2010 Honda Insight

[trikkonceptz]

Hey gang ..

I am looking to trade in my 2007 Camry Hybrid for a 2010 Honda Insight.

I have done research putting the Insight and the Prius in a side by side comparison and I know what the Prius can do. It's biggest drawback is price based on the amenities I am looking for. The Honda wins hands down in my case.

I know the insight has its limitations, but I want to hear from those who own them or know of them. My biggest concerns are how to optimize use of the electric motor. I have no fear that I can average more than 50mpg out of the insight, but wanted to know about the overall experience of owning one.

Thank you

[MetroMPG]

I'd PM Rick - RH77. He's got one, and will have lots to say about it, if you can hook him.

Here's his thread: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ght-11780.html

Not sure if that helps.

All else being equal, I'd get the Prius for its EV mode, mostly for future powertrain hacking possibilities. But you've got your reasons! Fair enough.

[trikkonceptz]

Thank you for that, I hope to take up where he left off after this weekend ... I'll keep you posted on Monday ...

The way I look at it, if I was able to push my Camry above 47mpg with mostly highway traffic driving, 50mpg should be no problem with me and the insight ..

Have a great weekend ..

[MetroMPG]

No problem. Have a good one yourself.

Looking forward to your results with the car!

[trikkonceptz]

Well guys ... Say goodbye to the Lady in Red, the Camry is no more. The wife and I are now proud owners of a Honda Insight.

It is new, we bought it in Silver and it is the EX model non navigation. Price on the car was $18864 before tax tag etc ... We got a great deal on the car ..

Now my first reviews about the vehicle;

-It is a totally different driving experience compared to the Camry or the Prius. For one, it does not have a dedicated EV mode. It constantly runs the gas engine until you come to a complete stop. At that time the engine shuts off religiously.

-It's fuel efficiency then comes from the assist that the electric motor gives it throughout its speed range.

-It has an EV mode which restricts engine performance and optimizes the a/c for efficiency but reduces coasting distance by increasing brake regen, kinda dumb but not so bad really.

-As far as looks, it kills the Prius, the inside and outside are a nicer car.

-Underneath it has a front pan that covers the entire engine up to and past the front suspension and aside from the exhaust has a flat pan all the way to the back, so underneath it is a very clean car ...

-Dealers should be sued for what they do to your tires. I got the vehicle home and checked all four corners to discover that I was running @ 28psi at all four corners ... That changed, running 50 psi fronts, 44psi rear.

With 200 miles on the clock already, I am averaging 50.4 mpg highway. I am hoping that as I get more comfortable with the car, change fluids to synthetic and break it in I should be able to sustain 55 mpg or better. One can hope.

It is going in for a leather seat upgrade and a navigation / bluetooth / dvd combo going in shortly after.

My plan is to slowly convince those that I know that a smaller car is more fun to drive and can save them alot of gas thus proving that for most large SUV's are not necessary. My wife is still baffled on how a smaller car can fit more than her Camry.

[endurance]

Congrats. I got out and played with a Civic Hybrid this weekend and was quite impressed. Honda's got the only 5 speed game in town, so it certainly appeals to me more, as I have excellent coasting opportunities in my commute and want to EOC at every chance. I agree, the Insight is a much better looking vehicle. I guess Honda also made a big move to improve their battery performance by becoming an owning partner with a major battery manufacturer in the last year, so that should help with their one shortcoming over the Prius.

Good luck and keep us up to date on your experience.

[Daox]

Congrats on the new car. I'd be very interested in driving an Insight II for a while now that I've had the Prius for a while just to see how they compare.

[euromodder]

48mpg right from the first tank, that definitely ain't bad !

[trikkonceptz]

This tank is averaging over 50 so far and I have had single trips that tip over 60mpg. For not having any kind of ev mode it is impressive. I cannot wait until the fuel blend changes again.

I was also reading into add ons and was intrigued by the following;

-I plan on lowering it, reports from other have seen increases in mpg's as high as 5mpg.

-The Mugen sport body kit designed by Honda also improves the mpg's of the car but they are hesitant to include hard numbers. They did show simulated wind tunnel graphics that show how they improve in small areas around the vehicle.

-Can't find a sole making wheel covers, so that may be my first serious mod project ...

About to hand over the reigns to the wife, so say goodbye to the high mpg's ....lol