Hybrid Car - Recommendations

Alexd52

Test drove both the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V hybrids, the Honda was a much better drive, and I ended up getting one, couldn't be happier.

AdrianC

Freecall said:

dcweather said:

...most cars would have the choke out.. 

Wow, that takes me back!

The 70's were a fantastic time.

  

New cars with manual chokes were available into the 1990s...

jimbo6977

Make sure your usage pattern will include regular use of the internal combustion engine otherwise its 12v battery will become damaged and need replacing. 

NaughtiusMaximus

AdrianC said:

Freecall said:

dcweather said:

...most cars would have the choke out.. 

Wow, that takes me back!

The 70's were a fantastic time.

  

New cars with manual chokes were available into the 1990s...

Yep, the 1992 Escort my dad used to own had one, probably would have been one of the last models made with one. I've owned/driven quite a few 90s cars and that's the only one I remember with a manual choke.

AdrianC

August 1992 was when cats became required on new petrol cars.

Cats and carbs do not play well - and while some people played with electronically-controlled carbs for a short while (which obviously got rid of the manual choke), most lower-spec cars moved from carb to single point injection very quickly.

Herzlos

jimbo6977 said:

Make sure your usage pattern will include regular use of the internal combustion engine otherwise its 12v battery will become damaged and need replacing. 

Or just switch it into petrol/recharge mode every now and then (or let the propulsion battery run down if there's no selectable mode).

jwx1979

Which car brands have dealers local to where you live?

This will help you narrow down the hybrids to focus on  - having to travel a long distance for servicing or repairs can be more than just inconvenient.

facade

jimbo6977 said:

Make sure your usage pattern will include regular use of the internal combustion engine otherwise its 12v battery will become damaged and need replacing. 

The 12V battery still supplies the lights and most systems apart from traction.

A more likely problem is fuel system, made worse by the adulteration of petrol with ethanol, PHEV owners manuals recommend running on petrol at least once a month*, and the Outlander will run the engine every 90 days if you don't**. 

* or so I'm told, I can't afford a PHEV

** this is on the interweb, it also runs the engine if you need the heater.