. (I'm a former Dodge guy).
Who knows, if Prius was availabe last Jan I might have one now.
So if you ask me they are both great cars!

You're right,
Hybrids can not only be driven for good mileage as a regular car but the special tools are there to do even better than good.
Wind, rain storms and the family outing can hurt my MPG numbers but
me and my car are now daily getting 62-64MPG in my 45 mile twice a day commute.

As an HCH owner you'll never see me trash a Prius. Here or anywhere.
Steve

Efficient drivers do it better.
1003 miles a tank personal record. 74MPG calculated. HCH1 CVT

Hi Hot_Georgia_2004:

___I regularly dispel Prius owners myth’s with extreme prejudice but I don’t trash Prius’ either Then again, I don’t do the Insight or Hybrid’s in general justice in most instances as well. I just haven’t figured out not what to like about the HCH’s … yet

___Kabel, great description of the overall feel of the big Hybrid boards … You should talk SUV’s over at InsightCentral.net sometime. You would think the Anti-Christ had arisen and had just murdered your children! Oh, and welcome to the GreenHybrid forum.

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net

Hmmmm, I have no idea what you folks are talking about. Personally, I think all cars should be hybrids.

Well, except for maybe bicycles, go-carts, and the famous red "Radio Flyer" wagons. But then those aren't cars, are they?

Personally, I don't care if they're Hondas, Toyotas, Lexi, or MooGooGuyPanum. The time has come for some common sense. Why are we running all these internal combustion engines at traffic lights? What really kills me is that some people even "rev" their engines while at idle! It's insanity! What are we, idjits?

I bought the HCH for one reason.....it was avaliable, here in Washington DC the traffic is up in the top 3 worst in the country... I drive 44 miles each way to work with 40 of it on I-95 (aka parking lot) If you own a hybrid here in DC you can use the HOV lanes....that is why I needed a hybrid, the amount of time I save is tremendous.

I wanted a Prius, the "bells and whistles," better mileage, better warranty (very important as I probably do 30k a year), better looking in my opinion, fold down rear seats, almost same price (base model that is) made it a no brainer... however there was a 6 month wait and the commute was getting to me so bad I was thinking about moving.

With all the benefits I stated above about the Prius...I am by no means unhappy with my HCH, it is a great car.... and as some mechanic friends have informed me, bulletproof compared to the Prius (which seems to be in the shop alot)

Mileage has not been all that impressive, but I tend to have a lead foot, as I said I bought this car for HOV usage, not mileage (the clean emmisions and gas mileage is just an added bonus) I have just found this site so I am going to try and match some of these incredible figures that some are getting...it is just SOOOO hard to roll that SLOW lol

videian said:
Is it? For what?

Johan Erlandsson

See mileage data for my 00 Prius.
See my environmental performance (still in swedish only, feel free to ask).

as in does not break down as much...but that was not me speaking, just an informed view from a mechanic friend...personally I still would have bought the Prius had it been avaliable...I like toys, and it is more of a toy than a HCH