Mustang GT owner thinking about HCH? Comments?
#11
12-30-2007, 08:24 AM
Re: Mustang GT owner thinking about HCH? Comments?
@ All,
When I mean look for a larger car, I am speaking in terms of how many people he will have in the car at one time. 5 people in the Civic is very cramped. God forbid you get into an accident in the Civic with 5 people inside, it could mean disaster if it was a serious accident. Obviously there isn't a problem if it is a little fender bender.
The industry in a whole has always tried to push unrealistic passenger numbers in mainstream cars. Case and point would be the Honda Pilot which seats 8 people and the same Acura MDX which seats 7. They both use the same fold down rear seat.
Also, you didn't indicate whether your kids are in booster seats or child seats. This will seriously reduce the number of people that can sit in the back seat. Because of the bulk of the child/booster seat.
If you decide to purchase this car take your entire family. Have them all with you when you drive the car. You will get a feeling of how this car drives with a full load. You will also see how much room you have to work with. I don't want to discourage you from the HCH but seeing how this car will work for you is number one.
Another note, if everything fits right, try out the regular Civic. You will get that 2100 tax credit up front in terms of price of car. A fully equipped EX with Leather would have cost me $19,500.00, my hybrid cost me fully equipped at $22,600.00. The regular one will also boost a little more power if you are going to have all 5 people in the car. And the regular Civic is also a gas sipper.
Good Luck!
When I mean look for a larger car, I am speaking in terms of how many people he will have in the car at one time. 5 people in the Civic is very cramped. God forbid you get into an accident in the Civic with 5 people inside, it could mean disaster if it was a serious accident. Obviously there isn't a problem if it is a little fender bender.
The industry in a whole has always tried to push unrealistic passenger numbers in mainstream cars. Case and point would be the Honda Pilot which seats 8 people and the same Acura MDX which seats 7. They both use the same fold down rear seat.
Also, you didn't indicate whether your kids are in booster seats or child seats. This will seriously reduce the number of people that can sit in the back seat. Because of the bulk of the child/booster seat.
If you decide to purchase this car take your entire family. Have them all with you when you drive the car. You will get a feeling of how this car drives with a full load. You will also see how much room you have to work with. I don't want to discourage you from the HCH but seeing how this car will work for you is number one.
Another note, if everything fits right, try out the regular Civic. You will get that 2100 tax credit up front in terms of price of car. A fully equipped EX with Leather would have cost me $19,500.00, my hybrid cost me fully equipped at $22,600.00. The regular one will also boost a little more power if you are going to have all 5 people in the car. And the regular Civic is also a gas sipper.
Good Luck!
#12
12-30-2007, 03:33 PM
Re: Mustang GT owner thinking about HCH? Comments?
Windsor 
,, the username genesis came about after I transplanted a 351 Windsor into my old '65 Coupe. The car had miserable suspension, horrible brakes, and one massive engine. Imagine, 350 horsepower in a 2900 pound car with a four speed and 4.11 gears. I'm pretty sure I was not getting more than 8 mpg in that thing.
But it was kewl.
,, the username genesis came about after I transplanted a 351 Windsor into my old '65 Coupe. The car had miserable suspension, horrible brakes, and one massive engine. Imagine, 350 horsepower in a 2900 pound car with a four speed and 4.11 gears. I'm pretty sure I was not getting more than 8 mpg in that thing. But it was kewl.
#13
12-30-2007, 03:39 PM
Re: Mustang GT owner thinking about HCH? Comments?
Hi flyer351;
If you are still attached to the visceral "need for speed" then the HCH may not be the car for you. Its not that it cannot achieve illegal speeds, it is just that the focus of its design and technology is on fuel economy and environmental responsibility... besides a 0-60 in 12 seconds is nothing to write home about.
This stands in total contrast to your Mustang and it would require an equally dramatic transformation of your driving habits (not to mention your willingness to learn) in order for it to be a good match.
The HCH is also one of the safest cars on the road and that along with a willing owner will be the basis for a very safe and responsible combination.
The only other alternate choice to the HCH that I would recommend is a Toyota Prius. These two cars are the two absolute best options if your intentions are to save fuel, save money, pollute less and have greater resale value and reliability - all in one package.
Cheers;
MSantos
If you are still attached to the visceral "need for speed" then the HCH may not be the car for you. Its not that it cannot achieve illegal speeds, it is just that the focus of its design and technology is on fuel economy and environmental responsibility... besides a 0-60 in 12 seconds is nothing to write home about.
This stands in total contrast to your Mustang and it would require an equally dramatic transformation of your driving habits (not to mention your willingness to learn) in order for it to be a good match.
The HCH is also one of the safest cars on the road and that along with a willing owner will be the basis for a very safe and responsible combination.
The only other alternate choice to the HCH that I would recommend is a Toyota Prius. These two cars are the two absolute best options if your intentions are to save fuel, save money, pollute less and have greater resale value and reliability - all in one package.
Cheers;
MSantos
The 0 -60 time doesn't worry me too much. I already spend a lot of time using hypermiling techniques on the Mustang.
#14
12-30-2007, 05:17 PM
Re: Mustang GT owner thinking about HCH? Comments?
Also, if you have not done it already, check out Tarabell's article at CleanMPG for the HCH-II hypermiling basics.
