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Hybrids have come a long way in the past few years - just remember that if you go with an '04, that technology is 6 years old, which is a LONG time ago for a hybrid. I'm pretty sure it only gets 35-40mpg, which isn't really a huge win in the hybrid world. nice car, though.

The TDI wins hands down in your comparison list, and gets you 800+ a tank using proven technology.

Tough choice! I'd put the Civic and TDI as the front runners.

Hi Tanya, I'd personally stay away from hybrids for at least a few more years not because they are bad, but it's b/c the long-term durability of the technology is still unproven in my opinion. A replacement for one of those driving batteries are several thousand dollars (no battery lasts forever), so I'd sit back and wait a little while.

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What is the difference between ignorance and apathy? I don't know and I don't care.

I think if you love the drive of the VW, then the money is worth it. Its reasonable (not cheap at all), economical and dang fun. Just don't get auto.. thats just wrong!

A regular Civic sedan can get 800km on a tank (hwy) easy. But then again, I don't do rush hour tfc. I would get the new Prius or the new Honda hybrid, not the Civic version, but the Insight. How about a smart car?

Unfortunately, no.
And here's the big thing most people miss.
4L/100km and 5L/100km are VERY different. 5L Means you're spending 25% more on gas all the time. AND above that:

35MPG is 6.7L/100km, which is still in the good range. UNFORTUNATELY, a couple of years ago, car companies switched from using US gallons to UK gallons, so NOW, 35mpg is actually 8L/100km, which is DOUBLE the amount of gas as 4L/100km.

FYI, nothing runs on 4L/100km, the above was just for comparison, and to show you that the recent improvements in fuel consumption when stated in MPG is all a scam.

Test drive a Honda Fit before you decide on any of these cars.

And make sure you get a full demo on all the rear seat configurations.

+1
The Fit was one of the top cars in 07 or 08, maint-wise etc. Cheap on gas and AMAZING cargo room.
Btw, if you have the NiMH fail for some reason, you would be the first ever! (They have been replaced due to accidents etc) But in almost 10 years there has not been a single Batt fail on the Prius in North America. (The NiMH, not the 12V, which needs replacemnet/maint like any other cars 12v batt.)

Not seeing the front of the car is actually a good thing. It means you have more road visibility.

I know that it can be uncomfortable not being able to see the front of your car, it freaked me out when I first got my civic ('06), but it didn't take me long at all to 'know' where the front of my car is.

If it was the only thing you didn't like about the car, then I'd say you might want to give it another look.

Like your pops, I am anti car technology too and am considering disconnecting both my ABS and Traction Control this winter, as they caused more troubles for me in winter vs. helping.

I am honestly not very well-versed in the Hybrid technology, but I am fairly certain you'll get a lot of warning lights before the battery goes completely bad. I heard replacement batteries are not as expensive as before, but I wonder how exactly they dispose of those batteries, and whether it is any more environmentally friendly or not. I honestly feel you should just get a regular Civic or a Hyundai Accent if you're looking for fuel economy.

IMO, cars are obligatory in our society for anyone living in the suburbs or in a climate with snow, and it seems public transit isn't any better these days judging by some of the posts on here about the GO-nowhere Trains.

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What is the difference between ignorance and apathy? I don't know and I don't care.

Yes the VW TDIs are great fuel efficient cars, and as usual have all the great things VWs have in their interiors. Just hope that the Canadian/North American diesel fuel doesn't mess up the engine. I've known a few TDI (1 Golf and 1 Jetta) that had perfect running cars for 3 years, that then became complete rubbish due to our dirty diesel messing up the high engineered VW engines.

Now apparently our diesel is better now, and VW has made some modifications that are suppose to make their TDI engines a bit less delicate ... but who knows?

Just don't get one that was made in Mexico. I had a TDI from there and it was pure hell.

The VW emblem has a sombrero on it.

That or check the VIN

My 99.5 was made in Mexico... its not been perfect repair wise, but I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

The car is electric assisted, not electric driven. Basically the electric motor part of the car assists the "main" engine get to about 50+ km/h. Then main engine take over and drives the car like a normal civic. I believe the newer hybrids are able to coast the car around 90km/h electric alone.. but no one drive that slow on the highway

the GM Volt for example will be electric driven. It will have a small 3 cyclider assist engine running a constant RPM to feed the motor when the batteries are getting low. And on a Volt side note, the electric engine will use the Navi in the car to know when it needs to run the engine in the back, so if it only has 20km left in the batterym but it knows you are 15km from home it will not start the assist motor on the way home.

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Pain is Temporary Pride is forever

if the battery dies, the cars electronics would not run ... so yea, you would be SOL. * and so would any other car to that matter!

But i am sure Honda has a program in place to replace the battery before it stops working. You won't be the first person to buy a hybrid. Just ask the dealership what problems they have seen in the car.

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Pain is Temporary Pride is forever