Going Hybrid

I went to check out the Honda Civic hybrid with a few friends who're interested in looking for a new car with fuel efficiency being the main criteria and at RM130+K the Honda Civic seems like a really good buy. And these days, I think I can speak for most of us that we're considering these cars for selfish reasons - reducing fuel and other (e.g. stupid road tax) expenses in a safe, modern package rather than environmental and tree hugging reasons.

The Prius is the one with the wow factor and sophistication but I'll tell you why I think the Honda is a better deal; it gets just as good mileage but costs nearly 50K less, feels exactly like a car, has a more conventional engine + transmission and overall can share parts with other Honda Civics and that translates to easier serviceability & lower maintenance costs in the long run. It can also run without power from the battery or motor should the batteries start to fail in the distant future; something the Prius can't do. Another bonus; you also pay for a road tax of a 1.3 engine at RM50 per annum but you get the low end torque of a 1.8. The Prius has a 1.8. It's not known whether the Prius gets an exemption but I suspect that you still pay the road tax of RM270+ for it.

I know road tax is a fairly little minor yearly thing but it's one of those things that irks us. Not because we can't afford it but because we think it's unfair.

The reason hybrids are to be considered is a very logical one; most people don't mind using some fuel when they are moving, but they don't want to use any fuel when they are in traffic jams or stoplights. Not because they are some tree-hugging weird beard. Well it's nice to know that you're saving some fuel and slowing down the destruction of the Earth and saving polar bears from exploding too. But mostly because we want to cut down on fuel expense.

My friend actually considering buying a hybrid and we've both worked out that the Civic Hybrid would most likely offer a better return. He drives a lot, both around town and out of town; currently owns a 1.8 liter Toyota Altis and his fuel expense nearly exceeds 1K per month, so this would definitely cut down on that. After a deposit the monthly loans probably and fuel expense combined probably wouldn't exceed that. At worse, it'll only come up to slightly over what he is spending on fuel alone. I personally think until the next alternative fuel comes along, like hydrogen or peanut oil or whatever (but not electric, because quite frankly when you need to take all night to recharge your car like a laptop that's going backwards for transportation - at least you can USE your laptop while it's recharging), hybrids are the best answer for now.

I'd tell him to change the silly rims of the hybrid though.

P.S. There's this thing about diesels. Well, modern diesels can get high mileage too, but only with turbo. And diesels with turbo are fairly high maintenance. And they're noisy. And they pretty much drive like sh*t. Turbo or not. And there's the engine displacement and road tax.