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Having moved to a much warmer climate, I might need AC to get through next summer. So I have started to watch HCH-I's on ebay. Im only interested in the lean burn equipped 5 speeds. Here is a 2003 that went unsold for $12995.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=012&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=220040161679&rd=1,1

Im wondering what a good price would be. The KBB on this one was 16k.

Hopefully I can suffer thru the next two summers and wait for the 2009 Prius or the next Honda Hybrid. Time will tell.

Dan, I know the feeling. When my 1988 CRX HF died after 250,000 miles the Insight just arrived.

Hi Dan:

___I do not think you are going to be happy running the HCH-I’s 1.3 w/ A/C running continuously knowing your penchant for maximum FE. Lean burn is absolutely gone and they will struggle to hit even 50 on the highway without it.

___You really should consider an Ice-Vest for next years steam bath. 1 - 1.5 hours with one in 90 - 100 degree temps and you will understand. The (2) packs are recharged in any refrigerator or cooler with ice and they will last for over an hour in extreme high temps. I will do a review on one – One of these days ;) I did give one to Randall and I know his mid-summer commutes next year will be much more pleasant!

___I have looked at the used HCH-I’s w/ a stick too. TIV – Private Party for the one you linked appears to be about $15K - $16.5 in good condition. There is no excellent when it comes to cars and especially with minor cigarette burns in the seats … Billy’s would be rated excellent though :D Knowing these things could be picked up brand new for ~ $16.5 - $17.5 w/ the stick back in mid 04 and even a new 06 w/ electronic A/C with the tax credit is ~ $20K + tax. $15K for a 3 + year old is way above my radar. The hybrid premium is being worked down but the question remains, will gas prices stay down enough for Toyota and Honda to quit playing games with the artificially tight supply?

___Why not wait to see what 08 brings to the table? Those magic Honda diesels being spoke as of for the late 08/early 09 time frame should be able to run an Accord sized automobile at 50 + w/ the A/C as cold as one could possibly endure? And then there is that 09 Prius II with who knows what kind of capabilities? Higher highway was a serious goal and Toyota knows almost as much about the ICE as Honda does now?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Here's another one. I think it's in your neck of the woods too.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-Honda-Civic-HYBRID-Five-Speed-85K-CD-LOOK_W0QQitemZ140047395692QQihZ004QQcategoryZ6256QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Hi Dan:

___Ahhh Ohhhh, Larry’s got the hybrid bug! I wonder why :D

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi Dan:

___Ahhh Ohhhh, Larry’s got the hybrid bug! I wonder why :D

___Good Luck

___Wayne

It must be the people I'm hanging out with that are corrupting me.:D Or driving 5 different hybrids in one day.:eek:

Hopefully I can suffer thru the next two summers and wait for the 2009 Prius or the next Honda Hybrid. Time will tell.
I'm not sure how far south you are relocating, but I've went through the past two summers with little to no A/C here in the Atlanta area...at least if driving solo on my daily commute.

I know many people (Mainly non-hypermilers) thought I'm crazy or something but it's really what you get used to.
My old car's AC was broken for 3 years before replacing it with the HCH.
At that time I didn't have a choice so I compained to myself alot.
But with my HCH came new training skill and the choice of AC or no AC makes a difference for me between tolerable heat vs broiling.

If I "give in" and use it too much it starts a physical and mental addiction (No better words for it) so I tend to use it in very short bursts, usually when slowing down.

Funny I always felt hotter the 1st 15 minutes or so after leaving the hot environment into the buildings AC.

If you're moving much South of the Atlanta "equator" then it's just GAWD awful hot and probably not healthy without AC.

Anyway Wayne's ice vest idea sounds great and I've been meaning to make/buy one but been lazy. I'd also suggest waiting for your next vehicle if possible, for the reasons others have mentioned.

Wayne,
If it was just me, I wouldn't need AC. But I have to haul my kids around and thier friends. My kids complain about the heat and thier friends make fun of them because thier dad's car doesn't have AC. It's not fair that my kids have to suffer because of me....

Hi Dan:

___Carting the children around makes the question an entirely different one so ICE vests are out for that. The only car I know of that can receive decent FE around town with A/C is your Prius II doing what you do the best.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Wayne,
If it was just me, I wouldn't need AC. But I have to haul my kids around and thier friends. My kids complain about the heat and thier friends make fun of them because thier dad's car doesn't have AC. It's not fair that my kids have to suffer because of me....
I bet your Kids and their Friends will "Feel-the-Love" ;) when you get that A/C on this coming Summer. :smilingface (52):

Terry

The only car I know of that can receive decent FE around town with A/C is your Prius II doing what you do the best.


For strictly driving around town there's always the 2WD FEH. Certainly not Dan's style from what I have seen but we all know what can be done when that beast is put in the right hands in the 30-45mph range. Aerodynamics and the inherent "opportunities for improvement" in the current THS/HSD variant would be a disappointment on the highway, however. I keep reading about a high-speed highway commute so maybe that's not the answer.

That said, I think Dan probably has the right idea in looking for a 5MT HCH-I. My assumption is that the bulk of his driving will be commuting on his own, during which times he probably won't run the A/C and will be able to get some stunning numbers. The mileage with the kids and A/C won't be stellar but won't be awful, either.

My only question is how it will behave at 70mph compared to the VX. It's a heavier car with stricter emissions controls and I have a feeling that it's going to be a bit more touchy if the goal is to cruise in lean burn. Maybe experienced HCH-I owners can chime in on that aspect?