Tonight I had several hybrid sightings. Used to be somewhat of a rarity but now they are becoming more mainstream. Odd to see this many in my area though.

Hybrid sightings today-

Prius II- 5
HCH- 5 (no '03's except mine, only '04 & '05)
Insight- 1 (mine)

I haven't noticed any FEH's around and it's rare to see a Prius I anymore.

What bothers me is when you see another hybrid driver and their driving habits are less than even partially efficient? Here's 2 examples from today.

1st: A magnesium HCH that took off from the center lane into traffic just as I was passing him going the same direction. I was doing the speed limit (35mph) and poof....he went past and was gone way ahead in no time flat.

2nd: I thought it was still the first HCH as the sun was going down and it was hard to tell what color it was. As I neared it I saw it was an OSBM (light blue) HCH, right at the same time I saw someone I had been trying to get on the phone this afternoon pull into traffic so I swapped into the left lane. Found out it wasn't them so I used the chance to check out who was driving the HCH as I was easing past and still doing the speed limit. Some guy who had his tilted down as though he was constantly glancing at his FCD, nice seeing someone driving slightly slower I thought to myself. Once past I pulled in front of him (about 7 car lengths ahead). He stayed there for about a minute and blasted past and was gone, we were now in a 55mph zone.

While I was behind both of these drivers I noticed neither planned their lights, traffic spacing, braking (or lack of) - meaning they rode the butt of the car in front of them and just slammed on their brakes. And of course, both had their A/C on. It was quite warm today so I can understand. It just bothers me that these are probably the same people that complain about their mileage.

Still, it was nice to see all these hybrids out there today. Also saw 2 '06 Civic 4drs.

'00 Insight "Wazabi" -75,000+ miles
'03 Toyota Matrix - 81,000+ miles
'03 HCH-CVT-OSBM-41,000+ miles (retired 04-10-06)
"I'm very secure with my little Insight, no Prius envy here."

Your observations are very similar to what I witnessed yesterday, except not one of the hybrid drivers I encountered was remotely aware of mileage. Our driving techniques are in the absolute minority, even among hybrid drivers.

I drove from the OC to Santa Barbara and back (95% freeway; about 280 miles round trip) and there had to be at least 15 Priuses (Prii?), 10 HCHs, 5 escape hybrids, and a couple Insights. A Prius was tailgating me for a mile or so. I guess HCH vs. Prius is the new Mustang vs. Camaro since the Prius driver gave me a nasty look as he passed me. When I left the OC, I was lined up with another HCH at a redlight. When the light turned green, I could have sworn I heard tires squeal as he dumped the clutch. I've never witnessed a hybrid take off so quickly.

Every single hybrid was driving significantly faster than I was and more than half had the sacred HOV lane sticker. I speculate that many of the hybrid owners (at least in California) are more concerned with the time savings of being able to use the HOV lane during traffic hours than achieving high fuel economy. I guess driving 80-90MPH in a hybrid is still more efficient than driving that fast in most other cars.

Yes! Exactly right! Better peeling out in a hyrbid than in a Mustang or Camaro! Bright side is always first.

And when I get my 2006 HCH (possibly this weekend, probably Monday or Tuesday) I will be one of those people. Similarly, I will celebrate my new vehicle purchase by driving all over the place and taking extended trips, even though this uses much more gas than staying at home.

Congrats on the new HCH. I think its normal to want to drive around a lot when you first get a new vehicle. I have always done it, its just too much fun to resist. Feel comfortable with the fact that you will not be causing as much CO2 etc as a regular vehicle. Now that you have a hybrid, you will be more tuned-in to others on the roadways...

i think i had a 2 sighting day yesterday. saw a prius as i was waiting at an off ramp on the road. then passed an insight, both going the opposite direction. i gave her the thumbs up. i didn't realize until she was past that it was an insight, they look similar in the front to my HCH.

too bad there's not some way to inspire dealers to give tips, or even let them know about this website, so they can inform their buyers. i am sure the dealers aren't giving them any more tips than to come in and get your oil changed....i learned on my own, and then found this site and it was very helpful in adding to what i discovered on my own. most drivers, however, will do as you all stated.....drive like any other car and then complain when they don't get the high mileage.....too bad.

Best fill 66.7 MPG, best tank 801.5 miles



laurie, central minnesota

I see Prii everywhere anymore, both the classic and the current model. The HCH his a rarer site, but I do see them fairly often. I parked next to another FEH at the theater in Grapevine the other day.

Go get Em big dog, enjoy that 06 HCH.

Forgot to mention this though, don't forget to let the rest of know (Exactly) what you think after you get on the road with your new toy.


Enjoy;

Terry

Speaking of sightings... can some of you help the un-initiated? I drive a HiHy so I know what to look for, although I personally haven't seen another hybrid (the HSD logo below the Highlander badge in back, the area over the lift gate latch is chrome vs color-matched, likewise the front grill is chrome vs color matched). I saw that the FEH had a nice "Hybrid" logo on the back and sides. I believe the Prius and Insight are somewhat self-explanatory.

BUT.... How can I tell if a civic or accord that I see is a hybrid or not????

I admit it... I'm a "girl" (gasp!) and I really don't pay that much attention to other cars but I'd like to know if I see another hybrid. I've seen a few priuses but that's about it for me so far.

I can help you on the Civic. The wheels are exclusive but the BIG easy catch is the antenna is on top of the roof in the center. Real easy to spot.

'00 Insight "Wazabi" -75,000+ miles
'03 Toyota Matrix - 81,000+ miles
'03 HCH-CVT-OSBM-41,000+ miles (retired 04-10-06)
"I'm very secure with my little Insight, no Prius envy here."