Prius or Civic Hybrid?

[dmelgar]

Will never buy another VW... worst car I have ever owned.

Hadn't noticed the reports of problems with VWs until after I appended.

I too have heard of lots of problems with VWs, but I can only tell of my experience.

Our 2002 VW Golf has 52,000 miles on it and we've had no problems so far. Rates as one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned. As I say that, now I have an airbag problem I haven't fixed yet, so my opinion could change soon.

We had a 2005 Toyota Sienna which was our worst car ever. Mostly due to our dealer who couldn't or wouldn't fix a vibration issue when we bought the car until 5 dealer trips and a month. We also had problems with a 2002 Honda Civic that we ditched to get our VW Golf. Over the years I've ended up owning almost all brands and haven't found a dramatic different in reliability of any particular brand nor car. I do see a dramatic difference in particular dealerships. They can really mess up a car and cause a bad experience.

 

[Plymouthbreezer]

Go with the Prius!

I've driven a Prius both in the city and on the highway, and they are fun little cars. I've never drive a new Civic, but I'm sure it's equally, if not more sporty and fun to dive. Of course, the Prius still would win in the MPG shootout.

 

[Evangelion]

I really don't get the current hybrid-cars... So they took a regular gasoline-engine and coupled it with electric motor. And end-result is an engine with more or less similar mileage as you would get with any modern diesel-engine. Haw about building a hybrid-car around diesel-engine instead?

Honda and Toyota (not Volkswagen, d'oH!): brand-new hybrid-technology that gets similar mileage as Volkswagen got years ago with TDI. Excuse while I try to contain my enthusiasm.

 

[TBi]

I really don't get the current hybrid-cars... So they took a regular gasoline-engine and coupled it with electric motor. And end-result is an engine with more or less similar mileage as you would get with any modern diesel-engine. Haw about building a hybrid-car around diesel-engine instead?

Honda and Volkswagen: brand-new hybrid-technology that gets similar mileage as Volkswagen got years ago with TDI. Excuse while I try to contain my enthusiasm.

American legislation means you can't sell regular diesels over there without special emission reducing exhaust systems.

Hybrids themselves these days are a proof of concept in a way.

 

[Evangelion]

American legislation means you can't sell regular diesels over there without special emission reducing exhaust systems.

Are you referring to particulate filters? Such filters exist as we speak. And don't the trucks run on diesel? Point is that while diesels do pollute (all cars do), in many ways they pollute less, since the fuel-consumption is a lot lower.

 

[TBi]

Are you referring to particulate filters? Such filters exist as we speak. And don't the trucks run on diesel? Point is that while diesels do pollute (all cars do), in many ways they pollute less, since the fuel-consumption is a lot lower.

Diesels pollute with more toxic pollutants than petrol. Anyway i think trucks are probably exempt. Go read up on the new TDI from VW and the new mercedes diesel released for the american market to read about what they had to do to make their cars pass american legislation.

 

[Evangelion]

Diesels pollute with more toxic pollutants than petrol.

Diesels have different set of pollutants than gasoline does, but that does not mean that they are more dangerous. Diesel's CO2-emissions are a lot lower, and the bane of diesel, particulates, is more or less fixed with particulate-filters. Sulfur is another problem with diesel, but that too has been fixed with sulfur-free fuel.

It seems that the most problem with diesel in USA are due to the poor quality of diesel-fuel that is sold in USA, and not with the engines itself. In Europe things are considerably different, and diesels are considered to be considerably greener than equivalent gasoline-engines are.

 

[Swarmlord]

I really don't get the current hybrid-cars... So they took a regular gasoline-engine and coupled it with electric motor. And end-result is an engine with more or less similar mileage as you would get with any modern diesel-engine. Haw about building a hybrid-car around diesel-engine instead?

Honda and Volkswagen: brand-new hybrid-technology that gets similar mileage as Volkswagen got years ago with TDI. Excuse while I try to contain my enthusiasm.

