Overview:
This week I drove the 2004 Honda Civic 4-door sedan Hybrid. With gas going “artificially” up over $2.00 at this writing, car-buying attitudes will surely begin to change. The writing is on the wall and once again the oil companies are distracting us while they separate us from our wallets. Those kinds of people used to be called “Pick Pockets”, but today they are anything but common thieves. This is high finance rip off.
Some say don’t buy Exxon or Mobil gas until there is a downward pressure on prices.
The next time someone tells you we need to stop drilling oil somewhere because it will displace spotted owls, one eyed woodpeckers or raccoons who would have to move their home a couple of miles away, pour some water on them to wake them. If people were so environmentally concerned, they wouldn’t buy gas guzzling SUV’s and more Hybrids.
Prior to 1973, Honda was a company known more for its motorcycles than for its cars, which were tiny two-cylinder 600cc runabouts.
My first experience with Honda was riding a Honda Motorcycle in the late 1960’s. Then I became acquainted with early Honda’s when “Pop” (father-in-law) bought one of the early Civics’ (see vintage Honda pictured above) way back then and that little cracker box reminded me of the Fiat 850 (also pictured above) that is so popular in Europe and specifically Poland. With the price of gas over $4 bucks a gallon there economy takes on a whole ‘nuther meaning.
Handling & Performance:
Well of course transportation cars like the Civic serve the purpose just fine with relative comfort and enough speed for anything but drag racing or burning rubber during jackrabbit starts. That is especially true of this Civic Hybrid that sports a 1.3 liter 93 horsepower 4-cylinder engine. That is enough for some, and never enough for others. The normal Civic is powered by a 1.7 liter 4 cylinder 127 hp engine, which isn’t all that much more power, but the performance is close enough considering the fuel economy.
Hybrids are proof of the genius car companies can provide consumers when they want to invest in the future. I suspect they know more than we and are getting in position for the anticipated depletion of oil in the world.
Styling:
Clean lines like most of the competition and essentially the same as the conventionally powered Civic.
Fit and Finish:
The Japanese consistently put out well-assembled cars.
Conveniences:
The same as in the standard Civic. In fact it’s not obvious you are in a Hybrid if it weren’t for the different gauges.
Cost:
How can cars be more affordable? Finally the Hybrids are gaining in popularity and they cost precious little more than conventional gas powered models. And you can’t appreciate the car until you realize you don’t need to stop gasoline as often. A friend says they drive from LA to San Francisco and half way back on one tank of gas in their Prius. Now that’s my kind of car. This Civic Hybrid isn’t far behind.
But when you consider the cost of these hybrids it is important to consider Honda and Toyota are subsidizing the cost of this new technology. Surely they couldn’t sell them for that price considering all the development costs. And that gives rise to a more important issue. How well will the new battery assist and regeneration equipment hold up over time? They don’t talk about it and we won’t really know for several years. I encourage a little risk taking, however, because the product needs a boost to encourage greater production of Hybrids that will bring the prices down even further.
Consumer Recommendation:
I still can’t convince my kids to be more practical when buying a car. This generation has only known good times and has no clue of “Saving for a Rainy Day”. Their mother and I opted to take a chance in the early 1960’s when Japanese cars were first sold in the US. Yes, I was in college and we were cost of living conscious. We had to wrestle with the fear of whether parts would be available with so few dealerships. The danger or inconvenience of being stranded was very real.
If you want to drive an economical car you have to consider this Hybrid even in consideration of the risks. Their first attempt was the Insight, which is only a 2-seater. This Civic Hybrid is almost indistinguishable from a gas engine powered Civic. However, although I like the design better than the Toyota Prius, you need to drive both. I encourage you to discuss the propulsion systems of both with dealers and pay particular attention to what maintenance issues they anticipate. If they offer an extended warranty and if affordable it would be a wise choice to buy it.
The Competition:
Honda Civic $13-20,000, Toyota Prius $20,000, Honda Insight $19-21,000, but the Insight is only a two seater.
Good News:
Outstanding fuel economy, fun to drive, Honda quality and good pricing and it only needs an 11 gallon fuel tank.
Bad News:
We won’t know how well the new technology will hold up over time.
Standard Equipment:
1.3 liter 85 hp 4-cylinder engine with integrated motor assist, CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), front disc rear drum ABS brakes, electric power assist steering, 110,000 mile tune up, dual front and side air bags, child anchors, anti theft system with remote keyless entry, climate control, stereo with CD and anti theft feature, center console, cruise control, power windows and locks and power mirrors.
Gas Stats:
47 City and 48 Highway MPG.
Pricing:
MSRP $13-20,000.
Your comments are welcomed. My e-mail is joe@atthewheel.com
