Well, it has been just a little over a year since my wife and I became proud owners of a Opal Silver Blue 2007 HCHII.

And what a year it has been with the car. While there were some teething issues with the car, overall I give our HCHII a rating of 9 out of 10.

The car is still solid and quiet, and is a pleasure to drive. The cabin is spacious and comfortable for short or long trips. Build quality is, well it's built like a Honda!

Since the car is my wife's commuter car, I don't get to drive it as much as I'd like, but that scarcity makes it even more special when I do get the chance to get behind the wheel.

Here are the top line statistics on the car:
Total miles to date: 21302
Total gallons of gas used: 543
Range of gas prices in the year: Nov 06 $2.239, Nov 07 $3.319 or 33% increase
Average MPG: 39.2309
Total oil burned: 0 qts.
Out of pocket repair costs: $0.00

Major Maintenance:
2 DIY Synthetic Oil/filter changes and tire rotations
Total Maintenance costs: $60

Major repairs:
1. Motor Position Sensor and Motor Control Module was replaced
2. Electric Power steering rack was replaced
3. Air-conditioner compressor driver module in IPU compartment was replaced (this one had a major effect on gas mileage, and was the hardest to figure out.)

Major Modifications and upgrades:
1. Upgraded the Headlight low-beams to HID units
2. Upgraded the Headlight high-beams with PIAA Xenon gas bulbs
3. Upgraded the Horn with a Hella Super-Horn
4. Installed Fog lamps with Hella Optima bulbs
5. Installed an Exhaust pipe chrome finisher
6. Replaced the OEM 15" wheels and tires with OEM 16" wheels and tires
7. Installed electro-luminescent scuff plates on the door openings
8. Installed backup sensors on the rear bumper
9. Lined the glovebox, and all of the storage bins with black adhesive felt
10. Added a liner and first-aid kit in the trunk
11. Replaced the rear license plate lamps with LEDs

What do I not like about the car?
There is not much not to like, but a few things I would like to see improved:
Electrically heated seats
Stability control
Factory HID lamps
Thicker paint. The front of the car has picked up quite a few rock chips from its daily commute, especially on the hood.
The more advanced navigation system that also does traffic alerts from XM radio and has better iPod integration would be nice as well.

Is the mileage what I thought it would be?
Yes and no. As all of you know, to get the really good gas milage numbers you have to concentrate on it. When I drive the car, I try to wring out as much as I can while trying to stay up with traffic. So I can pull 55 mpg pretty consistently. My wife on the other hand, just drives with the traffic, and her average mileage is closer to the lifetime MPG average of the car, which is not that bad considering her old car, an Audi Allroad, got about 19 mpg on a good day.

Would I do it again?
Absolutely, in fact I plan to get on the list for when the Honda FCX Clarity becomes available here in the SF bay area.

I want my grandkids to know that Grandpaw was on the cutting edge for automobiles even back when cars still ran on gasoline!

For those considering a HCHII, Do it! It will be an excellent purchase.

 

Good review. Thanks!

 

I have had better luck than you thus far 15000 Kil. with no maintenance repairs. 11 mths. ownership. Granted you have more than double the milage. Good luck from here on, H

 

Great job OE and good luck in the future years w/ your HCH and your (hopefully) FCX!

 

Überlord,
your signature is misleading with 51 mpg. The reason seems to be that you have only included one sample in the database.

And yes please keep us updated on the FCX. Technically, I would say it's a hybrid. It should qualify to this forum.

 

For the sample size it is spot on!

 

zOMGz meet-up and drive at OE's in SF when he get's the FCX!!!1