Which Hybrid is better: Toyota Prius or Honda Civic hybrid?

I know for a fact that, for example a civic, it does not even have a filter for the transmission. I think that is the same for Accord as well. The transmission craps out. It is flimsy and piece of junk. The body skin is so thin that if you leaned upon it, it makes a dent on the body.

You driven a Honda for 27 years? It is hard to believe? what is your mileage now? Thanks.

 

I'm not aware that any manual transmission in this household (a Ford, two Hondas, an Acura, and a Subaru) that ever had a filter. Over 850,000 miles among them (two still present and going strong), none ever had a transmission failure or clutch replacement. Not even that Ford, which was otherwise a lemon compared to the rest.

I drove it only 23 years, then unloaded it when getting my first Prius. 235k miles, low for its age because it wasn't an only vehicle. I did see it again this summer, three years after selling it. It appeared to still be running well, though the young interns had added some road rash.

 

I don't think any manual transmission has a filter. I don't think the HSD tranny does either. The gears are just sitting in an oil bath, like the differential, in most cases. In a traditional step automatic, the fluid is also a hydraulic fluid in addition to being a lubricant. So the fluid is pumped up to pressure, and sees more abuse than the fluid in a manual.

Honda automatics are their own design that they developed years ago to circumvent other companies' patents. It is possible it doesn't have a filter. Most of what the filter, for the transmission and engine, removes is particles of oil broken down by heat. If the fluid never gets that hot, then there should be very little for a filter to catch. The HHR has a filter, but the fluid is also supposed to be good for life. Even under the severe maintenance schedule, the change interval is 100k miles. How necessary is a filter on a modern transmission then?

Back to the OP, the Prius is a better all around car. However, if there is something about a car that a person can't overlook, that would make driving it a chore, then it doesn't matter how good it is on paper.

 

So let me get this straight ... They are projecting what the resale value will be? They can project anything they want, it's what it really will be after 36/60 months. A lot can happen in that time frame. Now if they told me the winners in each category for 36/60 month old cars, that would mean a lot more to me.

 

NY Times:

Toyota and Lexus Are Tops in Kelley Blue Book Resale Value Survey - NYTimes.com

 

I agree, many things impact resale value. If gas prices spike upwards a Prius can jump up in value. If the economy takes a dump Luxury car values can decline. If your spoecific car was in a major accident that has an impact. Sometimes the color of a car or the city it is located can add or take away value. Too many variables to write about. Excellent Point and Thank you.

 

Any advice on getting better mileage techniques for a Acura ILX hybrid Same guts as a Honda civic hybrid.

 

Don't race around in it like it was an Acura?

I'm pretty sure the generic advice and hypermiling techniques will work for it. Specific advice can likely be found on a Honda hybrid specific site, or fuel economy site, like cleanmpg.com, that attracts the owners of many models.

 

Thanks ! She just got the car and only got 34 MPG the first day (38/39 Rated). So I said it may take a few full up's and allow the car to break in and that she should read some info on Extending the MPG and practice the techniques. Since I drive a Prius I have a good youtube video however I did not know if the same techniques worked with the Prius works for the Acura ILX Hybrid. Looks like it is universal among all Hybrids. I will send it to her.

 

The 2013 CE Plug-in Prius is definitely first choice at 89 mpg.

 

Just in general the PIP has such a short range 10-12 miles on electric I wonder if it makes sense in my 40 Mile round trip daily commute. 12 miles is about 60 cents worth of fuel according to my Prius Gen 3 information when I power down based on current price I paid for fuel. I'm sure soon the PIP will come with a stronger battery and greater range in future releases. I guess I can try and charge a few times a day but who wants to be beholden to finding electric all day long. The PIP sweet advantage is the Diamond Lane and Tax Credit. I did manage to negociate a discount off sticker that was very close to the Tax incentive so it was close to a wash there. Car Pool lane is a nice benefit though. The PIP when you factor in the MPG it is impressive. My greatest savings was migration from a gas gusler to a Prius, but migrating from a Hybrid Prius to a PIP Prius there is a savings but not as dramatic.

 

Wasn't the first Insight out before Prius?

My opinion: in the hands of a hypermiler the Civic Hybrid can deliver better mileage on the highway. That said, in everyday situations, city driving, the Prius will do better, up to 20% bettery, easily. The strong battery and ability to run electric-only for extended distance puts it ahead of the Civic.

I'd agree with reliability issues: Honda's reputation is taking a beating over the Civic Hybrid. And their reaction to problems is not helping.

 

Is the Civic battery problems behind them now if you purchase a new vehicle 2013.

 

Difficult to say. As far as I know sales figures are very low. Not really lack of demand I think, their production numbers are very low.

(Just noticed the Freudian "bettery" in my previous post, lol)

 

New HCH has a new lithium battery so the answer is nobody knows. Apparently it's not as hypermiler friendly either, with the way it runs the engine. Kind of like Gen 2 to Gen 3 Prius.

With the CR-Z going lithium as well, that just leaves the Fit hybrid and Insight using Honda's NiMH battery.

 

With IMA best mileage is achieved when you avoid motor assist. IMA uses the presence of motor assist to downsize and do acrobatics with the engine cycles to improve efficiency.

So, the usual hypermiling rules work, but P&G is more limited due to the need to avoid assist.

 

Thank You

 

Can you fill out this survey.
Prius Ownership Survey | PriusChat

 

Interesting that Toyota s looking at wireless charging. In the smartphone circle they to are racing toward wireless charging of cell phones. When you read this press release you get the sense hybrids and EV technology is progressing rapidly.

L.A. Auto Show: Toyota focuses on batteries, wireless charging | Auto news | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

 

Prius liftback sales for '12 as of Nov, 135,000 units in US.
Honda Civic Hybrid - 6,600

I'm kinda thinkin the Prius is a better car