Help Selecting a car

I've test driven an Insight briefly before. Vs. the Prius liftback (aka regular Prius), there's no comparison, the Insight's way inferior in terms of refinement and the Honda IMA system is inferior. The Insight's slower and gets worse FE than the Prius c and liftback, see Consumer Reports - Fuel economy vs. performance and The most fuel-efficient cars.

Insight also has no electric AC compressor, so the engine must run in order for you to get cooling. Insight also still has belts, unlike the belt-less Prius family.

Honda's been making hybrids for ages and still can't seem to get their NiMH battery management right. See Salvage Traction Battery | PriusChat. The Civic Hybrid was involved in stuff like Fix for Civic hybrids' dying batteries may hurt gas mileage, acceleration - Los Angeles Times.

Go to Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity - Hybrid Electric Vehicles and look at the maint. histories of Honda hybrids vs. Toyota/Lexus hybrids. You'll probably notice some of the Honda hybrids needed transmission and/or cat replacements.

I would much rather buy a Prius liftback than an Insight, but the liftback is more $. I'd much rather have a Prius c over an Insight. There price delta there is less.

 

I heard the Honda Insight's engine remains ON if you want cold A/C during idle stops. This is dependant on the car mode you have selected. The Insight's mileage will suffer of course. The Prius has no issues with A/C at idle since it has a electrical A/C compressor. Cold A/C at idle with the engine off sounds to me like one BIG bonus point towards picking a Prius vs. a Insight...especially if your from a warm climate like me.

2012 Honda Insight

 

If you like the Volt so much maybe you should try to find Volt chat somewhere.I belive this is Prius chat not Volt. And there is a reason they have such big rebates nobody wants one not here and not anywhere look at there sales in the tank.It will be just like the EV1 history.I looked at one before Prius cost way to much poor fit and finish. I love my Prius GM should take note.

 

Gm-volt.com I believe is one of the main Volt discussion boards.

To me, fit, finish and interior of the Volt is fine. It drives just like an EV when not in charge sustain mode.

BTW, FWIW, the Insight and Prius c both scored too low to recommend by CR. PLENTY of discussion on the later. See these for example:

Honda Insight Disappoints | PriusChat
Honda:Honda Insight hybrid was an "unmitigated disaster" | PriusChat (funny Honda admission)
Consumer Reports twists the knife | PriusChat
2013 Toyota Prius C doesn't get much love from Consumer Reports | PriusChat
Consumer Report responds to criticism of their review | PriusChat

Toyota has also been decimating Honda in terms of hybrid sales. Take a look at September 2012 Dashboard | Hybrid Cars and December 2011 Dashboard: Sales Still Climbing | Hybrid Cars.

 

Hmmm, there is a Volt forum on PriusChat. I wonder why.

Btw, it is folks like you spreading misinformation that motivates me to talk to other Prius owners about the Volt.

Do you know that the Prius is the most traded in vehicle for new Volts?

It seems Prius owners are suckers for new technology, great engineering, and higher mpg.

I guess no one wants the Prius either since they are offering almost the same rebate, $2000 from Toyota vs the $2500 dealer incentive from GM.

 

As far as rebates yes Toyota has $2000.00 on the plug in only.The public is not willing to accept any plug in Leaf,Volt,Prius.You watch the Volt will flop as will Leaf and Prius plug in. Americans are lazy they want gas an go not plug and hang out.On top of the prices are still way to high.Im glad you like your Volt I truly hope more people feel the way you do and accept the plug in. For me I dont want the pain of plugging in im not lazy just way to busy.Best wishes to you and your Volt.

 

Actually, many of us enjoy John's insight and experience with the Volt.

 

Dang, I didn't realize plugging in overnight was such a pain.

Actually I do realize that it really is a pain for a lot of folks, particularily those that live in apartments and condos, so a plug-in is not for everyone. For those that can plug-in, its a great way to save money, Prius Plug In, Volt, Leaf, iMiev, or whatever.

 

Its the added electricity bill that worries me about a plug-in. Plus, its too new a technology. I'll let the competitors fight it out until the prices drop on the cars. Who knows, the plug in might not take off.....again.

 

If your worried about $0.40 to charge a PiP, or a $1.30 to charge a Volt, you may need to wait awhile.

 

Well you should be able to easily estimate the costs and historically electricity pricing has been far more stable.
APS provides special EV rates for arisona
Alternative Fuels Data Center: Arizona Incentives and Laws for Vehicle Owner/Driver

 

Jazz- I always check with Consumer Reports as a first step, but I don't think Insight is a "Prius killer". In other words, nobody yet can give Toyota a run for their money. Check out monthly sales stats under the Hybrid News forum (next forum down on Prius Chat). Hope this strikes a diminished 7th chord. Some think FORD has some good small hybrids that *might* be Prius killers someday. Insight did not do it.