Anyone with experience with a 2008 Honda Civic vs. 2008 Prius?

[Ventura]

Originally Posted by Sheepdog

I found the Pri to be more room inside. I found the Pri to be cooler in function and instruments. I found the Pri to be a better 3 year resale too according to history.

Why would you consider the Honda? old technology, old styling, no price incentive and no 3 year comparability to the Pri.

Face it- The Pri is a one of a kind car and nobody has been able to equal it yet!

The only think the Honda has, IMHO, over the Pri is the exterior styling. You can get the Civic looking pretty nice in the right color and with the optional upgraded wheel set.

Above and beyond that...nothing, I guess. I would guess overall performance (acceleration, etc.) is roughly the same, and the Pri gives much stronger MPG numbers and has more cargo room by a longshot. Plus, like I said before, the technology in the Pri seems second to none.

[Sheepdog]

You can always buy prettier wheels for the Pri. I however think the std wheels are nice once you take off the Fisher Price plastic rings!

[Ventura]

Originally Posted by Sheepdog

You can always buy prettier wheels for the Pri. I however think the std wheels are nice once you take off the Fisher Price plastic rings!

Stop the train!

Plastic rings?

[cwerdna]

Originally Posted by Ventura

Stop the train!

Plastic rings?

The stock alloy wheels come w/these somewhat strange plastic rings that go along the outside. Prius Wheel Trim has pictures with them on (by default) and removed.

[Voidvoice]

Originally Posted by cwerdna

The stock alloy wheels come w/these somewhat strange plastic rings that go along the outside. Prius Wheel Trim has pictures with them on (by default) and removed.

I never know there is a trim rings. I only has my prius 2 weeks. However, i did notice the "plastic" feel when i check my tire pressure. I was thinking what was that... plastic, though i didnt believed the ? I thought the whole trim is like that trim is plastic

[Ventura]

Originally Posted by cwerdna

The stock alloy wheels come w/these somewhat strange plastic rings that go along the outside. Prius Wheel Trim has pictures with them on (by default) and removed.

Wow. Useful. Thanks for the link.

[richard schumacher]

The standard Prius trim rings pop right off revealing the nice alloy wheels in all their glory. I like the look. Some think that the rings enhance the aerodynamics of the wheel at highway speed. Others say that they help fend off curb scrapes. I say eh.

The touring Prius wheels come with complete plastic wheel covers. If I had a touring I think I'd take these off also. The wheels underneath have a dark, dangerous looking finish :_> but they do benefit from the small Toyota logo hubcaps (are these optional on a touring?).

My GF bought an '07 Civic with 5-speed manual (and it took a while for find one). It's really pretty nice for an old technology car.

[finman]

Okay, I'll admit it...I always look at the new Civic and say, wow, what a beautiful car!

then I hop in my Prius, thinking of my $30 fillups and say "what a beautiful car!"

Not that the Prius is unattractive, but I do like the Civic look. And the Prius hatchback is a must. And, bar none, the HSD (Hybrid Synergy Drive) is tops in car tech right now...really the past 10 years!

[ForTheGlory]

I happen to really like the look of the Prius. I think it's neat that it looks "different" and that its form is governed by attaining great aerodynamics and interior space. However, you spend the majority of your time inside the car (as opposed to outside it looking at it). Who cares what it looks like if you usually can't see it?

[Tbirdtony]

I did consider the Honda Civic Hybrid. I drove both cars on city streets and on the freeway. This is my opinion on the deficiencies:

Honda Civic Hybrid - smaller interior with no fold-down rear seats, limited exterior colors which, in my opinion, are dull & bland, interior colors are terrible (ivory, looks yellow, or dark blue seats with very light, almost off white, door panels and seat backs, & mileage not on par with the Prius.

Toyota Prius - needs telescoping steering wheel.

I just bought a 2008 Barcelona Red Prius with Option Package #3 since I was not interested in leather seats or the Toyota Nav System (I have a Garmin). I have now driven the car 410 miles and I am very pleased. The telescoping steering wheel, which the Honda Civic has, would be a nice improvement. The Prius replaces a 2005 PT Cruiser Limited Edition turbo which got 19.5 mpg in town and 24 mpg on trips. The Prius is larger and much quieter than the PT Cruiser. So far the Prius average MPG is 47.6.
I hope my comments help anyone who hasn't decided on a Civic Hybrid or Prius. Buy the Prius. You won't be disappointed.