2010 Honda Insight: share your opinions

[cfg83]

1337 -

(I numbered your wants for reference)

Originally Posted by 1337

MetroMPG-

I like that idea, but I really don't care about interior room, nor do I care about looks. If I were going to spend that cash on a used car, I'd find a first gen Insight manual. Or, I could even buy a Metro or a CRX.

My point is, I'd like to see a new, stock car with the interior specs of a Versa Base [1], the aero-optimization of the Insight (new or old Insight) [2], the handling of the Fit [3], and the low-displacement of the 1.0L Metro [4].

Sounds like the Honda Civic HX, .

I read a review that said the new Insight was fun to drive, so I think the Insight is giving you about 2.5 out of 4.

I would like the same kind of car as you, but I think Honda wouldn't offer it for (I suspect) the same reason the HX went away. The HX and Insight "compete" against each other in the marketplace.

CarloSW2

[1337]

cfg83-

Yeah, you're probably right. People would see similar EPA numbers for the Insight and the "Fit CRX HF," and they would choose the non-Hybrid Fit.

As SVOboy mentioned, perhaps the Mazda2/Ford Fiesta is the right car for these needs. If not, maybe Ford will build an aero-optimized, manual, low-interior-spec Versa Basic competitor. I haven't heard anything about a Ford minicompact hybrid.

[jamesqf]

I don't think my opinion of the new Insight would make it past the forum's language standards, since I've owned a REAL Insight for the last 6 years. I don't suppose this is a bad car, for what it is, but to give it the Insight name...

[Daox]

I think the Insight definitely has its flaws (no manual trans!), but overall will be a good car. I know I can't wait to drive one. Most of us here can get 30% above EPA without hardly trying. If we apply that to the new Insight you're getting just over 53 mpg. Right now, I can achieve that in my smaller Paseo, but its not a piece of cake. For the hardcore drivers/modders we're looking at 100% above epa, or in the low 80s. I have a hard time saying these numbers are bad, especially when I go to the EM garage and see almost half of the people getting below 30 mpg. Could a better car be made? Undoubtedly. Is this a descent alternative (and yet another option for everyone to choose from)? Definitely.

[Funny]

Originally Posted by Daox

I think the Insight definitely has its flaws (no manual trans

First off, like Jamesqf, you cannot call this an Insight in good confidence.

I prefer to call it "The Prius' Parasitic Twin" - TPPT for short. It is a copycat to ride the Prius-shape marketing wave, because the Prius is almost always the car people associate with the word Hybrid.

Besides, If they are utilizing a CVT they already compromised the design by adding the weight of that type of transmission versus a Manual transmission like the first gen Insight had. We could chin-wag about this all day, at the end of which hypermilers like you and me are never satisified.

Don't call it an Insight. Call it bad judgement on Honda's design team.

[jamesqf]

It's not really fair to call it a Prius copycat - it's like saying a robin is a starling copycat. If you want a car to seat 4 and have a low Cd, there are only a few (maybe only one) possible shapes it can be.

[1337]

It's true, the Insight/Prius shape is one of the best shapes that makes sense for a car. My '02 C-class coupe has a Cd of 0.26, and, if you squint, it resembles a Prius. It has a similar boattail and sloped-in roof pillars. I suppose the Benz badge and 2-door body make it look less Prius-like.

100% agreed about the manual tranny. I'd like a 5 or 6 speed manual, please.

[cfg83]

Hello -

I'd call it the Insight IV (4 passengers). The Insight was the first hybrid, so the name means something. But the Insight was also a commercial flop (18,000 units), so I don't mind resurrecting the name.

Technically the "CRX" was a Civic, and that kind of didn't make sense either (to me anyway).

CarloSW2

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by cfg83

But the Insight was also a commercial flop (18,000 units)...

It wasn't a "flop", it was a project intended to get real-world data on hybrid & other technology. Honda never intended to build more than they did, and easily sold all that they built.

[NeilBlanchard]

...the first Insight was before it's time?