£3-3.5K to spend on automatic daily hybrid- Prius or Civic?

[daveofedinburgh]

Im looking to buy an automatic hybrid to do ~10K miles per year in, almost exclusively for commuting duties which are a combination of town driving and motorways (locum work).

Im looking at both the second generation prius and 06> Civic IMA hybrid. Both do a claimed 60+mpg combined, so nothing to choose there. Car is being bought purely for practical reasons (should have a 996 911 in the garage soon to fulfill my 'needs') so looks/ tediousness not a consideration either.

£3-3.5K buys either car with sensible miles and history, which conveniently is my budget for a fuel-efficient, reliable daily.

Any PHers got experience of these cars? Looking for ownership testimonials/ things to look out for ie. battery issues or other common bork.

Also interested to hear if any PHers have bought a hybrid for the fuel efficiency/ low tax, then switched back to 'normal' cars with low mpg numbers because they didnt get on with hybrids? Suggestions for alternatives to these cars are very welcome.

Not a very PH thread, but there has to be afew folks on here who have experience with this kind of boring white goods...

[grumpynuts]

Have a look for an early Auris hybrid, the Toyoya hybrid system is loads better than Honda, the Auris looks better and drives better too.