'06 HCH vs '06 Si

TommyD · 07-14-2006, 12:02 AM

I have a Si w/ Nav coming in next month, should be here early August. I'm now starting to contemplate going with the Hybrid Sedan. With the tax credit applied, the price is not much more than a regular Civic Sedan. Gas keeps going up and up and up and if it hits $4.00 a gallon in the states I would be kicking myself for not going with the Hybrid. I drive about 1000 miles a month on average so I'm just trying to reason this out. Price would be the same for either model (si w/ Nav or HCH) but I would get a tax credit with the HCH. THe thing is I don't know if I want to trade all that performance for mileage. I'm actually going back and forth with this now as I still have some time to ponder

Anyone got any opinions? Either car will be a DD and I'll be getting a weekend car on down the road in a year or two.

brooklynscat69 · 07-14-2006, 12:20 AM

The SI itself is pretty good in gas mileage. The looks are perfect and will turn heads. The hybrid wont turn as much heads, and the performance is worst. In the long run you save gas but IMO, go with the SI. You wont regret it.

06CivEXJon · 07-14-2006, 01:13 AM

If you get a hybrid get an intake for it atleast and rims, beause those ufo disk rims that come on the hybrid make it look like a spaceship!

brooklynscat69 · 07-14-2006, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 06CivEXJon

If you get a hybrid get an intake for it atleast and rims, beause those ufo disk rims that come on the hybrid make it look like a spaceship!

YES I AGREE. But i think they were put on for a reason. Heavier rims will result in poorer results.

06CivEXJon · 07-14-2006, 03:08 PM

Hahaha those ufo disk rims on the hybrid makes it look like its hovering! i sense back to the future soon!

K20Z3Si · 07-15-2006, 12:14 AM

Dosnt it save power from taking it from the brakes when you stop? I think thats why the wheels are like that.

**webby** · 07-15-2006, 01:32 AM

the wheels look like that for wind resistance/weight. They weigh less than standard rims, and they produce low wind drag = better mpg.

I guess my question to you is this. Is there a reason for pitting the sedan hybrid vs. the coupe SI? Are you really looking for a 2dr or a 4dr car? Or is the gas/performance the real issue. The SI will be a sedan in 07.

If gas is more the issue and you don't care about the 2dr/4dr comparison - I'd look at a non hybrid as well.

coupes rate at 30/40mpg - non SI
sedans rate at 30/40mpg
hybrid sedan rates at 49/51 about $20k - high 21k range with price deduction

when you can get an lx coupe for like 15k.

if you really like the 2dr looks - I'd consider the coupe. There were articles written stating that the hybrid really wasn't getting 49mpg in real world driving, and that it would take about 5yrs of driving roughly 15k miles a year to break the cost difference. They took into consideration oil changes/maintenence/gas savings etc.

Now if you pit it against the SI - you'd obviously come out ahead on gas with the hybrid. The non SI - you're not going to be getting a savings unless you drive an enormous amount of miles, or keep the car 5+ years. Just something to consider.

I guess it really comes down to:
how much you're willing to pay on gas
vs. how much you want the power of the si
vs. 2/4 drs.

jdm8thgen · 07-15-2006, 01:53 AM

I love hybrids. If I drove as much as u do. I'd do it. THINK closely. this new war in isreal is jacking gas even more. If u decide on it my choice would be white hybrid. comes with the nice blue/tan interior. Youre thinking responsibly. Oh plus u ge tx credit every year. Here in NC it's 2500 bux/yr credit. I no in states like NY/CA get more. Just think, the 1st yr ull be at price of a ex civic after credit and lx there after minus the money u save in gas. Just ask your dealer what your state gives in credit. I'd be curious to find out.

**webby** · 07-15-2006, 02:00 AM

"* The deduction was a one-time deal." - not yearly
the 06 civic - 2100 dollar credit on autos
1700 on manuals

These rules are relatively straight-forward. But there's more— and these are more foggy:

* The new tax credit sets a limit of 60,000 hybrids per carmaker. Toyota hit the 60,000 mark in June, 2006. (Honda and Ford are unlikely to reach 60,000 hybrids in 2006.) Buyers have until Sept. 30 to purchase one of the five gasoline-electric hybrid models sold by Toyota and Lexus to qualify for 100 percent of the credit. On Oct. 1, the credit amount listed above will be reduced by half.
* The credit for Toyota hybrids will stay at 50 percent for two quarters, fall to 25 percent in the subsequent two quarters, then expire on Oct. 1, 2007.
* The credit amount is based on the purchase date of the vehicle.
* The new law for the hybrid tax credit might require taxpayers to recapture their hybrid tax credit if they re-sell their hybrid car or truck.
http://www.hybridcars.com/tax-deductions-credits.html

peliROJO · 07-15-2006, 03:22 AM

Exactly, webby. Which is why I tell people to not factor in the tax credit when making this decision. If money is a factor in the decision then there are a lot of other variables to consider. Then, if looking at all those things and the Hybrid is the best car. Bam, you also might get a tax credit. It's like a bonus check for all your hard research work.

