Honda Accord Hybrid

March 31, 2005 2:02 PM

Is anyone out there driving the new Honda Accord Hybrid? If so, how do you like it? Is there a monster waiting list? I'm impressed by the design and the 39 MPG, which seems very high in these days of 15 MPG rollover prone SUVs...
posted by jgballard to travel & transportation (10 comments total)

The standard V6 Accord is 30 MPG (Highway), which would be a better vehicle to compare it to.
posted by smackfu at 3:09 PM on March 31, 2005

In the research I've done, I've found that the improved gas mileage of hybrids is far, far outpaced by the increased purchase price.

I also found that there are a handful of petro cars that get fuel economies approaching -- and sometimes surpassing -- that of the hybrids.

In other words, it is extremly unlikely that a hybrid car will save you money over the long term.

However, the Honda Accord hybrid does have a day-glo orange plastic cover over its electrical system with a warning that states that touching it will kill you outright. That's worth a few bucks right there.

One does not often find a warning that is flat-out honest; they usually use weasel-words like "may cause" or "injury or death." Not this one: it will cause death, and no two ways about it. Very cool.
posted by five fresh fish at 3:55 PM on March 31, 2005

pics (images.google)
posted by foraneagle2 at 4:48 PM on March 31, 2005

Don't forget the 260 hp, at 39 mpg. Not bad.
posted by caddis at 5:44 PM on March 31, 2005

In the research I've done, I've found that the improved gas mileage of hybrids is far, far outpaced by the increased purchase price.

While I can see your point, there is a savings in fuel costs which increases dramatically with number of miles you drive and the comparative MPG of the average vehicle. Plus there is still a $2000 tax break if you act quick before the Bush administration kills it.

Additionally the catalytic convertors and emission controls of the transmission result in a 50-85% reduction in tailpipe emissions. When the average car creates 13,500 pounds of carbon dioxide in a year, the savings are noteworthy.

But don't forget that both Toyota and Honda, both make some nasty-ass cars as far as the environment is concerned. So in the end it's whatever makes you feel better.
posted by jeremias at 6:39 PM on March 31, 2005

This month's issue of Wired covers the current state of the Hybrid market in two articles.

The first focuses mainly on the Toyota Prius. It can get 60 mpg, so if you want straight-up killer mileage, you want one of those. As for popularity, I just spent four days in San Francisco, and the things are bloody EVERYWHERE. I literally could not drive two blocks without seeing at least one parked on the street.

The second gives short reviews of all the current Hybrid models, making for easy comparisons.
posted by autojack at 8:25 PM on March 31, 2005

Remember, the $2000 "tax break" isn't $2000 in your pocket, it's a $2000 tax DEDUCTION.

I own a Civic Hybrid and love it like a child. It's not really about saving money on gas for me though, it's about contributing less to air pollution. Also it's a really cool gadget.

The Civic Hybrid comes with many things standard that only the higher end Civic has, like ABS, etc. So it might not be fair to compare the price of an Accord Hybrid to that of the cheap-trim Accord, but I haven't checked it out.

This may help (if you haven't already found it googling):
posted by nomad at 8:46 PM on March 31, 2005

Prius is awesome. If I wanted a Honda, I'd buy a bike...oh wait, already got one of those. We enjoyed an extended test (weekend) of a Prius where we drove some distance and some mountains (Wales). No problems at all.

I find the Prius the superior vehicle for one specific reason: Stealth Mode. You can tell the car to not start the gas engine, and it will stay in electric only mode. Being quiet can be an advantage. And its really COOL how people look twice when they realize you're running silent! Hondas don't do that.

The Only Reason we never had a Prius to call our own was because they couldn't deliver one, in the UK, in time to make sense. When we moved to South Africa, no Prius available here (no surprise).

We are slanted heavily in favor of Toyota. We love gadgets. We like saving gas but aren't fanatics and don't pay for it ourselves anyway (how stupid is that?). We find the Prius just totally slick. As I've told a number of asshats with loud mufflers: Being loud can give you a reputation, but being quiet can save your life.
posted by Goofyy at 5:22 AM on April 1, 2005

When you use the a/c or defroster on a hybrid, you're only getting about 20mpg.
posted by stavrogin at 7:16 AM on April 1, 2005

Remember, the $2000 "tax break" isn't $2000 in your pocket, it's a $2000 tax DEDUCTION.

What, you're not paying a 100% marginal tax rate? Slacker.

Today's gloom and doom about oil prices could impact the comparitive savings. I wonder what the price per gallon needs to be before the cost increase from Accord to Accord Hybrid is a break-even?
posted by phearlez at 9:04 AM on April 1, 2005