You will most likely be able to swap out wheels with any wheel that fits a stock civic. It may add some weight but shouldn't be too bad.

I haven't heard too many issues with hybrids as far as reliability goes. Probably less than with a conventional civic.

 

>Are HCH's reliable? Any common issues or problems? >Any big things I should know about?

So far they seem to be. Only time can tell. It *is* a Civic though, and Civics in general are some of the most reliable cars on the planet.

>How are HCH's in snowy/icey conditions? Where I live >(CT) we can either get a bad winter or no snow at all >so I need to be ready for a bad one. I'm not looking >to get thru a foot of snow, but if there is like 3 >inches can I make it home from the office?

The stock tires that come on the car will be horrible in icy conditions. However, I have heard that you can replace them with a set of Michelin Hydroedge with no noticeable loss in gas mileage. In any case, you would probably need to replace the stock tires on just about any car you buy anyway if you wanted good performance in the ice/rain.


>How is the HCH on acceleration? Gets up hills okay? >Enough power to pass on the highway?

It has basically enough power to get the job done and be safe. Yes, you can pass on the freeway and get up hills without a problem. But it is still fairly slow.

>Gas Mileage, is it close to what the EPA estimates? >If it's 40MPG its better than what I get now.

Provided you drive 65 max on the freeway and are not too aggressive, you should have no problems getting 45+ mpg.

>Tax deductions, from my understanding there is a >2000 dollar tax deductions for 05 and I beleive the >state of CT waives or refunds sales tax on Hybrids. >Can anyone confirm this?

Yes this is correct. I am envious of your sales tax waiver as assuming 8% sales tax it is a whopping $1600 on a 20K car!!!!! However the HOV lane stickers in CA help make up for it.


>Is it hard to get used to driving a hybrid vehicle? I >noticed the Accord shut down while stopping, Civic >does the same?

Not really... on the 05 and earlier models there is an econ button which takes some getting used to but I believe it is banished on the 06? Can anyone confirm?

>Is pricing available for the 06 HCH? I'd be buying an >06 prolly with nav and all.

The price increase is expected to be modest. I recommend getting a price quote online or from a distant dealer, then bringing that in to your local dealer and asking for a match. They generally will.

 

I believe you are correct; there is no econ button on the HCH - instead, because the A/C is a twin scroll unit with both gas and electric driven scrolls, there are buttons on the dash for A/C and "Max A/C". With just the A/C set, it will autostop and run the A/C as needed electrically. On Max A/C it will spin the twin scrolls on both gas and electricity for maximum cooling. Hopefully most people will be smart enough to just set the A/C and leave it at that. All but the hottest climates should be fine with just the regular electric A/C. MSRP is expected to be $21,500 and that includes the fancy voice activated DVD navigation system. I want one!

 

21,500 WITH Navigation? Are you 100% sure about that?? That would seal the deal, thats a great offer.

 

Well I just re-read the press release. Apparently I missed the word "available" in the description of features. The NAV is available, not standard. I guess you're probably right and it will be a $2000 feature or something, bringing the true coast of a loaded hybrid up to $23,500.

 

Hope that is true, if so I think I will be pulling out my checkbook My goal is to never have a car loan again in my life, so in about 4-6 months, I should have enough saved up to pay cash for a HCH

 

I bought my 05 HCH and reside in CT. The state is sales tax free for hybrids that get >40 mpg highway only (HCH, Insight, Prius) and this is also true for used car purchases so it will help you sell the thing later. This combined with the fed deduction essentially made the hybrid CHEAPER! than a comparably equipped civic since in addition to the tax savings on the hybrid, i would have had to pay taxes on the gas only civic.

I average around 48 mpg without much effort but i did have to learn how to get the most out of the car. Milage is hit by A/C use in the summer, defrost use in the winter, and cold weather too. Snow driving is fine, but like others, the clearance is not good compared to by former F-150. I now have to shovel my 0.1 mile driveway before going to work!

https://www.greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/car/1297/signature.png

 

I assume you saw my correction above about how the true price with Navi seems to be on target for $23,500, not $21,500. Still a good deal, but not the smokin bargain that I had first thought. I also would like to buy my next car without a car loan, but it's definitely going to take me more than 6 months of saving to get there. I like the way you think though! Debt free is a great way to live, it just takes time and effort to get going for most of us.

 

23,500 plus the 2000 dollar tax credit, plus no sales tax, plus the gas savings, its worth it. My friends keep telling me to get a Jetta TDI, full loaded its about 26/27k + tax, diesel is mor eexpensive and the mileage isnt as good and its under powered as compared to a civic.

 

I saw that Navi change, but you are overestimating the base car costs by about $1000, and if you know how to drive the manual (which is more fun an peppier) you can save an additional $1,000. I got mine with the 6 disc changer and fog lights for less than $20,500 and iafter visiting hybridcars.com and this site i have since learned i could have done even better.