Hybrid Cars

Chevy Volt vs. Prius Plug-in: Which are you more excited for?

KBBGreenEditor — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:19:51 GMT

It looks like we'll get to see a production-ready Chevy Volt at the Paris Motor Show in October. We also recently learned that the forthcoming Toyota Prius plug-in will offer roof-mounted solar panels to run the air conditioning. As details begin to trickle in, which of the dueling plug-in hybrids are you more excited about?

Honda Insight

DoubleBlazer — Mon, 04 May 2009 01:12:11 GMT

Anyone can write something about Honda Insight?

Chevrolet

ctytrungloi — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:43:50 GMT

As the owner and driver of a hybrid I have to say there are extra precautions you must take while in parking lots. I have lost count of how many people walking in the middle of the parking lot just don't hear the car and get out of the way. We have extra careful in the neighborhood to watch and predict where kids might run in front of the car.

Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

The Opinion — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:44:39 GMT

I wouldn't mind trying out the new Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid - the engine shutting down every time you stop sounds pretty cool to me - even though it may not technically be a hybrid... I really think all vehicle engines should be designed that way... does not make much sense to have the motor running if you're standing still, does it?

Has anyone had a chance to try it? According to the video test here on kbb.com it shifts slowly between gears... has anyone else had the same experience?

Thanks!

Don't buy a Civic Hybrid, here's why:

seangerner — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 19:34:39 GMT

Hey all,

Before you read this story and decide to spam me keep in mind that I keep my tire pressure optimal, I don't drive like an idiot, I get ALL necessary maintence done when needed, etc.

I have a 2006 HCH. The car is a joke and so is Honda corporate. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND NOT PURCHASING ONE BECAUSE THE ADDED COST OF THE CAR WILL DEFINITELY NOT PAY YOU BACK IN GAS MILEAGE OVER A 5YEAR TIME PERIOD OR OVER A LIFETIME FOR THAT MATTER.

Thought I would post on here a quick synopsis of my Honda story. For the first 50,000 miles my car got roughly 42-45mpg on average. Then over a 2-3 week time period it drastically decreased and is only getting 32-34mpg on average.

1. I took my car to local dealership and told there was not a problem. I thought to myself ok it's not too bad yet I will just keep an eye on it. Of course it got worse, so...

2. Take my car back to dealership. They tell me they duplicated my issue. Called Honda tech line who told them they were working on a car with almost the same issue. Tech line told them they replaced the battery and loaded new software into the car but neither one fixed the problem. The dealership's resolution was to WAIT for a fix? Hmmm.

3. Called honda corporate. Was told to get a "second opinion" so I took my car to the only other dealership in Tucson, AZ (Dobbs Honda) who told me they also duplicated my problem, called Honda tech line, Tech line faxed them a Questionnaire surrounding my problem that I needed to fill out so they could fax back to them and then I needed to wait.

4. Called Honda corporate back, was asssigned a case manager who I spoke with about my IMA issues and he said he would talk to the dealerships and tech line then get back to me within 1 week. He called me back and told me my car was "operating within normal circumstances" and that there was nothing wrong with it. Heat can cause it to start its safety feature which automatically turns itself off so it doesnt get damaged, etc. He also told me to read page 76 (I think that's the page) of my manual.

5. I stayed in contact with him (Morris is his name, my case manager) over several months, continued calling and expressing my dissatisfaction. Finally today he called me back again and I had a rather lengthy discussion with him. Told him I wanted either my car replaced or a $4000 credit applied to the remainder of my loan because if I wanted Civic EX gas mileage then I would have purchased a Civic EX for $4000 less than a Hybrid. He basically told me to screw myself, wouldn't give me his supervisor's name and extension, etc, etc, etc. He and Honda corporate are a joke.

I told him I was going to no longer purchase Honda products, no longer refer people to Honda, no longer get my 2 Honda's serviced at Honda dealerships, file a NHTSA safety complaint, file a BBB complaint because I was blatantly lied to regarding Honda tech line's MYTH car that EVERYONE is told they have worked on, consistently send letters to corporate, my local dealership, and finally contact KGUN 9 News on your side here in Tucson, AZ to try and get my story aired.

