In search of a good little car - Page 2 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

flyboy · 10-28-2003, 05:21 PM

For hybrids, you'd probably be looking at a Toyota Prius. Engines are alright for daily driving, especially when taking off from a stop. The car produces so much torque from the electric engine that traction control has to be fitted standard.

Averett · 10-28-2003, 05:32 PM

Have you looked at the Civic hybrid?

I have a regular run of the mill Civic and I love it. It's a great car. My 4 door is very roomy... plenty of room for a guy Hal's size.

magnum · 10-28-2003, 08:55 PM

Nissan 240sx?

CheeseIsGood · 10-29-2003, 11:27 PM

Volvo S40/S60.

Peryn · 10-30-2003, 12:48 PM

I would get the Prius rather than teh Civic hybrid. Many people with the civic hybrid aren't getting anywhere near as good of gas mileage as claimed. Many prius owners are getting better than claimed.

As for power, the Prius basically uses the engine from the Echo for its gas usage. This gives good mileage, and is very environmentally freindly. The electric engine on it is impressive though, putting out 295 lb/ft of torque from 0 - 1200 rpm. Then the gas takes over i believe... That leads to very quick times off the line, but it really isn't all that fast. the new model claims 10 second 0-60 times. Nothing great, but could be worse. The 1.5l engine makes 76hp and 82 lb/ft of torque. CVT transmission is very cool, and helps gas mileage as well. Weighs in at 2900 lbs.

As for maintenanve, toyota is pretty good on their Prius warranties. 36k bumer-to-bumper, 60k extended powertrain, 100k on Hybrid-related stuff (batteries, motor, etc.), 5yr corrosion warranty, 36k miles free roadside assistance, and free maintenance from the dealer for the first 5 visits or 37.5k miles.

Honda Civic Hybrid :

0-60 in 11.6 seconds with CVT, compared the the 9.4 seconds from the base model EX.
has a 1.3L engine, making 93 HP. Makes 116 lb/ft torque at 1500 rpm, so i am assuming this is the electric motor since no honda makes max torque that low on engine alone.

Looks like it weighs in at around 2500lbs, but im not positive.

Manufacturers Warranty looks like total crap. From what i see it has 36k bumper-to-bumper, no extended powertrain, 5yr corrosion warranty, no roadside assistance and no maintanance at all.

That info was from www.consumerguide.com . I have found them to be a good, and pretty acurate source of car information. From the looks of it the Toyota Prius seems to be by far the best bet. Better performance, gas mileage (from first-hand stories i've heard), price is about the same, and Toyota offers a much nicer warranty. Also, i think the prius has been around longer than the civic hybrid.

shakran · 10-30-2003, 06:10 PM

hybrids are slow.

Have fun replacing the batteries when they die. What you'll spend for that will more than make up for what you save in gas.

Besides if you're really into high fuel economy due to cost rather than being an environmental nut, you should look at a 1988-1991 Honda CRX HF. 45-50mpg without the fancy (and expensive) technology, and you can buy one for under 2 grand

If you want a car that can get out of it's own way, keep lookin' at the Tegs

(edit) there's a significant difference between mph and mpg. Amazing how that changed the meaning of my post

10-28-2003, 05:32 PM	#42 (permalink)
Averett Is In Love Location: I'm workin' on it	Have you looked at the Civic hybrid? I have a regular run of the mill Civic and I love it. It's a great car. My 4 door is very roomy... plenty of room for a guy Hal's size. __________________ Absence is to love what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.

10-30-2003, 12:48 PM	#45 (permalink)
Peryn Junkie Location: San Diego, CA.	I would get the Prius rather than teh Civic hybrid. Many people with the civic hybrid aren't getting anywhere near as good of gas mileage as claimed. Many prius owners are getting better than claimed. As for power, the Prius basically uses the engine from the Echo for its gas usage. This gives good mileage, and is very environmentally freindly. The electric engine on it is impressive though, putting out 295 lb/ft of torque from 0 - 1200 rpm. Then the gas takes over i believe... That leads to very quick times off the line, but it really isn't all that fast. the new model claims 10 second 0-60 times. Nothing great, but could be worse. The 1.5l engine makes 76hp and 82 lb/ft of torque. CVT transmission is very cool, and helps gas mileage as well. Weighs in at 2900 lbs. As for maintenanve, toyota is pretty good on their Prius warranties. 36k bumer-to-bumper, 60k extended powertrain, 100k on Hybrid-related stuff (batteries, motor, etc.), 5yr corrosion warranty, 36k miles free roadside assistance, and free maintenance from the dealer for the first 5 visits or 37.5k miles. Honda Civic Hybrid : 0-60 in 11.6 seconds with CVT, compared the the 9.4 seconds from the base model EX. has a 1.3L engine, making 93 HP. Makes 116 lb/ft torque at 1500 rpm, so i am assuming this is the electric motor since no honda makes max torque that low on engine alone. Looks like it weighs in at around 2500lbs, but im not positive. Manufacturers Warranty looks like total crap. From what i see it has 36k bumper-to-bumper, no extended powertrain, 5yr corrosion warranty, no roadside assistance and no maintanance at all. That info was from www.consumerguide.com . I have found them to be a good, and pretty acurate source of car information. From the looks of it the Toyota Prius seems to be by far the best bet. Better performance, gas mileage (from first-hand stories i've heard), price is about the same, and Toyota offers a much nicer warranty. Also, i think the prius has been around longer than the civic hybrid. __________________ Dont cry kid, It's not your fault you suck.

10-28-2003, 05:21 PM	#41 (permalink)
flyboy Upright Location: Australia	For hybrids, you'd probably be looking at a Toyota Prius. Engines are alright for daily driving, especially when taking off from a stop. The car produces so much torque from the electric engine that traction control has to be fitted standard.

10-28-2003, 08:55 PM	#43 (permalink)
magnum Upright	Nissan 240sx?

10-29-2003, 11:27 PM	#44 (permalink)
CheeseIsGood Upright	Volvo S40/S60.

10-30-2003, 06:10 PM	#46 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	hybrids are slow. Have fun replacing the batteries when they die. What you'll spend for that will more than make up for what you save in gas. Besides if you're really into high fuel economy due to cost rather than being an environmental nut, you should look at a 1988-1991 Honda CRX HF. 45-50mpg without the fancy (and expensive) technology, and you can buy one for under 2 grand If you want a car that can get out of it's own way, keep lookin' at the Tegs (edit) there's a significant difference between mph and mpg. Amazing how that changed the meaning of my post