Looked at Hondas today.

Re: Looked at Honda's today.

I've always liked Honda's, and in fact, still have one in the family. So last year when Honda announce the release of the all new Insight, I was excited to go see and test drive. Your comments about the size in the back seat are right on the money. I had exactly the same impression - what were they thinking? While I did like the exterior styling of the Insight slightly more than my 2010 Prius, I was not impressed with the Insight's interior. Not at all. Very plain/dull. Personally, I am one consumer who loves Toyota's "flying-bridge" design. It's new. It's fresh, and it tells me (unlike the Insight, or the Fusion Hybrid), that I'm driving something DIFFERENT. But the clincher, was the mpgs. As I wrote one editor who was down playing the Prius compared to the Fusion Hybrid (he said the Fusion had this and that feature over the Prius, etc) - I told him that I thought he missed the whole point of buying a hybrid. My guess is that the majority of hybrid owners, are mainly interested in the mpg's. If it wasn't (mainly) about mpgs, why go hybrid in the first place? But for the American consumer who wnats to buy a hybrid car that looks, feels and smells just like a regualr ordinary 4 door sedan, the Fusion Hybrid is for them. IMO, there is absolutley NOTHING exciting, or that stands out as new and innovative in either the Fusion or Insight hybrid cars.

When looking at the Prius versus the Insight or Fusion Hybrid, I think the Prius comes out on top in the following important (to me) categories:

(1) MPG's
(2) Reliability (both the Insight and Fusion hybrids are new, so it remains to be seen if they can surpass Toyota reliability - i have my doubts).
(3) Room and flexibility. Hard to beat a hatchback for flexibility (not avbailable with the Fusion). The Insight is all-around smaller than the prius.

 

Re: Looked at Honda's today.

Honda hybrid system is a joke and has nothing on Prius. They had a great car with the early insight but then discontinued it at some point in a very bad marketing decision. Just look at the past versus current MPG.

Why isn't there a Honda gas-powered car that gets 55+ MPG like the old CRX HFs? It's sick. If Honda made these things in the past, they could make them even better now. Honda should have a hybrid that gets 80+ MPG if they maintained and promoted their earlier technological breakthroughs.

The current crop of Honda hybrids reflects poor business decisions, and Honda itself has lost stature and quality. Even the flagship Acura body designs look horrible. On the plus side, I think Honda will come back with something great in the next couple years. I have faith, but would definitely go with Toyota for now.

 

Re: Looked at Honda's today.

Ok, I"m also 5'10" and 200lb. I loved my 2006 Civic Coupe and wanted a Civic Hybrid so bad, but the fact that the seats don't fold was a deal breaker! I had bought large things at the store and could easily fold down my coupe's seat and take it home without needing a truck. I then waited for the Insight with much anticipation but was disappointed at its lack of power and as you mentioned, rear seat space. I then waited some 3-4 months for the 2010 Prius and have never been happier! If you can, convince her on the 2010 and you'll never look back.

Think about it like this. I once took a 5-6 feet lime tree and pecan tree in the family's 2008 Prius. I recently got in an accident (not my fault) and was able to remove my 2010's rear bumpr and carry it inside with the rear seat down, all the while having some space to carry an upright carseat in the trunk, and with plenty of room for a rear passenger to seat comfortably.

 

Re: Looked at Honda's today.

say it aint so!

 

Re: Looked at Honda's today.

Don't go bashing Honda too much right now. At least they haven't halted sales of the majority of their vehicles.

Honda went for a cheaper, less sophisticated Hybrid system and it has not worked out as well as Toyota. That being said, Honda sells a lot of Hybrids when you look at all hybrid manufacturers. So it hasn't been a total failure.

I am a long time Honda owner as well, and wanted the Insight to be *the car*, but it didn't come close. I've had a 2010 Prius for 3 months and am happy so far.

 

Re: Looked at Honda's today.

But as most Honda Odysee owners (with more than 100K miles) will confirm - get ready to replace your transmission. oh, and we're not talking about a handful of incidents like we are in this recall, but 1,000's of defective trannies. google Honda transmission, and see what pops up.

 

Re: Looked at Honda's today.

