Which car would you pick?

[NutBucket]

Yes, Diesel from TRUCKS & BUSES. Now, if you do a little research there are plenty of clean diesel cars sold abroad, BMW, Jaguar, Ford, Honda, Toyota, etc. The problem is the perception of the average American is that they are dirty because of trucks and buses.

 

[TheTurk]

Originally posted by: wasamicron
I need to purchase a new car asap to commute 60 miles round trip to work and back. I am looking for great mileage and a nice ride. So far, I'm considering:
1.Civic Hybrid
2.Toyota Prius
3.VW Jetta diesel
4.Ford Escape Hybrid

I just got 2006 Civic hybrid. It runs great and looks great. Just like regular car with 50MPG. Go fo it..

 

[dug777]

You like the civic hybrid?

 

[mwtgg]

I'd go for the Jetta Diesel.

 

[desy]

Just watched a show this past weekend where they went on a city/highway trip 6 cars in a row.
The Jetta deisel was almost as good as the Prious which they said because of the small displacement Prious would have won even if it wasn't a hybrid, next was the Jetta then the Escape Hybrid and finally the Accord hybrid threw in a Escape 4 cycl gas and a regular 4 cyl Accord
The Accords got way below their estimated MPG in either format.
For a new car I'd get the Jetta esp for highway driving, hybrids shine in stop and go.
I know you got the Honda, it will be a good car we will see what happens in 5 yrs when you need the batteries changed out what the damage is going to be then, that would be the reason I wouldn't get a hybrid right now.
I was checking used used Jetta prices and they are INSANE for a car that is supposed to have poor reliablity ratings. . . . OH well get a brand new Yaris for the same price as a 5 yr old Jetta diesel, we have them here in Canada somebody in the building here drives one
Vid cap of the episode

 

[JeepinEd]

I own a 2001 Prius and commute 140 miles a day.
I have found that Hybrids are great if your commute is longer than 15 miles.
People who commute less than that will probably not see much of a saving, as it takes the hybrid system a while to warm up. (I have only test driven the new Prius, so this may have changed.) While the hybrid system is warming up, the engine actually revs higher than normal and stealth mode (battery only driving) is not available.
Reliabiltiy has been great. I have about 150K miles on mine and it feels as good as new. Because of the of regenerative braking, I still have about 50% left on my ORIGINAL brake pads. The batteries are still in good condition.
My average fuel consumption over the past 10K miles is 47.8 MPG. It goes down during winter, as the batteries are not as efficient in cold weather.

I would say don't buy a Hybrid if you just want to save money, as the additional cost of the hybrid system will take years to offset. I purchased mine because I thought the technology is cool. - Not all hybrid owners are nutcase left wing treehuggers. My other vehicle is a lifted & locked Jeep that I take off road and gets a cool 13MPG average.

Since you already purchased the Hondy, this is all moot. Just enjoy it. If you live in CA you can use the HOV lane with no passengers. (That's a big bonus for me!).


Ed

 

[whistleclient]

wasamicron--

make sure you post how you like the car is when you get it in 3 weeks!

 

[TheTurk]

I see now, you only get around 45mpg from Civic Hybrid. 50mpg is nonsense.