Test Drive the Civic Hybrid!!!!

[Tideland Prius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Sep 8 2007, 12:36 PM) [snapback]509167[/snapback]</div>

I would have been very tempted if the Civic Hybrid was available in the coupe. It wasn't and I wasn't. Still, it's a nice car. They're going to have to drop the Canadian Civic Hybrid price, now that the Prius price has dropped, if they want to compete.
[/b]

They did drop it from $28,500 to $25,800 (someone had fun with numbers) from 2005 to 2006. For 2007, it goes up to $26,200 (BCers pay no tax since the rebates cancel them all out for the HCH-II).

Plus, it's a few hundred dollars different from a Civic Si Coupe. Do you want a 198hp 6-spd manual coupe or a fuel-sipping, high tech hybrid?

[mr_zorg]

My wife and I have both a Civic Hybrid and a Prius, both '06 models. We both prefer the Prius, so I make her suck it up with the Civic.

[sanmusa]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Sep 8 2007, 01:28 AM) [snapback]508976[/snapback]</div>

It's a good car. I've test driven the 2006 one (basically the same as the 2007) and it feels sporty to drive. I'm surprised about your comment on rear legroom esp. since the wheelbase of the HCH-II is identical to the Prius. The rear legroom on the HCH-II is quite good for a compact car (and I thought rivalled the Prius).
[/b]

According to www.automotive.com the Prius has 2-1/2" more legroom than the Civic, and even has more legroom than the Camry:

"The back seat is surprisingly roomy. There's 2-1/2 inches more rear leg room than in the Civic Hybrid, and Prius even beats the Camry by an inch."

http://www.automotive.com/2005/43/toyota/p...rior/index.html

[cairo94507]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Sep 8 2007, 05:09 PM) [snapback]509206[/snapback]</div>

The Civic is a great car. If the Prius didn't exist it would be the best fossil-fuel car out there.

But the first two items on your "I Love" list are the two reasons I would not want it: Conventional engine & transmission. I love the way the Prius does NOT start the engine unless it's needed, and I love the lack of a conventional transmission.
[/b]

I have to agree here- I love not having to fumble with a key to drive the Prius. I wish all cars would go to this type of ignition/start system. When I have to drive a car using a key I actually find myself irritated.

[jarhead&#39;s prius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cairo94507 @ Sep 9 2007, 10:45 AM) [snapback]509510[/snapback]</div>

I have to agree here- I love not having to fumble with a key to drive the Prius. I wish all cars would go to this type of ignition/start system. When I have to drive a car using a key I actually find myself irritated.
[/b]

I test drove '08 Vette, it has no key, also.

[David Beale]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Sep 8 2007, 08:53 PM) [snapback]509334[/snapback]</div>

Do you want a 198hp 6-spd manual coupe or a fuel-sipping, high tech hybrid?
[/b]

Yes, I wanted the Civic 198 HP 6 spd manual coupe. I also wanted the fuel economy and technology of the Prius. My decision was to evolve into efficiency and I bought the Prius. You see, I had the anti-Prius (2001 Pathfinder - 240 HP 4400 lb) and a 1993 RX-7 (300 HP - too fast for any public road). It was time to change. I traded in the anti-Prius for a Prius and then sold the RX-7. And I'm not regretting it a bit!

But as I said, if Honda had offered the coupe with the hybrid drivetrain, I could have had a very efficient car (about 10% less than a Prius) that would have -looked- fast.

Funny part is, a friend who also just sold his 1994 RX-7 got the Honda Si. Now he's not happy having to rev it so high to get any power. But he looks good in it.

I thought I was getting a "gutless wonder" when I bought the Prius. Lo and behold it is amazing on the highway. It passes better than the anti-Prius. If you are passing someone and floor it you'd better be holding onto the steering wheel! And it handles the corners just fine, thank you! No, it's no match for the RX-7. But in that car I had to continually exercise extreme self control. All other vehicles were just "mobile chicanes".

But I ramble. Sorry.

[Tideland Prius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sanmusa @ Sep 9 2007, 12:17 AM) [snapback]509441[/snapback]</div>

According to www.automotive.com the Prius has 2-1/2" more legroom than the Civic, and even has more legroom than the Camry:

"The back seat is surprisingly roomy. There's 2-1/2 inches more rear leg room than in the Civic Hybrid, and Prius even beats the Camry by an inch."

http://www.automotive.com/2005/43/toyota/p...rior/index.html
[/b]

Interesting. I would have never guessed esp. since the wheelbase is (I believe) identical and it feels spacious to me.

Oh and just take note that it's comparing to the old Camry. The 07 Camry I believe matches or beat the Prius.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Sep 9 2007, 09:20 AM) [snapback]509556[/snapback]</div>

Yes, I wanted the Civic 198 HP 6 spd manual coupe. I also wanted the fuel economy and technology of the Prius. My decision was to evolve into efficiency and I bought the Prius. You see, I had the anti-Prius (2001 Pathfinder - 240 HP 4400 lb) and a 1993 RX-7 (300 HP - too fast for any public road). It was time to change. I traded in the anti-Prius for a Prius and then sold the RX-7. And I'm not regretting it a bit!

But as I said, if Honda had offered the coupe with the hybrid drivetrain, I could have had a very efficient car (about 10% less than a Prius) that would have -looked- fast.

Funny part is, a friend who also just sold his 1994 RX-7 got the Honda Si. Now he's not happy having to rev it so high to get any power. But he looks good in it.

I thought I was getting a "gutless wonder" when I bought the Prius. Lo and behold it is amazing on the highway. It passes better than the anti-Prius. If you are passing someone and floor it you'd better be holding onto the steering wheel! And it handles the corners just fine, thank you! No, it's no match for the RX-7. But in that car I had to continually exercise extreme self control. All other vehicles were just "mobile chicanes".

But I ramble. Sorry.
[/b]

You mean you would've bought a Honda Insight? lol.... It's a coupe, it's a hybrid, it looks fast cause of the sleek aerodynamic design.


lol.. mobile chicanes... so that's what Albertans do down Hwy 2. (Rhyme was unintentional)

[daniel]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cairo94507 @ Sep 9 2007, 07:45 AM) [snapback]509510[/snapback]</div>

I have to agree here- I love not having to fumble with a key to drive the Prius. I wish all cars would go to this type of ignition/start system. When I have to drive a car using a key I actually find myself irritated.
[/b]

One of the few drawbacks of the Xebra is that I'm always belting myself in before remembering that I have to take the key out of my pocket.