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I drive about 70 miles every day on the highway (in pretty heavy traffic on the way back), and even my vw beetle is getting very expensive to fill.

What do you guys think, should I get an HCHI 5mt with about 50k miles on it or should I wait a year and get the new honda hybrid or something else? My girlfriend just picked up a touring prius and I am pretty jealous :p .

Hi Pelewise2:

___With that many highway miles/day and if it is the Lean-Burn capable HCH-I w/ a stick, I would jump all over it! For highway miles, the lean-burn capable HCH-I will take out both the past and present Prius and the HCH-II. Do not overpay however!

___Good Luck

___Wayne

For a question that has probably been asked many times, how do I know if the car is lean burn capable? Aren't all of the stick shifts lean burn?

Apparently the ones sold in CA were not. Other than that, yes.

Hi Pelewise2:

___AS Sean said ;) There is a sticker on the rear doors windows stating if it is an SULEV or LEV. If it states SULEV, it is one of the cleanest vehicles on the road but lacks lean burn capability unfortunately :(

___Good Luck

___Wayne

You would have the potential to save >$1200 in one year with the HCHI. Go for it!

Well I did it! I picked up an '05 HCH with a stick shift today that had 20,000 miles on it. Color isn't the best (tan) but it's certified and they gave me a fair deal on my trade in.

Hi Pelewise2:

___Congratulations and I predict you are going to love it :)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

awsome, and what a deal. i have an 05 stick, but it's got almost 80,000 miles on it. at least i put them on there, i bought it new.

i agree with the others, the 5 speed is going to get you much better mileage, especially on a long commute, than either a new HCH with the CVT or the prius.

check out all the tips on here, and start trying them out, with the easiest ones first.......i run my tires close to 60 lbs, coast in neutral whenever possible, avoid quick starts and fast braking, and try to keep the IMA battery charged full......wayne can give you tips on that one, since it takes a little learning to do it.

keep posting, i think you're the second HCH-I to join in two days. my car was getting lonely.

I suppose if I purchased my honda civic hybrid in may of 2002 it is and HCH1. The best mpg i've had with it is 50 mpg, but I havn't employed any of the hypermiling techniques on it yet. My wife uses it and I use the truck.

Welcome! No doubt it's a great machine, and something in the mid 40s is probably average for someone who "just drives it". Is yours a stick or CVT version?