Hybrid cars

[sheryl_baver]

I am also thinking of getting one..To save more on gas and try to help on our environmental problems..

But I have read that it has sticking pedals problems with is very common to hybrid cars..

[wb5jaz]

i have a 2008 honda civic hybrid. the first 5000 i kept track of the gal and miles and got 47.3 (by calculation). at the time, i drove abt 60% on 2 lane hwy, 20% in town, and 20% interstate.
MPG is best at speeds below 65. on interstates at 70 the instantenous milage indicator indicates abt 42.
my current millage is 55000. mine just assist with the electric. i have had it go total electric at abt 40 mph on level ground for abt 1/2 mile.
you loose a small area behind the back seat where the battery pack is located. i believe they total abt 170V and operate a motor/gen located abt where a clutch would be on anyother car. there is a 12v under the hood that is used for the acc. the engine has a alt on it to operate the lights etc.
the viehicle starts using the motor/gen.
when u stop and have it in gear and have ur foot on the brake, and the battery pack is not low, the engine has no gasoline supplied and the valves are put in a closed position (i think) but is keep running by the motor. that keeps water circulating for u and the engine. also keeps the a/c operating.
i like the car. plenty of acceleration because it uses both gas and elec to accelerate. brakes are assisted by the motor turning to a gen. somewhere around 5mph while stopping, the gen cuts out and u have to apply a little more brake. in short, u can feel a little lunge.

[refuge821]

I have two friends with a Prius.  One has over 100k miles on hers and has not had to replace anything.  The battery did go dead in her driveway [the one that makes all the other stuff work - not the regular battery it has] and her husband charged it.  No problem since.

Another friend has less miles and her car stopped on a bridge with all the lights going off.  It was this same battery problem.  She was towed in and they had to put a new one is they told her, which they did for over $400.

Seems there's some misrepresentation out there if these batteries can be charged ... or if there's a price difference between $438 and "a few thousand dollars."

[gail_in_ca]

We've got a 2005 Prius with 94,000 miles (that's not a typo!) We've had absolutely no problem with it, but my cousin needed to replace his battery sometime after 100,000 miles which cost a few thousand dollars. We'll see if our car follows his pattern.

The car is great fun to drive, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone considering a hybrid!

[Jeff]

see my post Allen  

[Allen_Treadway]

I'm wondering if any of you have had experience with the new, fuel efficient hybrid cars.  My wife is expressing a desire for one, and I admit I am intrigued by the concept.  While they seem to be getting good reviews in the press, I'd be interested in reading some real-life experiences.

Allen Treadway