Cheers;
MSantos
#15
12-30-2007, 05:53 PM
Re: Mustang GT owner thinking about HCH? Comments?
@ All,
When I mean look for a larger car, I am speaking in terms of how many people he will have in the car at one time. 5 people in the Civic is very cramped. God forbid you get into an accident in the Civic with 5 people inside, it could mean disaster if it was a serious accident. Obviously there isn't a problem if it is a little fender bender.
When I mean look for a larger car, I am speaking in terms of how many people he will have in the car at one time. 5 people in the Civic is very cramped. God forbid you get into an accident in the Civic with 5 people inside, it could mean disaster if it was a serious accident. Obviously there isn't a problem if it is a little fender bender.
#16
12-30-2007, 07:32 PM
Re: Mustang GT owner thinking about HCH? Comments?
Affirmative.
For the price, it is hard to find a car that can best the HCH in terms of side impact protection for the front and rear occupants. Again, these are the tests where many larger vehicles are worse than 8th gen Civic...
Side impact tests for the 8th gen Civic
Side impact test for the Chevy Malibu (good, but not better than a Civic)
Side impact tests for the Chevy Impala (same heh?)
Cheers;
MSantos
For the price, it is hard to find a car that can best the HCH in terms of side impact protection for the front and rear occupants. Again, these are the tests where many larger vehicles are worse than 8th gen Civic...
Side impact tests for the 8th gen Civic
Side impact test for the Chevy Malibu (good, but not better than a Civic)
Side impact tests for the Chevy Impala (same heh?)
Cheers;
MSantos
Last edited by msantos; 12-30-2007 at 07:44 PM.
#17
12-30-2007, 07:42 PM
Re: Mustang GT owner thinking about HCH? Comments?
Instead of picking on American Cars how about going to safecars.gov It will show you all the cars in their line up that have great safety ratings.
I will stand by my argument about having 3 people in the rear seat in the event of a major accident. Even driving this afternoon, I had to think about it. Watching my son in his booster seat, I could see that there wouldn't be any room for two more people in the back seat to sit comfortability. But again if comfort is not a must then go all for it.
If I get a chance I will have four of my co-workers ride with me in my car to lunch to see how they feel about the comfort of the back seat. I will also do a comparison of the power loss with the added weight in the vehicle.
I will stand by my argument about having 3 people in the rear seat in the event of a major accident. Even driving this afternoon, I had to think about it. Watching my son in his booster seat, I could see that there wouldn't be any room for two more people in the back seat to sit comfortability. But again if comfort is not a must then go all for it.
If I get a chance I will have four of my co-workers ride with me in my car to lunch to see how they feel about the comfort of the back seat. I will also do a comparison of the power loss with the added weight in the vehicle.
#18
12-30-2007, 08:28 PM
Re: Mustang GT owner thinking about HCH? Comments?
Instead of picking on American Cars how about going to safecars.gov It will show you all the cars in their line up that have great safety ratings.
I will stand by my argument about having 3 people in the rear seat in the event of a major accident. Even driving this afternoon, I had to think about it. Watching my son in his booster seat, I could see that there wouldn't be any room for two more people in the back seat to sit comfortability. But again if comfort is not a must then go all for it.
If I get a chance I will have four of my co-workers ride with me in my car to lunch to see how they feel about the comfort of the back seat. I will also do a comparison of the power loss with the added weight in the vehicle.
I will stand by my argument about having 3 people in the rear seat in the event of a major accident. Even driving this afternoon, I had to think about it. Watching my son in his booster seat, I could see that there wouldn't be any room for two more people in the back seat to sit comfortability. But again if comfort is not a must then go all for it.
If I get a chance I will have four of my co-workers ride with me in my car to lunch to see how they feel about the comfort of the back seat. I will also do a comparison of the power loss with the added weight in the vehicle.
Maybe I'll ask three salesmen to ride with me on the test drive.
#19
12-30-2007, 09:12 PM
Re: Mustang GT owner thinking about HCH? Comments?
Sorry, I did not pick on American Cars. I picked two popular and well designed domestic cars. The typical bread-and-butter family 4 door sedans from GM's stable... which I bet, are measurably larger than the 8th Civic.
BTW, the "safecars.gov" does not work for me (DNS issue?). Is there an alternate link?
Arbittan, rest assured that I did not pick the worst to illustrate the point that the Civic is safer than most cars, some of them larger. If you look through the IIHS government crash tests, most automakers have much poorer performing vehicles. full size, SUV's and all. Quite an eye opener, no?
Cheers;
MSantos
#20
12-30-2007, 11:08 PM
Re: Mustang GT owner thinking about HCH? Comments?
arbittan,
Comfort NOT = Crash Safety
Generally speaking, larger would seem to equate to both comfort & safety. But the HCH2 (or any other car, typically) is not LESS SAFE in a crash just because 2 or 3 people are in the back seat.
MSantos, arbittan might have meant http://safercars.gov.
Comfort NOT = Crash Safety
Generally speaking, larger would seem to equate to both comfort & safety. But the HCH2 (or any other car, typically) is not LESS SAFE in a crash just because 2 or 3 people are in the back seat.
MSantos, arbittan might have meant http://safercars.gov.
