DriveTech

2005 Honda Civic Hybrid Certified Pre-Owned

Pre-owned hybrid brings the price down and the gas mileage up

You're probably wondering why I chose another certified used vehicle vs. a new Honda for today's review. This used vehicle is a hybrid and I haven't driven a hybrid with miles on it. This test vehicle has 25,345 miles, so I felt this would be a good test. Just so happens that Poway Honda had only one on the lot at the time and I snagged it.

The hybrid craze has softened a bit but there are folks out there who need a hybrid. Now hybrids are finally starting to show up on the certified used car lots at local Honda dealers. Honda has a great certified used car program, which starts with a 150-point inspection and a great financing program that comes really close to new car financing. You can also lease a certified used Honda.

Here are the warranty points you should be aware of: seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. That is a four-year extension on the new car warranty. You get a 12-month/12,000-mile extension on the standard three-year/36,000-mile new car warranty (except for wear items). My test car still falls under the factory warranty for at least another 11,000 miles, depending on the miles I put on it.

Another nice feature is that there's no deductible on covered repairs and you can transfer the warranty if you sell it before it goes out of warranty. Plus, a certified used Honda is eligible for Honda care certified additional coverage with more vehicle coverage, roadside assistance, towing, lock-out assistance, rental car reimbursement and trip interruption benefits. Not bad for a used car!

When a certified used car is inspected and something is found that needs to be repaired or replaced, they use certified Honda technicians and Honda certified new parts. Every Poway Honda is covered by Carfax, which guarantees the car has not been salvaged, flooded, bought back by the manufacturer, or that the speedometer hasn't been tampered with (just to name a few items).

This certified used Honda Civic Hybrid looked brand new. The outside and interior were perfect, with no scratches, dents or dings. This is a four-door model with a five-speed manual transmission. The car has an AM/FM/CD player, a nice center console with storage, plus storage around the floor-mounted shifter. It has tinted windows and all the floor mats were in the trunk. Most cars don't come with floor mats, so I have no idea why the last customer had them.

This Civic has alloy wheels and a little spoiler on the rear deck lid for a little bling action. I have no idea the exact color this car was painted by Honda, but it seems to be a robin egg blue and it's appealing. You're just going to have to take a ride over to Poway Honda and ask Kathie Thompson, the internet sales director, what color it is. And maybe she will let you take it out for a test drive. In fact, since she's the internet director, why not just e-mail her at www.powayhonda.com or call her at (858) 391-5960?

I've driven a lot of hybrid vehicles and the one thing I don't like is a car that is telling me I'm using too much juice. It's a constant reminder that I'm not being environmentally friendly. However, Honda keeps it simple. There is an assist and usage meter on the dash, but it's not the focal point. It just seems to be a reminder that you may be accelerating a little faster than you need to.

Remember, this hydrid still has a gas engine - a 1.3-liter inline four-cylinder that develops 93 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 116 pound foot of torque at 1,500 rpm. With a light foot you can reach 51 miles per gallon on the highway and 46 miles per gallon in the city on regular gas. You don't need to do anything to the electric side of the power plant. I felt the car drove great and could handle any highway situation that came up.

The safety features are the standard issue, including front air bags for the driver and passenger, and crumple zones surrounding the occupants. Plus, the Honda Civic Hybrid got a five-star frontal impact rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

I normally don't like to talk price, but this Honda Civic Hybrid is below a new model. In fact, it's even below Kelly Blue Book. So if you have a need for a Hybrid, this would be my choice this week. Check out Poway Honda and ask for stock No. 521329 and tell them I sent you!

Next week, a cool car from Paradise Chevrolet in Temecula.