Prius VS 1st Gen Insight

[Magician]

So... a few questions. Does the 1st Gen Insight still hypermile better than a Prius? I met a guy that lives up quite a high Bluff... he owns a 2010 Prius that is averaging 76 MPG in the Summer months. He does hypermile it, but not ridiculously slow. He took me for a 10 mile ride including the hills and he was around the 76 mpg mark... impressive. I like the aesthetics of the 1st Gen insight better, but if they are really close in MPG's in hypermiling, I'm thinking I may go Prius instead since it has more capacity for passengers and cargo. Anyone have any feedback on the subject?

[redpoint5]

I get about 51 MPG in my 2012 Prius in gas mode, but I don't think my tires are aligned properly or very efficient. Maybe I'd get 55 if I fixed those things.

Since I have the plug in, I'm averaging around 75 MPG.

I wouldn't let the decision between 50 and 75 MPG dictate which car you get. I'd get the vehicle that fits your utilitarian needs.

[MetroMPG]

A 1st gen 5-speed Insight will beat a Prius in the hands of a dedicated hypermiler.

They also respond proportionately better to mods (which expand its ultra-efficient lean burn mode). Mine was returning well over 100 MPG US cruising at 50 mph in summer weather (on a level road). 100 MPG+ round trips were common for me, and most of the time I owned the car, hybrid electic assist was intentionally disabled.

But also consider: the newest 1st gen Insights are now 10 years old, and they come with the usual 10 year-old car problems, plus specific Insight issues.

FYI:

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

- http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ius-22514.html

[Daox]

I agree with Darin. 76 mpg in a 2010 Prius is really doing quite insanely good. 76 mpg in the Insight is going to take effort, but isn't that difficult to do.

[Natalya]

The real question here is do you have fun hypermiling? Is it fun to try to get the highest MPG possible?

If the answer is yes go G1 Insight.

The G1 is an interesting car because it's very unique. Drive one to a parking lot at a strip mall and look around. The G1 Insight will be:
- Rarest car
- Only aluminum car
- Lightest car
- Smallest car
- Best fuel economy
- Most aerodynamic

There's a couple exceptions where you know if there's a Ferrari it's going to be more rare or in some dimensions a Smart Car is smaller, or if there's a Honda NSX in the lot then that car is also aluminum, but overall you're going to win all of those 6 categories at least 95% of the time.

G3 Prius is all right. Handling is kinda bad and it can't accelerate worth a damn, but it's safe and reliable and economical. But a G2 Insight handles better and does almost the same MPG and costs much less compared to a G3 Prius with the same miles. G3 Prius is a little nicer inside than a G2 Insight unless maybe you get an EX trim G2. Anyway if you look at the G3 Prius also have a look for G2 Insights you can probably get a better deal.

G1 Insight of course is smaller than the other two cars and can't carry as much. If you need the utility then get one of the bigger cars. But, and I've driven a G2 Prius, G3 Prius, and I own a G2 Insight, hands down the G1 Insight is the most fun to drive. The other three cars are boring.

[Magician]

That's the feedback is was looking for. I appreciate the detailed info. I'll Likely get a G1 Insight for myself and a Prius for my wife. In due time I'll keep my Civic VX Hatchback as a spare car... it's a keeper for life... it's like one of my children... since 2002.

[roflwaffle]

The only exception to what everyone else has mentioned is that my G1 mpg can dip below the mpg of my Prius if I'm in a lot of higher speed stop and go with heavy AC use. The efficiency advantage of the bigger pack and all electric AC compressor is enough to offset the lower weight and CdA of the G1, but only in those circumstances.

[vskid3]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I wouldn't let the decision between 50 and 75 MPG dictate which car you get. I'd get the vehicle that fits your utilitarian needs.

This. You're well into the diminishing returns of better fuel economy when comparing a G1 Insight and a Prius. The Insight has a definite edge when it comes to long highway drives, but the Prius isn't too far behind, especially when you factor in the extra size/utility (if you need it).

Your plan of getting one of each will give you the best of both worlds. For most one car households, though, the Prius is probably a better fit (which is why I got rid of my Insight instead of Prius).

[sidecar]

Originally Posted by Daox

I agree with Darin. 76 mpg in a 2010 Prius is really doing quite insanely good. 76 mpg in the Insight is going to take effort, but isn't that difficult to do.

I remember a Japanese teacher that recorded 112mpg
supposed to be Guinness Record approved
cant find the details but did find this

https://priuschat.com/threads/top-20...olders.112709/

and this is mine. 56mpg US. 67.26 IMP


realistically, I think when you in the 70mpg+ bracket, maybe the car you prefer is trumps

[Magician]

I just bought my wife a used 2008 Prius with 315,000 miles... Wow... what a car! This thing is quiet, smooth and drives as nice as a 2015 with 30,000 miles that I test drove recently. I kid you not. The first owner drove is from Kansas to Canada weekly, so he drove the $hit out of it on the highway. Everything works and Battery is strong. We averaged 47 MPG driving 77 MPH on a 50 mile trip with the tires all around 24psi... This was driving it home from where I bought it. I aired up the tires and the MPG's seem to be climbing a little bit with my wife driving it... she doesn't know how to hypermile it yet. I'll be teaching her. I think I'm going to buy one for myself!