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While the older Hondas have a good reputation for mileage. They are ususally riced out or neglected with broken timing belts and replaced engines.
I know the Va Tech area well used to go to shcool there. If I was looking for a car then I would consider the 96 and up Toyota Tercel, or a later Echo. While the gearing could be better those two light weight cars would be very nice for your 3000 foot elevation changes. They also benefit from engines with timing chains instead of belts and are not generally consider candidates for the ricers.
The later 96 and up Tercels and the Echos use the same basic engine as the Prius, a proven design that requires very little maintenance.
Bottom line, I would drive the gift Civic hybrid until that was not an option and when Pop says don't mod it, consider that it is his car, and you are saving tons of money as long as you have access to his car.
I am probably older than your father.
regards
Mech
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