Thanks to all the replies everyone
Looks like I have a lot of deciding to do between the HCH, Pruis and the Fit! They all have their positives and negatives for sure.
It will be around 4 years before we will begin to start a family, so this car might last until the 1st newborn gets here, or it may be sold before then. All in all, they are all nicer than my current "deathtrap" ZX2
I really like the Prius, it is the fact that when the battery goes, the car dies with it until a new $$$ battery is put in. This makes me really question if I want one, as the Honda Hybrids are drivable when the batteries start dying. Prius's hold their value around here (NC), too.
Leg room is not a high priority, as my fiance is 4' 7", so her seat will be slid all the way up all the time, giving the person in the back plenty of room
No one ever wants to ride with me anyhow!
We have other vehicles to haul stuff in, including the stripped out ZX2 that can carry 16' 2x4s now, her Corolla and eventually my barn-on-wheels K5 Blazer.
All the vehicles mentioned can get 60 mpg, no there is no contest there. ...Although if the HCH1 is mine, the goal is a 82 mpg tank, no excuses
Doax, what kind of work did the HCH require?
Red Devil, that sounds like quite the life, I love the sound of it. I know kids will be difficult, but there's just something about having my own that I can't wait for! Your children sounds similar to me when I was their age, so I kinda know your struggle, as I see what did to my parents now that I look back
I hope we have 2 girls and a boy of our own, and we plan to adopt and/or foster.
Mr. Pancake, thank you for all the information! Good to know that I have an almost 0% chance of finding a non-lean burn HCH in NC. I'm looking out for a manual now, as I when checked on the CVT replacement prices and reliability ->
Here is the only 5spd HCH1 in my area on CL :
Honda CIVIC Hybrid STICK SHIFT2004 I can probably get it a lil bit cheaper than this.
This is a possibility: Buy a HCH1 for now and enjoy it for the next couple years. When we decide to start a family, sell the HCH and find a lightly used Prius 4 Eco, Fit Hybrid or the like then for family purposes. Yeah, I like the sound of that