Two hybrid Family

Congratulations with the Civic. With the Pilot sitting in the garage not being used, any plans on selling it?

 

we'll be on the same boat. i cant wait until my civic hybrid arrives... in july. we wanted another prius but the wait is too long and the APR is too high...

 

Just picked up a 2008 Honda Hybrid today, the wife was impressed in the handling of the car, so traded in my beloved Mercury Marquis LS and came home in the Honda. So we're gonna have some fun now, me in the PRIUS and her in HONDA. I can't wait to see what kind of mileage the HONDA is going to give compared to the PRIUS. I'll keep everyone posted on the camparison.

 

Unlike the Prius, the HCH-II can be a bit more challenging at first for some drivers, at least in terms of reading and utilizing the hybrid specific instrumentation. If you do not mind the extra challenge from your wife, you may have her read the HCH-II bible:

Adapting Basic Hypermiling Techniques to the HCH-II

My wife read it and seemingly overnight she improved her mileag by 30-50%.

If she does read it, then be ready to work hard... and let the best person win

Cheers;

MSantos

 

Can you tell me what MPG you are getting. How much (in percentage) you are saving?
Thanks!

 

awesome!

 

According to me, Civic is the best. Riding is real fun.

 

We are an Insight/Prius II family now. Price was a major factor for my wife buying an Insight. Cheaper than the Civic H or Prius. And she prefers a Honda, having been a Civic driver. Also preferred the hatchback design and a smaller car. They had a used Civic hybrid for less money she would have considered, but it had sold. She also liked the Fit, but they didn't have manual shift she wanted, and my feeling was the resale value of any hybrid would be better in 5 years. Environment was also a factor for her wanting a hybrid.

 

I finally got to drive my wife's Insight, and here are some observations vs my 08 Prius II:

The Prius is about 2" higher, which makes it bigger inside. Also, the driver sits higher in the Prius, for better frontal visibility. Rear visibility about the same--with the same split window. The cars look about the same length and width next to each other. But the height is the real difference. The Insight has a lower, sleeker look, but this chops off some interior ceiling height--especially in the back. The base car comes with plastic hubcaps vs alloys standard on my Prius. Checking tire pressures on the Insight, I lost a valve cap behind a hubcap, and couldn't find it. A nuisance.

The Insight is sportier, lower sportseats, handles better, harder suspension. The Prius drives like a bigger car--more knee room, softer suspension. Maybe quieter?, though the Insight is pretty quiet as well. The Insight dash is more conventional, with tach (what for?) and auto gearbox in center console.My wife likes the dash better than the Prius. The eco mode is like the Prius III, and is useful to maximize mileage. The CVT tranny is like the Prius CVT. Pickup is about the same for each--in the eco mode. My Prius has a lot of convenient functions on the steering wheel--only available as an option on the Insight. The traction control is also an option on the Insight (a cheap option on the Prius, with VSC). For $1500 extra, you get traction, alloys, better radio/speakers and functions on the steering wheel--probably worth it. But that pushes the price closer to Prius. The Prius also has the rear camera and magic-key for $300 option 2, with VSC). The Insight only the keyless entry-standard.

I prefer my Prius--it's bigger inside, has a better ride, and the dash is clean and uncluttered--very avant-garde. Gas mileage might be a bit better in my Prius-- 45-50 vs 40-45? for the Insight. It's too early to say.

The Insight costs $5K less than my Prius did. If I had the choice today, I would pick the Insight on the basis of price. I also like its sportiness and handling. And the eco mode. Both cars have adequate size for our purposes, and the preferred 5 dr hatchback design. I haven't driven the Prius III, which may handle more like the Insight. If the Insight can be priced around $18K or so, as it was in February, it will take a good chunk of the hybrid market. Nice car.

 

Now a two-hybrid family as well: 2010 Prius Model III and 2010 HCH II. Wife has the long commute, drives the HCH II. Love the MPGs, lower insurance premium and the versatility offered by the sedan and the hatchback.

Traded 2007 Hyundai Azera for the HCH II; replaced 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport with the Prius 3G. Still can't figure out why we didn't make the switch sooner!

 

My wifes gas was killing us also now we are a 2 hybrid family. No more gas problems