looking at an 03 civic hybrid
 

it is a stick, has about 110K miles on it, and has a brand new factory honda IMA battery pack installed with 3y/36k warranty...all for 5500 bucks

I'm wondering about what kind of problems I should look for with these, for when I go look at it and test drive.

I'm assuming the battery pack being replaced means it should last another 8-10 yrs?
How do the 5 speeds hold up on these?

I'm assuming everything else is typical honda civic stuff and should be pretty reliable...right?

Any advice is welcomed :)

I have to tell you that I haven't heard a lot of good things about the civic hybrids, they're generally much lower on MPG's than people expect, at least from what I've heard. IDK maybe you'll be lucky but I'd probably shy away from it. Just my $.02

~Matt

thx
I went to fueleconomy.gov and looked at the "owners" reported mpg's and it compared to the prius..in fact was almost exactly the same as the prius?

I thought that the mpg's reported by owners would be more accurate?

they reported 45 mpg's in mixed driving...and I'm assuming these arent ecomile drivers...?

From what I've heard the 1st gen Civic with 5spd are awesome highway cars. They have lean burn just like the 1st gen Insight, so that really helps them out. Driven right you'll beat a Prius on the highway. In the city you'll find it very hard to beat a Prius though. IMA simply doesn't have the guts that HSD does.

That all being said I have had my eye out for a 1st gen Civic for a while now as a possible replacement for my 97 Paseo (I also have a Prius). I think they're great cars. You might just want to look into a grid charger to help keep your pack alive a bit longer.

thx
by grid charger i assume you mean to add a plug so that you can wall charge the batteries?

I had considered just getting a regular civic.

I compared overall fuel mileage between both cars though, and the difference is almost 10mpg's in favor of the hybrid.

I figure even if the used hybrid with brand new batteries cost's me a grand more than the regular civic, that I'll make that back in a year or so.

and I'm assuming the batteries generally last about 8 yrs?


thx for all the info...really appreciate it.

I believe the main problem with the IMA batteries is that they become unbalanced over time and that they are susceptable to heat. The unbalancing issue is fixed with occasionally grid charging that equalizes/balances the pack. The grid charger is a DIY mod that hooks up to the pack and charges it. The heat issue can be delt with mostly by using common sense and not using the batteries when your car has been sitting in the sun all day, etc.

ok,
so what about the early prius'?
how long do the battery packs last on those?

here is one in our price range...2003 Toyota Prius - Must Sell Come See It And Make Offer

but I would imagine the battery packs are getting old at this point, right?

I wouldn't be too worried about the Prius battery pack. I would make sure that the previous owner(s) changed the transmission fluid on schedule though.

hey daox,
I see you are rocking one of those :thumbup:

now, are you saying that almost 10 yrs down the road, the battery packs arent on their last legs?
Do you know what their average lifespan is?

i guess I just dont want to buy it and then two years later have to replace a 3K dollar battery pack :)

Okay, I will check on the auto tranny.

Any other problem areas you have run into with your car?

thx

I haven't had any significant problems with my vehicle. It has about 96k miles on it and runs like new. I have absolutely no worries about the batteries dying anytime soon. I've talked to a Prius owner who had 350k miles on his 1st gen (like the one you're looking at) and he was still on his original battery pack. If you are that worried about the battery pack, perhaps you could call up the local Toyota dealer and see if they can do a diagnostic on the pack to make sure it is in good shape?