First Coast Man Dumps His Hybrid

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Hill Downs has owned six vehicles in the past and last year decided to go green with his next vehicle.

"I had a Chevy Silverado but I bought a hybrid because I didn't want to pay those gas prices," says Downs.

Downs, 27, works in the financial field and was banking on big savings when he purchased a 2007 Civic Hybrid.

But he says his 2007 Civic Hybrid came up short of the advertised EPA rating.

"They said I would get 49 miles per gallon in the city and 51 miles per gallon on the highway, I actually got 26-mpg in the city and 30-mpg on the highway," says Downs.

Downs complained to Honda of America. He said they told him the vehicle was operating properly and that the problem was his driving habits.

"They said you have to drive 25 miles an hour in the city and 45 miles an hour on the highway, no one drive those speeds," says Downs.

Downs refused to accept the Honda's reasoning. And last month the automaker bought back his 2007 Civic Hybrid at a loss of $3,000. Down now drives a standard 2008 Honda Civic and he's pleased. He says it will be awhile before he buys another hybrid vehicle.

"I get better miles per gallon with my standard Honda than I did with the Hybrid," says Downs.

A Honda Corporation spokesperson told On Your side that he could not speak specifically to Downs' case.

Spokesman Sage Marie said, "his (Downs) experience is not the norm, hybrids do ultimately deliver."

Marie added, "the EPA ratings are from the government, not from Honda and most hybrid owners are pleased."

Recently, the EPA revised its 19-year old rating system to meet the changing automotive landscape, such as driving conditions, and speed.

The 2008 Civic Hybrid now has an EPA rating of 40-mpg city and 45-mpg on the highway. But ultimately simple things like tire inflation, dead weight in the trunk could affect how many miles you get to a gallon of gas.