Got to drive a HCH today

[des101]

That was fun! Looking forward now to driving it now that I know what the gauges mean. I am also looking forward to a test drive on a Prius.


Otoh, I asked the owner re: if he hypermiled. He asked what it was so I explained. He said he wasn't going to go without A/C and drive like a little old lady. (sigh) He's getting fair mileage but nothing impressive.


--des

[precisedjs]

Originally Posted by des101

That was fun! Looking forward now to driving it now that I know what the gauges mean. I am also looking forward to a test drive on a Prius.


Otoh, I asked the owner re: if he hypermiled. He asked what it was so I explained. He said he wasn't going to go without A/C and drive like a little old lady. (sigh) He's getting fair mileage but nothing impressive.


--des

I might just have to go test drive one. I just got a 2002 lexus and I wanted to get a hybrid, but everyone tells me that they're not meant to last that long - so you either pay now or pay in the end.. I guess driving one of these will help!

[okiebutnotfrommuskogee]

I can't speak for the current HCH, but I did own an 03 model for four and two-thirds years. I was happy with it until I drove an 07 Prius for a day. (It was a loaner from the Toyota dealer while my 05 Avalon was in for service)

There was no comparison. In less than two weeks I had a new 07 Prius and in another week the HCH had a new owner. I have had the Prius for almost a year and never regretted the switch.

I believe that hypermiling would be more difficult in the HCH because the drive systems are completely different.

[Tideland Prius]

The new HCH-II is a much improved car over the HCH-I. It is quite enjoyable to drive. I never did find out my mpg after the test drive but it was definitely more sporty than the Prius.

[martinisaacanywhere]

I've gotta say, I'm a big fan of the handling and feel of the Civic hybrid. I like the feel of the cockpit, the handling and the responsiveness of the steering. Makes my prius feel a little like a boat....

[Tideland Prius]

Congrats!

[bulldog]

I looked at the HCHII when I got the Prius in 06, I really like the styling a lot better and the suspension is much better than the Prius. Unfortunately Honda made a big blunder by not making the HCHII a hatchback like the Prius. I don't need 4 big seats as I use it as commuter primarily and when we are 4 adults in the car it is only for short distances. However the dog would not be happy in a trunk and I really like the utility of a hatchback.

If the HCHII was a hatchback I would most probably have bought that instead of the Prius. I don't think there is much difference in FE and performance, not for my use anyway. But I do like the styling and handling/ride of the HCHII much better.

[misslexi]

When it came time to part with my 04 HCH I test drove an 08 model. I felt that all the things I loved about my 04 were lost; the spartan workingclass interior, the zippy sportiness and the analog gauges to name a few. It did not help that Honda has chosen to partner exclusively with XM; I'm a lifetime Sirius subscriber.

I was getting a consistent 45 mpg hwy, 41 city with the 04 but she had racked the miles, just shy of 80k.

Anyway, ended of with an 06 Prius with 20k miles. Figured if I had to lose the sports car feel of the Civic, may as well go all the way.

[usbseawolf2000]

So... what MPG are you getting now compare to 04 HCH?

[MountainStone]

Originally Posted by martinisaacanywhere

I've gotta say, I'm a big fan of the handling and feel of the Civic hybrid. I like the feel of the cockpit, the handling and the responsiveness of the steering. Makes my prius feel a little like a boat....

Considering you can bolt the suspension from the Civic Si sedan into the HCH with no fabrication, the Civic looks like a better choice than the Prius for a driving enthusiast.