Clarity Plug-In Hybrid becoming more popular

Brand new owner, just bought my 2018 Silver w/ Black Touring yesterday. I'm so excited about this car, even my wife is excited and she doesn't give a rip about cars. Most people don't even know this car exists at this point. I do think it will start to gain a lot of attention once it gets "discovered". Also, if you're in Oregon, I can't recommend University Honda in Corvallis enough. The absolute best car buying experience of my life, friendly, low pressure, non-commissioned salesmen made it a pure pleasure. Plus they throw in two bumper to bumper professional details any time you want them. I've been lurking in the Forum, now am excited to be a part of it. It was extremely helpful in my decision to get the Clarity. Oh, and I think it's gorgeous!
 
MPower said:
if the IRS ever comes back into business so they can issue refunds.
Click to expand...
If you have wage income, you can give yourself a "early refund" by adjusting w4. IRS provided a online w4 calculator to minimize your withholding, and refund.
 
Tomrl said:
friendly, low pressure, non-commissioned salesmen
Click to expand...
The big question: How much did they know about the Clarity PHEV or, because you're in Oregon, the Clarity Electric? If you've been a lurker on this forum, you know a lot more about this car than most Honda car salespeople.
 
insightman said:
The big question: How much did they know about the Clarity PHEV or, because you're in Oregon, the Clarity Electric? If you've been a lurker on this forum, you know a lot more about this car than most Honda car salespeople.
Click to expand...

Quite a lot actually, they have been selling the BEV and now the PHEV. They have a great 8+ minute video on their website about the Clarity. There are a ton of E vehicles sold in this area, just not Claritys, yet... I have not sighted another one yet and I'm always on the lookout.
 
Tomrl said:
Quite a lot actually, they have been selling the BEV and now the PHEV. They have a great 8+ minute video on their website about the Clarity. There are a ton of E vehicles sold in this area, just not Claritys, yet... I have not sighted another one yet and I'm always on the lookout.
Click to expand...
Wish I had that enlightened of a dealer here in the coal country of KY. I basically sold the car to myself (and got no commission!), informed the finance guy of I wanted Honda Care D-80 at $1304 (which he did not even mention at first since they get more profit on no-name 3rd party contracts), and then told the Service Advisor about the plugs, tire pressure, PDI with Battery Capacity Signal, and service bulletins (they had never seen a Clarity).

But at least I got a $100 referral check after explaining my car to someone at the Drive Electric event we put on who then purchased the third one sold here.
 
December buyer here.

Well actually originally got it in December but re-did the contract to January 1 for a utility rebate increase.

Was looking for a fuel cell Clarity but the wait was killing me - the few dealers that get them in have huge waitlists.

Dealer was nice enough to let me drive a PHEV for a day and that was all it took.

Funny how at the last 2 weeks in December, all the Clarity PHEV sold out - but the month before - they just sat there.

Must be the new CA HOV stickers (red or purple only)....
 
su_A_ve said:
Well, we drove south from NJ to FL (about 1100 miles) and then to NOLA and back to NJ (about 2300 miles). I did not spot a SINGLE Clarity past Virginia on the way south (I-95), and not ONE until we got back to DC area. I see one at least daily here in NJ (in addition to my neighbor's and my coworker's)

With gas prices in NOLA as low as $1.75, who needs a hybrid?

PS: road trip was done in our 18' Ody and got up to 30 mpg (gasp!)
Click to expand...
Yes, at $1.75/ gallon; it's cheaper to run the Clarity on gas than electricity; but it's nice to have the option to switch back and forth. Its probably cheaper to run your home on a generator at $1.75 gas as well:)
 
That's why the state changed the HOV stickers and made the green and white ones invalid starting this year.

Guess they wanted to flush them out and people started buying the newer models to get the red and purple HOV stickers.

The new red and purple are the ones now allowed and seems to have helped with the carpool traffic here in LA compared to last month.
 
insightman quoted:

The 2011-2015 Volt has one motor that powers the wheels, and a second that acts as an engine-driven generator to produce electricity when battery capacity is depleted.

The 2016 Volt, on the other hand, has a pair of motors that are roughly the same size, one or both of which can power the car.

It still operates exclusively in all-electric mode up to its range of 50 miles or so (except in very cold weather) before the engine switches on.

But once the battery is down to its "depleted" level, the engine switches on--and it contributes torque to drive the wheels far more often now than it did in the first Volt, when it would clutch into the drivetrain only in a limited set of high-speed driving circumstances.
Click to expand...

Hey thanks, insightman! I knew there were some differences between Voltec 1.0 (2011-15) and Voltec 2.0 (2016+), but didn't have any details on that, other than an improvement in extended-range MPG.

I learned something today!
:)
 
insightman said:
The Clarity's ICE is always connected to the starter motor/generator. The traction motor is always connected to the differential. The clutch simply connects the engine to the differential, meaning that everything's connected mechanically to the wheels: ICE, traction motor, and starter motor/generator. This clutched connection only occurs at speeds greater than 41 mph (in my experience). The Volt's ICE, however, has to cope with propelling the car at low speeds, so a more complex transmission is required. The simplicity of Honda's i-MMD plug-in hybrid system is beautiful IMHO.
Click to expand...
another great insight from Insightman! Keep it up ☝
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top