What's InsightCentral's "culture" like? - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

MetroMPG · 04-20-2011, 04:34 PM

For those who frequent it, I'd appreciate your take on the culture of the place.

I ask because I have seen references to certian modification topics being banned (is banned too strong a word?), and noted that Wayne G's account appears to have been deleted at some point.

Just looking for some "local knowledge" before venturing into new lands.

Like a good travel book.

roflwaffle · 04-20-2011, 05:01 PM

I think Wayne's account being banned/deleted is more of a plus than a minus in terms of the culture. In my experience, and this is coming from someone who can be quite an asshole, he outdoes me by a long shot.

MetroMPG · 04-20-2011, 05:09 PM

OK. Sounds like that incident may have been more of a personality clash than subject matter related?

I also saw reference to MIMA discussion being verboten. Yet I have seen references to other hacks & mods.

So, just a little confused.

Don't want to upset the locals if there's an "anti modifications" culture, like CMPG has shown.

roflwaffle · 04-20-2011, 05:18 PM

That's my guess based on my interactions with him, but I could be wrong. It's probably best to ask him or the mods about it.

It looks like MIMA stuff is regulated because of discussion on voiding the manufacturer's warranty, probably because the site owner/s don't want to deal with any legal crap from Honda (From what I've seen VW is a lot like this too).

MetroMPG · 04-20-2011, 05:30 PM

Thanks.

Ironically, after being urged repeatedly in that thread to read the forum rules, the link provided doesn't work.

Quote:

No Thread specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the administrator.

(Of course the actual rules thread isn't missing. Just that link is busted. Forum migration/upgrade bug, I guess.)

roflwaffle · 04-20-2011, 05:35 PM

Yeah, no one ever updates links. It looks like the forum is owned by a company that has a bunch of other forums and a probably very touchy about getting shut down, even temporarily, since it means no ad revenue.

RobertSmalls · 04-20-2011, 06:58 PM

The forum culture is ... different. It's much better since the owners/supermoderators have abandoned the place. They were uptight about MIMA because: MIMA voids your IMA warranty, most Insight owners will need to use their IMA warranty or pay $3000 for a battery (at a time when there was little talk of DIY), and instructions were provided for hiding the modification from the dealership. That, and the developer of MIMA stood to make some money on the transaction.

The admins' decision to ban discussion of hiding MIMA from the dealer is a fair one, as is the policy of holding vendors to higher standards than regular posters. However, banning the use of "The M-Word" was ridiculous and draconian.

I wasn't around for the banishment of Xcel, but I suspect the fact that he owned and operated a fuel economy forum may have created friction. I'm not sure you have to remain closeted, though: it's not against the rules AFAIK, and the owners don't come around often. If you start posting excessive links to EcoModder, though, that makes you a vendor in my mind.

Anyway, that's all history. Presently, MIMA and other mods are discussed freely. There is a small but very healthy community of Insight modders, and also a very large number of Insight owners who would never consider a mod even as small as ditching the license plate holder.

MetroMPG · 04-20-2011, 07:45 PM

Right! The front plate holder. Forgot about that.

I don't particularly care about promoting EM there. But obviously my interest is going to be in modifications. Glad to hear it's not frowned upon. Didn't want to upset the apple cart.

I don't know when the buyout happened, but I assume the disappearance of the "old" admins/mods probably coincided with the arrival of the corporate masters.

Thanks for the perspective.

RH77 · 04-20-2011, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Right! The front plate holder. Forgot about that.

I don't particularly care about promoting EM there. But obviously my interest is going to be in modifications. Glad to hear it's not frowned upon. Didn't want to upset the apple cart.

I don't know when the buyout happened, but I assume the disappearance of the "old" admins/mods probably coincided with the arrival of the corporate masters.

Thanks for the perspective.

I've gotten some good tips from experienced users, but I've really felt "lost" when it comes to really tweaking FE. That, and there's always this kind of stuff going on...

A custom exhaust, really? Really.

RH77

EDIT: The front license plate and holder actually saved some serious damage by absorbing the impact from roofing material that fell off a tractor-trailer on the highway. It's all crinkled and bent now, but better that than the bumper / radiator / etc.

bwilson4web · 04-21-2011, 01:34 AM

A Prius owner, I don't have a dog in that fight, but I sure appreciate having sensible forums like Ecomodder.com around. But for my hardcore, Prius technical fix, I usually hang with the YahooGroups, "Prius_Technical_Stuff" and "toyota-prius." I'm not pimping these sites, it really has a different flavor than Ecomodder, but was wondering if there is a YahooGroup for the Insight(s)?

You know, we choose our friends and I sure like hangin' with you' all.

Bob Wilson