Wow! Another person that feels the same way I do about the failure to exploit the advantages of diesel. I know the emission issue is there, but compared to the diesels of yesterday, the exhaust from the current crop is practically like a breath of fresh air!

I hope they resolve this diesel issue soon, because I'm in the market for something like a Jetta, Passat, V70, Outback or similar wagon that has a diesel engine and better yet with AWD. The reported 35 MPG numbers reported for the new E series Mercedes sedan are absolutely drool worthy even if the price of entry is an eye popping $55K. Give me less luxury, the flexibility of a wagon and that gas economy and I'm there with cash in hand.

I will not ride in a battery sled though. I appreciate the efforts manufacturers are making in hybrid technology, but that's not the right approach for me.

 

[Evangelion]

Will never buy another VW... worst car I have ever owned.

VW had some issues with models around 1997-2004 or so, but models before and after those have been good. Current models seem to be rock-solid and tests that last for 60.000 kilometers and several months usually are totally problem-free. It's quite common for testers to run in to all kinds of small issues with cars in those tests, even Mazdas and Toyotas, but recently VW's have done really well. So the quality has definitely gone up. And as they take the car apart at the end of the test, they keep on commending how hi-quality all the parts are.

And apart from reliability, then there's the perceived quality. And VW has traditionally done this very very well. Interiors have been very hi-quality and such, whereas on japanese cars the interiors feel cheap and flimsy.

Then there's the case of VW's being driven more than Toyotas are (at least here). I don't remember the details but average yearly mileage, Toyota Avensis gets around 20-25 thousand kilometers a year, whereas equivalent VW Passat gets around 25-30 thousand kilometer. Diesels are driven 30-40 thousand kilometers a year.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Given the choice between a Civic or Prius Hybrid, I'd go with the Civic. However, I'd rather have a Golf/Rabbit/Jetta diesel.

 

[Dave00]

You think hybrids would be diesels and not petrol. Have you seen the fuel efficiency of diesel hybrids? Around 100 MPG+. They really wipe the floor with petrol hybrids.

Always thought this would make sense but never heard of a diesel hybrid. Are there any on the market anywhere in the world? I certainly haven't seen any in the U.S.

Dave

 

[it5five]

I hope they resolve this diesel issue soon, because I'm in the market for something like a Jetta, Passat, V70, Outback or similar wagon that has a diesel engine

I don't know if you saw the link on page one, but VW is going to be releasing the Jetta TDI for 2008. I'd love to see a them release a diesel Rabbit too.

 

[wordmunger]

Just to let everyone know, I got a 2008 Prius. Nice little car -- the interior room was what finally pushed us in the direction of the Prius. I preferred the way the Honda handled, but there's just a tiny trunk and not as much legroom in the back. No small consideration when my son in 6'2".

 

[SactoGuy18]

Just to let everyone know, I got a 2008 Prius. Nice little car -- the interior room was what finally pushed us in the direction of the Prius. I preferred the way the Honda handled, but there's just a tiny trunk and not as much legroom in the back. No small consideration when my son in 6'2".

I'd go with a Prius for one practical reason: you can fold down the rear seats and get a huge amount of cargo space in the back, thanks to Toyota putting the battery pack so it doesn't interfere with storage in the back cargo area.

 

[Duff-Man]

Duff-Man says....congrats on the new vehicle! My g/f bought a Prius earlier this year and I've driven it around Abq a bit. I found it quite comfortable and easy to drive - "feels" really good. I actually like the look of it too...oh yeah!

 

[Lyle]

Just to let everyone know, I got a 2008 Prius. Nice little car -- the interior room was what finally pushed us in the direction of the Prius. I preferred the way the Honda handled, but there's just a tiny trunk and not as much legroom in the back. No small consideration when my son in 6'2".

Thanks for the follow-up, wordmunger. Another data point to consider when I eventually get around to replacing my CR-V.

 

[Stampyhead]

I would go with the Civic, personally. Much nicer car.
BTW, I love South Park's take on the Prius