I've never seen anybody pit the Si against a hybrid. I can't wait to see TommyD's response to your first post.

**Gonzo** · 07-16-2006, 03:11 AM

If you would prefer having a hybrid if gas hits $4 a gallon then I would go ahead and get the hybrid, as much as I like the Si. I wouldn't be surprised if gas hits $5 a gallon in the not to distant future.

The Si's mileage is good, but it isn't close to the hybrid. Personally if I was getting a Civic I would still get the Si just because I love the car and want an enthusiast machine out of the box. If you want a new sporty daily driver, it is about the most economical choice out there.

But if you do alot of driving and don't want anything other than a hyrbid if gas reaches $4 (and sadly I think that is a reality we will face pretty soon) go for the hybrid.

If you are getting a weekend car in soon, I definitely would suggest getting a hybrid. If you ever really want to tear up the rubber you can take it for a spin while the hybrid will be saving you money all the way...

(ZOMG, over 300 posts

)

Civicaddict79 · 07-17-2006, 02:14 PM

I know someone that got a hybrid and is going to sell it. They hate it with a passion from a performance standpoint and they also weren't clear that the tax credit was a one-time thing. I guess it's a matter of how important the looks of the SI vs. Hybrid are to you since the SI is a sportier looking vehicle. Good luck man, I hate making decisions!

jc21 · 07-17-2006, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 06CivEXJon

If you get a hybrid get an intake for it atleast and rims, beause those ufo disk rims that come on the hybrid make it look like a spaceship!

If your buying a hybrid, your concerned with gas mileage, why buy a CAI? Don't intakes reduce mileage because more airflow = more gas to balance things out.

Anywhos. I looked into the hybrid and did some number crunching. I also knew that hybrids really tweak their MPG numbers even moreso then regular cars. Overall I went with the LX coupe. Gets great gas mileage with good h/p. Perfect balance between the hybrid and SI (if your not concerned about racing).

For me if I was super concerned about gas mileage I would buy a VW or some car with a TDI engine and switch it over to run on veggie oil. Get like 60mpg on free fuel.

CivicWithNav · 07-18-2006, 11:23 AM

guess what though... ANY Jetta/Golf TDI's are like $22k+

i dunno...if gas mileage is an issue i'd say gofor the regular coupe or sedan. you've heard all the Hybrids not getting the advertised MPG but my EX auto coupe has been getting 40+mpg, beter than advertised mileage

so there u go :)

peliROJO · 07-18-2006, 11:46 AM

I bet your math is faulty. ^ There you go! :)

peliROJO · 07-18-2006, 11:50 AM

The way I calculate mine is like this:

I purchased the car with a full tank. I write down the mileage and date. I run it out of gas. I fill up and write down the gallons I put in, the new mileage and the date. I run it out of gas and fill it up. Write down the gallons, the new mileage and the date. I repeat and repeat. I post all the information in www.fueleconomy.gov and here is what I get. Do you have anything similar?

Note: there are three gaps where I didn't follow procedure. You can tell where the line is longer than normal.

CivicWithNav · 07-18-2006, 01:38 PM

no i'm right...

I just live on extremely flat part of the state, where it allows me to get 40+mpg

jc21 · 07-19-2006, 03:34 AM

Just got back from a trip to Philly (live in upstate NY) 385 miles on the trip and I still got 4 bars left on my tank. I'll get over 40 for sure. And mine was an EPA of 38 on the highway!

BTW, you can get an older used VW golf TDI. Know a guy who bought one and is gettin 60mpg. Problem with those cars is the reliability issues. The money you spend in repairs probably balances out the gas money you save.

peliROJO · 07-19-2006, 10:54 AM

I have no idea how yall are getting such great gas mileage. My next two tanks look like this... 28.1 mpg and 25.1 mpg.

I'm #11 on the fueleconomy report. It's in order that you signed up with a total of 46 people now.

jc21 · 07-19-2006, 01:29 PM

Peli Rojo: Do you have an SI or non SI? Also do you have your a/c blasting the whole time? If you drive a MT where do you shift at? Do you hit vtec a lot?

Oh yea also during my trip I was driving at 71mph with the cruise on the whole way and had the a/c on for more then 3/4 of the trip.

