Honda Insight....
 

Looking at buying one....an older one in the 3K-5K range. Anything I should be aware of? How many miles do they last? Auto vs manual? Etc. Will be an 80-mile a day commuter car. Hybrid also needed for carpool lane. Shaves off an easy 20-30min a day here in Los Angeles.

The regular hybrids no longer qualify for single occupancy carpool lane use. You need to look into plug-in hybrids, electrics and CNG cars.

Not familiar with the carpool regs.

But if you're shopping: get a manual. Better mileage, more engaging, many other benefits.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ems-18892.html

Why don't you just carpool.

I do carpool sometimes, but 9mpg in my friend's 1970 Challenger, or 16mpg in my 4x4 diesel isn't the best option. They sound like pretty good cars, thanks for the advice MetroMPG ;)

I use to cycle 40 miles to work and 40 miles back home. If you did that in LA the smog would burn your lungs out. When I lived in LA I carpooled every day, there were 3 of us in the car, sometimes 4. Your post reminds me of when the guy that worked for the undertaker and got a ticket for using the carpool lane. The Judge said the people had to be alive in order to use the lane..

How is public transit in LA? It works in the Phoenix area for getting to and from school, but I can hardly think of anywhere else to use it, even though I already paid for it.

I once heard that my uncle was riding his bike an hour and a half each way, my jaw dropped, and my sister explained that I was envious. Now, when I ask her about riding my bike somewhere she comes up with some reason not to.

PS, when I came home from Active Duty I took her dogs running. They were noticeably calmer, but she put obstacles there, too.

Why don't you get a motorcycle? If I remember correctly, they're allowed into the carpool lanes.

Forget a motorcycle, get a scooter! :P

I've been surprised by the number of Insights I see here in western Wisconsin. A few red ones, at least three silver ones, today I spotted a dark blue one at the local waterin' hole. Thought about stopping by and staring through his windows, or maybe going in for a drink and/or discussion, but had the significant other with me...

So many small things on those cars add up to major savings. Would love to try to build fenders that mimic the Insight.