Thanks for listening to my story,

Sean
Tucson, AZ

P.S. - This is a shortened version of my story; if you would like more information you can email me at seangerner@yahoo.com, but if there are others out there who have a defective IMA motor/battery and have gotten similar treatment from Honda corporate and local dealerships I would highly suggest doing some of your own research. There are plenty of consumers out there being given the runaround from Honda just like I have. Multiple people have posted safety complaints with NHTSA. You can go to the website www.safercar.gov and check for yourself.

Here are a couple of complaint id #'s: 10241683 and 10254417

'Green cars' for profit margin?

petty026 — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:55:21 GMT

Here's an interesting post that caught my attention today. Oh well, this comment post from wobbletastic (autotraderblog.co.uk) made me think a lot about green cars.

So here's the comment... "Please don’t buy a ‘green car’ thinking that you will be saving the world, because you wont be.Only buy a car you actually like. Manufacturers don’t make these cars because they have any intention of changing the natural world for the better. They simply produce so-called environmental cars to fill a market niche..... the marketing chaps will say whatever they want to increase their profit margin; by buying a ‘green car’ you are falling into their trap.."

Seriously he got his point, but for me there's nothing wrong on buying green cars. Maybe partly these auto makers are using this strategy to increase their market as well. Who wouldn't like cutting from huge fuel bills? from expensive gasoline, radiators parts, etc. Not big deal at all.

Hybrids in the HOV Lane -- Incentive or Reward?

jay campbell — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:05:08 GMT

I've often wondered if allowing hybrids into the HOV lane is more a reward for those early green-goers who've chosen hybrids based on their own personal calculus, or is it more of an encouragement for those hybrid teeterers looking for a little more in-it-for-me. It's good highway management, especially on roads where the HOV lanes go under-utilized. Either way, it's great policy (if only until the HOV lanes get clogged with 1-passenger hybrids).

Which to buy...Toyota Prius or Honda Civic Hybrid?

Green Gal — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:13:02 GMT

I've been using kbb.com and other sites to research these two cars and am having a really hard time figuring out what to do. From a features standpoint, they seem really similar. The Prius is arguably more hip (and the Honda a little more -- um -- boring) but both seem pretty equal.

So...what do I do? I'm not looking for random uninformed comments...I'm looking for feedback from owners or people who have driven these cars extensively. Any REAL owners out there who can help?

Hybrid Car Highs and Lows: What's your opinion?

KBBGreenEditor — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:34:21 GMT

The (second-generation) Toyota Prius is on its way to becoming one of this country's most significant automotive icons. But are hybrids just a stepping stone to electrics? Will hydrogen fuel cell vehicles eventually trump all others? Are we at the beginning, middle or end of the hybrid's heyday? Let us hear your take.

Here's an overview of what we know for sure:

Hybrid Car Highs: More Miles Per Gallon, Refuel Anywhere

Hybrid Car Lows: More Components Means More Cost

Welcome to KBB Green Forums

KBBGreenEditor — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:37:14 GMT

Are you looking to save the Earth, or just hoping to save a few bucks? Are increased CO2 levels causing global warming, or is global warming causing increased CO2 levels? Which is greener, hybrid or diesel power?

Welcome to KBB Green Forums, created to take advantage of the simple truth that the more questions we ask, the more answers we get. Kelley Blue Book has been helping car buyers make informed purchase decisions for more than 80 years, and now you get to play a more direct role in that mission than ever. With gas prices and environmental consciousness at all-time highs, and vehicle propulsion technologies in an unprecedented state of flux, the decision to launch our first forums in conjunction with our all-new KBB Green section was an easy one.

So go ahead and dive right in. Ask a question, contribute an answer or just start a conversation. Wherever we decide to go, we'll get there more quickly together.