I love my '03 Civic Hybrid. I've had it for 2 1/2 years, and I'm looking forward to several more years behind the wheel.

I bought this car because I'm a pragmatic environmentalist. I believe that green technologies will only be developed as the market demands them. With this purchase, my dollars are voicing that demand in a way that is louder than lobbies and activists can be. And even as someone who spends time in both cities and mountains, I know that I am better off in a Civic in the woods than in an SUV in Boston.

Of course I don't get the advertised gas mileage - closer to 38 MPG, mostly. I've only hit 51 MPG once on a fluke - driving from NY to Boston "stuck" in 50 MPH steady traffic. My right foot is a little heavy, I admit, but for how I drive this is still better gas mileage than I would get in any other car. And I love that I can beat most cars from a stop, even with my engine off.

I understand that the back seats can't fold down because of the battery placement, but even a small poke-through for skis would have been useful. My ski rack significantly increases wind noise and kills my efficiency. But even so, I've been amazed at how much my Civic can haul. It takes a little time to do the creative packing, but I've been able to put more stuff in the back seat than one would think possible.

And as a skier, I've always dreaded how this Civic handles on snow. Spinning starts, unpredictable steering and long stops have become part of my seasonal driving. This winter, I finally splurged on some decent snow tires (Nokian Hakka-2s) and it has made a significant difference. Again, it slightly impairs my MPG numbers, but the increased control and safety is more than worth it.

The other downside to the Hybrid was the limit of styling choices available in August '02 when I bought mine. Colors of other Civics were not available for the Hybrid unless I wanted to pay an extra $5k for a factory strip and re-paint. I didn't. Instead, I went with a $1,200 sunroof that the dealer installed. I'm very happy I splurged.

Cold weather seems to be an issue for the electrical system. Some of the gauges don't work immediately after a sub-zero night, but the car has never failed to start. (knocking on wood.) I can't tell you how cool it was to jump-start my friend's jeep two weeks ago up in Maine.

A trunk release on the remote would have been nice too, but now I'm just being nit-picky.

All that aside, I have a nice looking, reliable, peppy car that is comfortable and fun to drive. I can go 400 miles without thinking about buying gas. And I'm helping to foster in a new age of greener vehicles.

Amount Paid (US$): 21500
Condition: New
Model Year: 2003
Model and Options: Civic Hybrid