Congratulations! I hope you post your impressions as you get to know the car. I'm wavering between the 2010 Prius and the Insight, so every bit of information I can get is appreciated.
I went back and forth going between buying a 2010 Prius or Honda Insight. Took a test drive of the Insight 4 days ago, decided not to purchase it, then took a harder look at the 2010 Prius and finally bought the 2010 Insight anyway, after a more indepth test drive. Got the Spectrum White Pearl EX, no Nav for me this time. My choice of this vehicle over the Prius was a matter of simple cost. Like the looks of the Prius except for the upper center gauge, but I just know its going to cost me lots more (Over MSRP) for a brand new car year and the Honda Insight was purchased from a Dealer that I have been doing business with for many years and they gave me a good out the door price ( Slightly under MSRP ), not great, but fair, so I decided to save about $4,500 or so over the Prius. Price of course will depend on how much the Toyota dealership will jack up the final cost and they have in the past here in Florida. Only down side to the Insight is the smaller back seat area and luckly for me, no family. First day after topping off the gas tank, I got about 53 mpg on a very very short 3 mile drive from the gas station to my home ( No traffic lights ). Later when there was more traffic, I'm now averaging about 37 mpg driving without the ECON being turned on and not bothering to watch my driving. Just driving like I would with a none Hybrid, just to see what the Computer shows me. As we all know, the onboard computer is not going to give use an exact but approx MPG only. Oh well, I know I will miss a Prius but I am happy thus far with my selection. My first Hybrid. Good luck to those that purchase the 2010 Prius
The price for the 2010 Prius isn't announced yet. How did you figure that number? I'll be more careful with the use of the word "save". It may turn out the 2010 Prius will give you more bang for the buck. In that case, you simply decided to spend less (and got less). That's not the same as "saving" you money, which implied that you got the same for less.
I finally had the chance to drive one this past weekend. I took it for a 4.5 mile trip and got around 54 MPG in it. I liked the car for what it is, but it's not the market for me. I couldn't sit in the back seat comfortably, and at 5'10", my head was hitting the roof. The rear headrests have got to be one of the most uncomfortable things ever created. First they dig into your back, then they hold your head up in an awkward way. Like I said, I'm not the market for this car. Should be good for single, young folks. I'm pretty sure I could've gotten at least 70 MPG in the 2010 Prius on that 4.5 mile stretch
$4500 mentioned is about one will pay for a almost fully loaded Prius over an Insight. Priuses, specially the new one, will be way up there in cost with a level IV, not to mention the dealer jacking up the original MSRP for this model for awhile as has been the experiences here in Florida. An EX Insight before taxes, fees and add on's cost me only $21,273.00, and I dare anyone telling me a 2010 Prius will go for that amount. With my Dealer, the are charging others, not me, a whopping $1,000 over MSRP for the LX and $2,000 over MSRP for the EX model. Then we add on all the other stuff. My out the door cost was $24,261.62 Fog lights Mud guards Tinted Windows Cargo Tray Cargo Cover Leather St Wheel Door Edge Guard Floor Mats Xzilon Free 4 Free Oil Changes Sales Tax 483.42 Gov Agencies 2.00 Document Fee 72.00 Registration Fee 256.50 Florida Tag Agency 40.00 Lead Battery Disposal 1.50 Tire Disposal Fee 5.00 Lead Battery Disposal 5.00 Lic Transfer fee 213.00 Doc stamp 72.10 Florida Service Fee $599.00. And no, there is absolutely no way to get away from this in Florida
Comparing a loaded Prius to a loaded Insight is just... not right. A loaded Insight is comparable only to 09 Prius package #2 ($24k). With Insight, you can are missing out on these major options: - HID - Leather Seats - Smart Key System - Backup Camera A loaded Insight costs less because it comes with very limited options. I still congratulate you because it looks like you customized the way you wanted and got the price you wanted to pay.
I wonder how the Insight will compare to the Prius for resale value? Depreciation is the real cost of buying a car. If it depreciates more it actually costs you more when it's time to replace it.
In the US at least, the most marked depreciation is on the optional higher trim stuff. I think OP drove the current gen (2) Prius. He'll know in about a month whether he will be the unfortunate victim of buyer's remorsitis.
I too bought an Insight II EX/Navi all done, I paid about $24,700 averaging 45mpg now; Prius averaged 48mpg BTW: Sold my 2005 Prius gen II Pkg#6 w/102ooo miles for $6500/cash
Well Honda in general are not that great had a 2006 Civic, EX with navi, 1 year later, 19K miles still mint was lucky to get 14K, so now stay away from them
Wait until you go through Summer and Winter (extreme temp). We can then compare the full year average of the Insight to your previous Prius MPG. 2010 Prius will definitely kick butt in Winter MPG with the Exhaust Heat Recovery. All hybrids can recover braking energy (some faster and more than others) but to recovery heat to shut down the gas engine longer is the next step.
I prefer to buy cars for longevity, not 1-year-old resale value. Honda is great for this, though I have every reason to expect the same from Toyota.
John, you can wait. The winter just passed. I know there are a lot of new toys in Prius to experience. I can not wait how well the Insight does in very hot and cold weather. I can imagine the Insight gas engine keep running because the A/C is gas powered.
T he problem with mine was the interior was crap every slight touch the plastic turned a nasty whitish mark, and the cloth i had the black turned gray, non of my cars ever looked that bad in 6 months( check the honda forums)The pruis is 5 years old and is mint.. never again Honda.
