What is better, Honda Insight or Civic VX?

[Ryland]

What would you rather own and why? a Civic VX or a Honda Insight?
For me I rarely use the rear seat and drive 8,000 to 10,000 per year and live in an area with snow and salt on the roads.

[MetroMPG]

I voted Insight. (Manual, of course.) No contest.

It's the pinnacle of efficient internal combustion! The efficiency nerd's Ferrari! A total blast to drive, if you enjoy geeking out over managing its various systems for max efficiency.

I mean, c'mon: it has five built-in fuel economy displays! FIVE!

With mods and a careful right foot, it'll deliver 100 mpg US at 50 mph all day long in warm weather.

And if the nimh battery dies, you can choose to ignore it and still get far better mileage than a VX. Or you can make a grid charger and keep it on life support for many more years. Or rebuild it.

I'm glad I got to own one for a few years. It just didn't make sense for me to keep it, and I miss driving it when I fire up the Flea.

I'm not knocking the VX - I would have probably bought one instead of the Firefly if they weren't but distant, rusted out memories around here.

[ecomodded]

I would choose the VW TDI , but from the Honda's I would choose the Insight and get Solar Panels for it and try to use electric mode as much as possible.

[user removed]

I've owned both. The Insight had 35k miles when I bought it but it was a CVT. Sold it with 62k miles. $6000 worth of warranty work.

The 94 (made in 93) VX was a once in a lifetime opportunity, in 2008 it had 27,492 miles. I was hit hard in the rear end when it was about 2years old and kept in a climate controlled environment for 13 years and used to train insurance adjusters. I drove it on the original tires for 10 k miles. Sold it at 62k with a salvage title for $4k, almost a break even from the purchase costs.

I did not vote, both cars are great but the warranty issues with the Insight convinced me to sell it before the warranty period ran out. The VX is now a 20 year old car and some parts are becoming unobtanium. To me that rules out both cars for me. At my age I don't need to mess with that old a car and my Fiesta has been pushing 47+ MPG with the automated manual.

regards
Mech

[sheepdog 44]

If only we could combine the two into Toyota's FT-BH!

"Sub-1,800-pound curb weight, 0.235 coefficient of drag, two-cylinder one-liter gas engine on the Atkinson cycle, lithium-ion batteries for it's hybrid drive system."

[NachtRitter]

Between the two options, I'd choose the Insight, provided it is the 1st gen with 5-speed. But if the choices weren't constrained, I'd go with the MkIV TDI ... oh wait, I already did.

[Ryland]

I am asking because I found someone who is willing to trade there insight for my vx!
miles are about the same, over 200,000 on each, condition is compatible, the insight has a grid charger that he installed because he owned it for a different insight and installed it on this one after selling the first one, my vx came from a rust free state and is in great shape aside from clear coat getting thin and the start of the standard rust, everything else is tight and solid.

I like the idea of a car that will never rust out.

2nd option is collector plates and insurance and a 2nd VX that I already own as a winter car.

[user removed]

Originally Posted by Ryland

I am asking because I found someone who is willing to trade there insight for my vx!
miles are about the same, over 200,000 on each, condition is compatible, the insight has a grid charger that he installed because he owned it for a different insight and installed it on this one after selling the first one, my vx came from a rust free state and is in great shape aside from clear coat getting thin and the start of the standard rust, everything else is tight and solid.

I like the idea of a car that will never rust out.

2nd option is collector plates and insurance and a 2nd VX that I already own as a winter car.

Under those specific circumstances I would always choose the VX. The older the car the less options you want, since many go to the crusher due to the options (like power windows) not working. wont pass inspection in VA if drivers window is inop.

regards
Mech

[MetroMPG]

Could you explain option 2?

Don't forget the Insight has steel parts that are rusting, including brake & fuel lines. I know a local owner who has had to relace them.

[Ryland]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Could you explain option 2?

Don't forget the Insight has steel parts that are rusting, including brake & fuel lines. I know a local owner who has had to relace them.

Any idea on the cost to replace the rusted out brake lines?

My option two is based off the idea that I'm spending around $600 per year on insurance for full coverage for my 1993 civic VX, it's old enough to be a "collector" vehicle and get insurance from a company that covers vehicles with collector plates, after checking off the boxes that say I'd drive it to work some times and put as many miles on it that I do already they gave me a quote of $220 per year for the same coverage I have now.
I recently bought back my old, 1992 VX that is very rusty, needs an axle, upper control arm an brake work, I figure $200 in parts and an afternoon working on it and I'll have a winter car for when the collector plates do not allow me to drive.
Cost to insure both vehicles under this plan would be around $450 per year, saving $150 or about the same as the fuel savings I'd get from owning an Insight, of course at that point I'd own two cars, so I'd have one to loan out.