07-14-2006, 12:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
TommyD Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,358 iTrader: 0 / 0%	'06 HCH vs '06 Si I have a Si w/ Nav coming in next month, should be here early August. I'm now starting to contemplate going with the Hybrid Sedan. With the tax credit applied, the price is not much more than a regular Civic Sedan. Gas keeps going up and up and up and if it hits $4.00 a gallon in the states I would be kicking myself for not going with the Hybrid. I drive about 1000 miles a month on average so I'm just trying to reason this out. Price would be the same for either model (si w/ Nav or HCH) but I would get a tax credit with the HCH. THe thing is I don't know if I want to trade all that performance for mileage. I'm actually going back and forth with this now as I still have some time to ponder Anyone got any opinions? Either car will be a DD and I'll be getting a weekend car on down the road in a year or two.

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07-14-2006, 12:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
brooklynscat69 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Brentwood, NY Posts: 1,876 iTrader: 1 / 100%	The SI itself is pretty good in gas mileage. The looks are perfect and will turn heads. The hybrid wont turn as much heads, and the performance is worst. In the long run you save gas but IMO, go with the SI. You wont regret it.

07-14-2006, 01:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
06CivEXJon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Monument/Colorado Springs Colorado Posts: 4,333 Jon iTrader: 0 / 0%	If you get a hybrid get an intake for it atleast and rims, beause those ufo disk rims that come on the hybrid make it look like a spaceship!

07-14-2006, 03:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
06CivEXJon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Monument/Colorado Springs Colorado Posts: 4,333 Jon iTrader: 0 / 0%	Hahaha those ufo disk rims on the hybrid makes it look like its hovering! i sense back to the future soon!

07-15-2006, 12:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
K20Z3Si Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IL Posts: 158 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Dosnt it save power from taking it from the brakes when you stop? I think thats why the wheels are like that.

07-15-2006, 01:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
webby Acorns! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Storage Room B Posts: 12,622 iTrader: 11 / 100%	the wheels look like that for wind resistance/weight. They weigh less than standard rims, and they produce low wind drag = better mpg. I guess my question to you is this. Is there a reason for pitting the sedan hybrid vs. the coupe SI? Are you really looking for a 2dr or a 4dr car? Or is the gas/performance the real issue. The SI will be a sedan in 07. If gas is more the issue and you don't care about the 2dr/4dr comparison - I'd look at a non hybrid as well. coupes rate at 30/40mpg - non SI sedans rate at 30/40mpg hybrid sedan rates at 49/51 about $20k - high 21k range with price deduction when you can get an lx coupe for like 15k. if you really like the 2dr looks - I'd consider the coupe. There were articles written stating that the hybrid really wasn't getting 49mpg in real world driving, and that it would take about 5yrs of driving roughly 15k miles a year to break the cost difference. They took into consideration oil changes/maintenence/gas savings etc. Now if you pit it against the SI - you'd obviously come out ahead on gas with the hybrid. The non SI - you're not going to be getting a savings unless you drive an enormous amount of miles, or keep the car 5+ years. Just something to consider. I guess it really comes down to: how much you're willing to pay on gas vs. how much you want the power of the si vs. 2/4 drs.

07-15-2006, 01:53 AM	#8 (permalink)
jdm8thgen Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Wilmington, nc Age: 28 Posts: 434 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I love hybrids. If I drove as much as u do. I'd do it. THINK closely. this new war in isreal is jacking gas even more. If u decide on it my choice would be white hybrid. comes with the nice blue/tan interior. Youre thinking responsibly. Oh plus u ge tx credit every year. Here in NC it's 2500 bux/yr credit. I no in states like NY/CA get more. Just think, the 1st yr ull be at price of a ex civic after credit and lx there after minus the money u save in gas. Just ask your dealer what your state gives in credit. I'd be curious to find out.

07-15-2006, 02:00 AM	#9 (permalink)
webby Acorns! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Storage Room B Posts: 12,622 iTrader: 11 / 100%	"* The deduction was a one-time deal." - not yearly the 06 civic - 2100 dollar credit on autos 1700 on manuals These rules are relatively straight-forward. But there's more— and these are more foggy: * The new tax credit sets a limit of 60,000 hybrids per carmaker. Toyota hit the 60,000 mark in June, 2006. (Honda and Ford are unlikely to reach 60,000 hybrids in 2006.) Buyers have until Sept. 30 to purchase one of the five gasoline-electric hybrid models sold by Toyota and Lexus to qualify for 100 percent of the credit. On Oct. 1, the credit amount listed above will be reduced by half. * The credit for Toyota hybrids will stay at 50 percent for two quarters, fall to 25 percent in the subsequent two quarters, then expire on Oct. 1, 2007. * The credit amount is based on the purchase date of the vehicle. * The new law for the hybrid tax credit might require taxpayers to recapture their hybrid tax credit if they re-sell their hybrid car or truck. http://www.hybridcars.com/tax-deductions-credits.html

07-15-2006, 03:22 AM	#10 (permalink)
peliROJO Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: currently in Africa Age: 30 Posts: 1,241 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Exactly, webby. Which is why I tell people to not factor in the tax credit when making this decision. If money is a factor in the decision then there are a lot of other variables to consider. Then, if looking at all those things and the Hybrid is the best car. Bam, you also might get a tax credit. It's like a bonus check for all your hard research work. I've never seen anybody pit the Si against a hybrid. I can't wait to see TommyD's response to your first post.

