Harry,
I have experience the exact same experience as Alex did. I too bought a
2004 Civic Hybrids with a little buyer remorse. I gave up the latest
Hybrids technology, some safety feature IE: HID lights, GPS, Air curtain
(Air bags), roomier full size sedan. But I saved over $6000 for the top of
the line Prius I wanted. I would not complaint about the modest Civic
Hybrids. It still cost a little over $21,000 tax + License out the door.

I only paid $50 over invoice due to more inventory was available in Seattle,
Washington. Since I commute more than 60 miles per day. I love me Hybrids
MPG over 42 mpg. But I exceed the speed limits everyday upto 80 mph at
times. So I can not complaint too much about the low 42 PMG I get on a daily
basis.

I do have to say, 04/ Prius gets a lot of looking eyes on the road. I
personally would have bought the 04/Prius if it was available around X-Mas.
But I'm glad I saved over $6000 vs Honda Civic Hybrids.

Good Luck on making your decision. I really don't think you can go wrong
with a Toyota or Honda Hybrids. Make sure you buy new to capture the tax
benefits.

Regards,
Jonathan

Current cars own
90 BMW 325 IC convertible
99 Honda Odyssey EX

Previous cars owned from 1989 on..
90 Toyota Camry DX
96 Chrysler LHS
92 Civic DX sedan
89 Civic hatchback (DX)
89 Civic Hatchback (Si)




"Alex M. Stein" <alexmstein@eartnospamhlink.net> wrote in message
news:GabUb.13046$uM2.7721@newsread1.news.pas.earth link.net...
> We bought a Civic Hybrid about 6 weeks ago and completely love it.
>
> We get 50+ mpg on the highway and around 40-45 mpg city (automatic with
> CVT).
>
> We drove both the Prius and the Civic Hybrid before we bought the Civic.
> They are fairly comparable in terms of power. Both cars have substantial
> warranties on everything that touches the batteries and engine systems.
The
> Prius is totally tricked out and has lots of high-tech looking
> instrumentation (and a goony display showing whether you're using battery,
> gas, or a mixture). The 2004 Prius has been completely redesigned outside
> and in. My wife hated the body style compared to the 2003 Prius -- she
said
> it looked like someone squashed a Volkswagon.
>
> You probably already know that the Prius is battery only at very low
speeds,
> then the gas engine is mixed in. The Civic is the opposite -- gas only
when
> you start with battery assist. This translates into significantly better
> mileage in heavy stop-and-go traffic (I think the Prius is rated at 55
city
> compared to the Civic which is rated at 47).
>
> The Prius seems to have an edge in the technology (and looks different
from
> any other Toyota)... whereas the Civic Hybrid looks like a Civic.
>
> We ultimately went with the Civic for economic reasons. For some reason,
> the Prius is considered an extremely hot car and there's lots of demand
for
> it. In Southern California, there's so much demand, that you have to wait
3
> months to get one. (And because of that demand, there's no price
> flexibility). WIth the Civic Hybrid, dealers had the cars in stock and
> available immediately. Also, because there are more Civic Hybrids
available
> (and not as much demand), there was a lot of flexibility with the Civic
> Hybrid. (There also are NO factory options for the Civic Hybrid --
> everything's standard so you don't have to argue and haggle about
expensive
> options you might not want. The Prius has a couple of expensive
options --
> including a GPS display that spikes the price up considerably -- and
dealers
> are making a lot of money selling these cars.)
>
> The bottom line is that we could got the Civic Hybrid for almost $5,000
less
> and got it immediately.
>
> Alex
>
>
> "Harry Everhart" <harry@everhart.com> wrote in message
> news:harry-2AE7C8.12304204022004@news.verizon.net...
> > I have always loved Civics. I am also reading about the hybrid
> > technology in the Prius.
> >
> > Does anyone on here have the Civic Hybrid that they can give a report on
> > it?
> >
> > I am not interested in that other Honda Hybrid - impractical for me.
> >
> > I am going to decide between the Civic Hybrid and the Prius.
> >
> > Harry
>
>