[mikeyjd]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

03-05 Civic Hybrid is the only one with 40+ epa rating and stickshift. You don't want that one. By now the batteries are failing and Honda isn't interested in replacing them.

Honda likes to short-change their manuals with higher-revving gear ratios. Still, any recent Civic stick will easily do 40+ mpg, just not epa rated as such. I mean, set the cruise control at 65 and you'll get it.

Thanks for that info.

Originally Posted by samwichse

Bought exactly this car with a failing hybrid battery for cheap, replaced the hybrid battery for [relatively] cheap from Bumblebee Batteries... an easy DIY project. Flip the HV cut switch, take out about 20 screws, unplug the battery, plug in the new one, replace those 20 screws, flip on the switch, done.

I'm now enjoying an average of 52 mpg over the last 20k miles in a good sized 4 door car and a mostly in-town commute.

Buy a 2003-2005 Civic hybrid manual with a bad battery: $3500
Buy a new hybrid battery from Bumblebee: $2100

Gets you in under your budget and well over your target.

Sam

good idea perhaps.