07-16-2006, 03:11 AM	#11 (permalink)
Gonzo You're doing it wrong!! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Age: 21 Posts: 5,467 iTrader: 5 / 100%	If you would prefer having a hybrid if gas hits $4 a gallon then I would go ahead and get the hybrid, as much as I like the Si. I wouldn't be surprised if gas hits $5 a gallon in the not to distant future. The Si's mileage is good, but it isn't close to the hybrid. Personally if I was getting a Civic I would still get the Si just because I love the car and want an enthusiast machine out of the box. If you want a new sporty daily driver, it is about the most economical choice out there. But if you do alot of driving and don't want anything other than a hyrbid if gas reaches $4 (and sadly I think that is a reality we will face pretty soon) go for the hybrid. If you are getting a weekend car in soon, I definitely would suggest getting a hybrid. If you ever really want to tear up the rubber you can take it for a spin while the hybrid will be saving you money all the way... (ZOMG, over 300 posts )

07-17-2006, 02:14 PM	#12 (permalink)
Civicaddict79 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: So. Burlington, VT Posts: 114 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I know someone that got a hybrid and is going to sell it. They hate it with a passion from a performance standpoint and they also weren't clear that the tax credit was a one-time thing. I guess it's a matter of how important the looks of the SI vs. Hybrid are to you since the SI is a sportier looking vehicle. Good luck man, I hate making decisions!

07-18-2006, 11:23 AM	#14 (permalink)
CivicWithNav Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Woodstock MD Posts: 2,575 iTrader: 13 / 100%	guess what though... ANY Jetta/Golf TDI's are like $22k+ i dunno...if gas mileage is an issue i'd say gofor the regular coupe or sedan. you've heard all the Hybrids not getting the advertised MPG but my EX auto coupe has been getting 40+mpg, beter than advertised mileage so there u go :)

07-18-2006, 11:46 AM	#15 (permalink)
peliROJO Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: currently in Africa Age: 30 Posts: 1,241 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I bet your math is faulty. ^ There you go! :)

07-18-2006, 11:50 AM	#16 (permalink)
peliROJO Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: currently in Africa Age: 30 Posts: 1,241 iTrader: 0 / 0%	The way I calculate mine is like this: I purchased the car with a full tank. I write down the mileage and date. I run it out of gas. I fill up and write down the gallons I put in, the new mileage and the date. I run it out of gas and fill it up. Write down the gallons, the new mileage and the date. I repeat and repeat. I post all the information in www.fueleconomy.gov and here is what I get. Do you have anything similar? Note: there are three gaps where I didn't follow procedure. You can tell where the line is longer than normal.

07-18-2006, 01:38 PM	#17 (permalink)
CivicWithNav Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Woodstock MD Posts: 2,575 iTrader: 13 / 100%	no i'm right... I just live on extremely flat part of the state, where it allows me to get 40+mpg

07-19-2006, 03:34 AM	#18 (permalink)
jc21 Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chicago/Lincoln Park Age: 23 Posts: 1,220 I Like Cheese iTrader: 2 / 100%	Just got back from a trip to Philly (live in upstate NY) 385 miles on the trip and I still got 4 bars left on my tank. I'll get over 40 for sure. And mine was an EPA of 38 on the highway! BTW, you can get an older used VW golf TDI. Know a guy who bought one and is gettin 60mpg. Problem with those cars is the reliability issues. The money you spend in repairs probably balances out the gas money you save.

07-19-2006, 10:54 AM	#19 (permalink)
peliROJO Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: currently in Africa Age: 30 Posts: 1,241 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I have no idea how yall are getting such great gas mileage. My next two tanks look like this... 28.1 mpg and 25.1 mpg. I'm #11 on the fueleconomy report. It's in order that you signed up with a total of 46 people now.

07-19-2006, 01:29 PM	#20 (permalink)
jc21 Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chicago/Lincoln Park Age: 23 Posts: 1,220 I Like Cheese iTrader: 2 / 100%	Peli Rojo: Do you have an SI or non SI? Also do you have your a/c blasting the whole time? If you drive a MT where do you shift at? Do you hit vtec a lot? Oh yea also during my trip I was driving at 71mph with the cruise on the whole way and had the a/c on for more then 3/4 of the trip.