I'm interested in buying a hybrid as I agree we all need to move
towards less oil consumption and less green house gas emmission. But
I have some questions for those of you who have been driving hybrids,
especially for those of you who have gone through the winter with a
hybrid.

1. How does the car perform in snow or on dirt roads?
2. How does the car perform in the cold?
(Also does it do an adequate job of heating the passenger
compartment?)
3. If I put my kayaks on the roof is performance and mileage going to
drop precipitously? For that matter will the racks alone hurt
performance?
4. I love my Accord and I keep hearing that a hybrid is in the future
but does anyone actually *know* when?

Thanks for your help.

Dave