I test drove the Accord Hybrid today.

With gas going up as quickly as it is, I decided to give it a go.

It's not an Acura, but it's the closest thing to it, that gets mileage too.

Car has 255HP. It does 37mpg on the highway.

Driving experience was like most Accords. OK, not great. The steering was the only real negative to me. No real feedback.

Cool things to look for...

Can't hear ignition....extremely quiet. You feel the car turn over, but that is it.

Auto-shut down at Red Light, stop signs, etc. Very cool too. As soon as you remove your foot from the brake, it's immediately ready to go. NO DELAY!!!

At cruising speeds, there's a meter showing that three cylinder's have shut down as well. Very sweet car!

Negatives to me...

Looks...Not a TL, period.
Steering...my 94' Accord had better feedback
Price - $30,000+, and they are sticking to the price.

Other positives...
8 year warranty on Hybrid tech.
Tax incentives, and will get better.
Gas getting more expensive driving ROI sooner than later.

 

Sounds good to me

 

You will not get near the quoted city mileage and it's not much better than the TL on the highway! You will never break even taking everything into consideration. There really is no free lunch.

The technology is not yet ther to produce real savings from hybrids. Don't take my word for it, do the research. The only way to really save is to buy a small economy car or a bike.

All that said, if if makes you feel good, buy one.

 

So glad that I didn't jump on the hybrid tip. I'm probably just gonna get a bike at the beginning of next year.

 

If it had HIDs and pwr moonroof, I'd consider trading into one. Being 100% made in Japan and being what it is (high mpg hybrid), I think $30k is fair.

 

I've seen them on Ebay for around invoice, just over $27K BRAND NEW.

NEW Accord Hybrid on Ebay for $27,649, includes extended Hondacare warranty too!!!


If you are going to buy one wait until 2006 as the IRS is giving larger tax credits on hybrid vehicles. Currently, I think you only get a $500 DEDUCTION, which is not dollar for dollar. It only reduces you taxable income, whereas next year, the tax credit will reduce your actual tax due. MUCH BETTER!!!

Example (Note: I am not a CFP or anything ):

2005
Taxable income: $50,000
Tax deduction for hybrid car: $500
New Taxable Income: $49,500
Tax rate: 15%
Tax due: $7,425


2006
Taxable income: $50,000
Tax rate: 15%
Tax due: $7500
Tax credit for hybrid car: $1000
New Tax Due: $6,500

Saving $925 in taxes!

 

yes, sooner rather than later, .. but not yet.

 

I had read that the tax credits were being phased out. Thanks for the updated info. I'm going to look into more into the new tax benefits.

 

I've read the very same thing, that you DO NOT get near the quoted city mileage AND that a hybrids highway mileage is comparable to a regular car due to the fact the electric motor is not being used (though the engine shutting off 3 cylinders helps a little).

To save gas, get a motorcycle.

 

I read it was being phased out but apparently it's being re-introduced. I'd check www.v6p.net for reviews. There's a Hybrid section.

 

I have to disagree with your comments. This January we purchased both an Accord six speed and a hybrid, and although we have yet to obtain the posted mileage of the hybrid, it is noticably better than the six speed. The hybrid now has close to 10 000 km. and the six speed 6000 km. This is most noticable during city driving. Although we have yet to do a precise comparison, we can easily obtain an additional 50 km. from the hybrid. And although the six speed is more enjoyable to drive than the hybrid, the torque the hybrid makes is amazing. Around town it can easily keep up to the six speed. And more effortlessly as well.

Sitting in traffic with the gasoline off the car is amazingly quiet. Even with the secondary electrically powered air conditioning compressor on. It takes some getting use to with the electric motor starting the gasoline engine, but other than that it would hard to tell the car is a hybrid.

In my opinion its certainly worth the greater purchase price, and would certainly buy another. As fuel prices rise I think hybrids will certainly become more common.

Terry

 

^^^^ how much more was the hybrid than a comparable accord for you?

Of course you will get better mileage but the point is, at the current time, it will take a long time to recoup the premium you pay for a hybrid even with gas going up.

 

Hi 95gt

Absolutely. But if one intends to put high mileage on a vehicle it still seems to be a good way to go. Its a Honda! Expect both cars to exceed 200 000 km. That being said the hybrid was slightly over $38 000 Canadian, and the six speed was $32500 flat. I think at the time the hybrid was approx. $5000 greater that a comparably equipped EX-V6.

Terry

 

there is something non quantifiable about being able to pass a gas station when normally you would be out of gas and have to stop. hell I wish my car got better mileage.

As for the high mileage comment does anyone know what happens when the batteries need to be replaced? I have heard rumors and comments about the Prius and that after 100k the batteries will have to be replaced.

 

I should also mention that the hybrid had to be purchased at full retail, as it was the first to arrive in the province. As they become more available I expect one could obtain a better deal than I did.

Terry

 

Couldn't agree more. Gas up here is now over a $1.00/liter, and its great to hear all my friends complain about filling up their H2's or 5.4 Expeditions.

Don't know about the battery. Its factory warranted for eight years, but I imagine it will have to be replaced at some time. This is why the rear seat doesn't fold down, as the battery pack is directly behind it.

Terry

 

I saw a comparison between the EX and Hybrid accord. With the extra money spent on the base price will take a long time to see the savings from the mpg. When I read this I was shocked, If I can remember it was over 3 years to acutally see the savings.

 

This car is NOT an investment. It's a great car for the environment though.

 

The dealer around here quoted us around $27k out the door. Not bad at all. Add the tax benefits, it's actually more practical buying the hybrid over the EX-V6. The hybrid's hood is extremely light!! Oh man...you can close that thing with only 1 finger. The spare isn't there but in place of it, you get a can of fix-a-flat and an electric air pump. The drive was great!!! The Autostop function worked like it should but I felt a jerk whenever you press the gas pedal.

 

isnt starting and stopping a motor hell on it? I remember hearing a study that doing repeated hot starts on a motor can cause more wear then driving it hard.

 

I recall seeing an article of this nature between the Civic EX and Civic Hybrid in Popular Mechanics back in 2003. I'd like to see that article with Accord (ideally Accord K24A vs Accord V6 vs Accord Hybrid )


I think the benefits to the enviroment of having Accord Hybrids over Accord V6s is negligible at best. In general, car nowadays are largely environmentally friendly if not green. OBD makes certain of that. (IMHO, given the price of diesel being on par now with unleaded, I'd like to see more commercial uses for Hybrid technology: (i.e.: a Hybrid Kenworth T2000 or Alstom PL42AC )

That said, I do like the idea of Hybrid technology as an ultra efficient power adder (i.e. Accord Hybrid or RX400h), adding performance AND increasing fuel economy.