I agree about Honda's poor decisions. I keep thinking about the 6 cylinder Accord hybrid. That was such a terrible move. A 6-cylinder family sedan with a hybrid engine?

 

Re: Looked at Honda's today.

My sister-in-law has been cursing her Honda Pilot. She has put so much money into repairs.

 

Re: Looked at Honda's today.

Ditto that....I had a 2000 Acura 3.2 TL...I will let you in on a little known secret...in 2002 Honda issued a TSB and had to replace 15,000 transmissions under warranty. I was one of them. I have never in any other car (and I have had 7 of them) had to have a "new car" transmission replaced.

 

Re: Looked at Honda's today.

I agree about the insight back seat room but this was not the deal breaker for me, rather I carry a small kid in the back seat and without a rear seat arm rest or cup holders I ask you where would the kid's juice go? If you are a parent who likes to keep stains off the seats you know why this was a deal breaker.

I actually preferred the looks and driving dynamics of the Insight over the Prius but...
Consumer Reports (who gave the car an unacceptable rating) and Motortrend agree that the Insight is not one of Honda's best efforts...one publication I read stated the Honda felt half baked and I agree it needed more development to be a true Honda dynamically. I am sure they will adress some issues in a near term update.

Who knows maybe they will add a rear seat arm rest and cup holders!

 

Re: Looked at Honda's today.

My kids are welcome to *throw* their drinks at each other for all I care. A bit of water will not hurt the car.

 

Re: Looked at Honda's today.

I used to drive a Honda CRX. They were great little cars, but there is no way they would work with todays safety and emission requirements.

The original Insight was essentially an updated version of the CRX, with the addition of engine shutoff, regenerative braking, and modern emissions and safety features. Apparently Honda didn't sell enough of them to continue the model.

Tom

 

Re: Looked at Honda's today.

Jut thought I'd Chime in here as I own both a 2010 Honda Insight and a 2002 Toyota Prius. First of all, I will tell you that the main two reasons I went with the Insight over a new Prius are 1) I like driver-side instrument panel and 2) cheaper price-tag.

At first I was under the impression that the Insight would not get as good of fuel economy as the Prius, but was a sacrifice I was willing to make since it was only a few mpg. However, after owning the car I have discovered that it consistently beats the EPA estimates and my typical fuel economy is 50 mpg. My 2002 Prius still gets 42 mpg and everyone I know that has a 2nd or 3rd gen Prius gets around 50 mpg or less. I chat with people over on the Honda Insight forums everyday and I hear the same story, that the Insight always does better than the EPA. Which means that as far as fuel economy goes, there really is no difference in the Insight and Prius.

 

Re: Looked at Honda's today.

My wife just bought an Insight today--largely because of the Honda dealer incentive going on right now. The price for the base Insight was about $3K cheaper than the Prius, around $18K, which is about the price of a used 08 Prius. At that price, I think the Insight is a bargain. She's a Civic driver, and the Insight is more Honda than Toyota--and less of a transition.

The technology may be different, but the end result is the same. The mileage is probably similar to my 08 Prius, from what I've read. There is an eco mode similar to the 10 Prius, which guides you in economy driving. The dash is more conventional. Keyed ignition and gearshift on center console. Better styling than my 08 on the outside, but similar lines. A bit smaller inside.

 

Re: Looked at Honda's today.

My boyfriend and I test drove an insight this last weekend. I have my 2010 V of course, and love the crap out of it, but he likes the insight. I drove it and it was a lot more fun that I thought it would be. I kind of liked the paddle shifters and the simulated feel that was possible. It's not as efficient, but it's not bad on the environment, and the price is excellent. I'm probably going to be getting it for him next Christmas.

 

Re: Looked at Honda's today.

The safety equipment that we add to cars these days makes it nigh impossible to have a lightweight, efficient car. The original Insight was so light that you could swap a K-series Honda motor (good for over 200 hp measured at the wheels) in it and still get 48 mpg.

The K-Sight on Honda tuning cover - Tampa Racing

A car is a hell of a Christmas present.

 

Re: Looked at Honda's today.

He's wonderful though. I'd give him the world if I could.