Just a comment on weight and aerodynamics...I replaced my tires and wheels on my HCH I in Nov 05. I went with lightweight rims that were close to 4 lbs less per wheel. The new tires were a bit heavier, but in all I dropped 2.8 lbs per wheel on the exchange. Two things changed - I went from a 185/70 to a 195/60, and I went from the "mostly disk" original wheels to spoked (5 paired spokes). Over a year, my average MPG is 2 less than before.

Now I can't prove if the drop was the tires or the wheels. However my opinion it was the wheels (increased drag of the spokes vs. disks). The tires are both LRR and very close in width - ran both at the same pressure too.

Just a heads up that going away from the disks may hurt FE more than tires or weight.

 

Tim - what wheels did you go with?

The stock wheels are Mg, really light. I know the 14' HCH1 wheels are around 10 pounds each.

Also, pics would be great - thanks! (im a forged wheel nerd. haah, forgive me!)

 

oops - double post

 

No problem! I went with Kosei K-1 TS. I actually found the stock wheels were 14.2 lbs. I could not find accurate information anywhere (including Honda) so when I swapped them out, I put one on a scale. The Kosei's were 10.8.

The full writeup is here: https://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/...ead.php?t=4514

This is the latest picture (after I tinted windows too). If I had to do it again, I'd probably go with 15" or 16" with at 205/50 (or so). I was trying to go lighter (which really limits the choices). Not many 14" wheels out there less than 14 lbs (that aren't $300 each). In the end it didn't change anything (actually the FE went down a bit). I'm really happy though - no complaints.

 

wow, 14 pounds!

Pretty lame. I'm trying to find a used set of volk te-37s in either 14x7 or 15x7, because their **** light!


Thanks for the help man!

 

Armand, I'm not sure if you've already made your decision, as your post was 3 weeks ago. If you can afford the hybrid, get it! When I took into account the $2100 tax rebate and the awesome resale this baby will have in a few years, it didn't make sense to get anything else. In fact, whenever I see a non-hybrid Civic, I try to think why they went with that, when all things considered, the Hybrid is the better value. "I guess they had to have those rims or the sunroof," I think to myself. My 2nd choice was a Corolla Sport and while I still think it's nice, if I didn't get the Hybrid, I would always have that feeling of, "I should've just gotten the Civic."

I love my car and am so happy with the decision I made. Sure, I'll save on gas but I also care greatly of the impact I have on the environment to the point that I went vegan. If you don't know the connection of eating meat (in the mass quantities that Americans do) and the devastation to our environment, I strongly suggest you read "The Food Revolution" by John Robbins (flame away).

Anyway, sorry to get off topic, but get the Hybrid. It makes driving fun again!! As for how to get a good deal, get a quote from several dealers in your area. Rock Honda will likely have the lowest quote, which you can use as leverage to the other dealers. Let them know you're serious and get them into a bidding war. I got mine $106 above invoice but I could've done better, just kind of gave up.

 

Armand - I responded to one of your posts already but this is my "home" forum since I own a Honda again (previously had a '96 Accord two cars ago). My previous car did not have GPS and was a 2-door hatch so carrying around several 2' x 2' x 2' boxes was almost impossible. My requirements for the replacement car to my 10-year old vehicle was that it had to have GPS and a 4-door would be preferred. That left me with options of things like the mid-size cars from Mazda, Toyota, Honda, etc. Comparing the numbers between a gas-powered car and its Hybrid counterpart is just not fair. I went with the Civic because it still looks like the normal Civic AND is a Hybrid AND has GPS. I did not want an Automatic but I had no option (I've always had a manual tranny car) but am completely impressed and wow'ed with the CVT in the Honda so am pleasantly surprised that I did not turn away from the car simply because it was an Automatic. Sure I might not like the design of the Prius but any Hybrid is better than none so I try and wave at any Prius or Vue or Highlander hybrid since we are more alike than not. Good luck with your choice. Others in CA get to use the carpool lane with their Hybrid - if this interests you then consider it into your calculations.

 

I bought mine last spring because of the phenomenal mileage and because I knew it would be better for the environment than the Accord which my family typically favors. It was also going to be a statement car since people here tend to drive huge gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs. Within a month of buying it, I was wishing that I had bought the EX instead. Besides having more power (which I was used to), the EX's back seats fold down allowing for better cargo storage.

Almost a year later, I absolute love my hyb, which I drive with immense pride. I would buy it again in a heartbeat but wouldn't dream of buying the EX. I no longer drive like a maniac but now notice that just about everyone else in this town does when it comes to freeway driving. My heart doesn't jump any more when I see a cop because I typically drive at or slightly over the limit. The cargo issue is still there but affects me rarely (not to mention I have a buddy with a pickup truck). Yesterday, we bought an office chair, which went into the Mini Cooper pretty easily but would have been difficult to fit in the hybrid. I never imagined that the Mini would become our cargo vehicle...

 

When I was researching for this car I knew the HCH did not have a fold-down rear seat but could count on one hand how many times I used that feature in the previous 5 years of owning a previous Accord (Xmas tree, pick-up dek hockey game, and something else once or twice). That was not really an issue for me though so I too am pleased to drive the car everyday.