I'm single so the size of the Insight was not an issue like it is for most of the other responders. I tried to buy an Insight but the dealer never got one with a manual transmission.

I am happy with the Honda Civic Hybird and actually like it more than I would have been with the Insight. One thing that always bugged me is that the Insight lacks cruise control. The HCH comes pretty much loaded and is slightly cheaper than the other hybrids. I like my Civic a lot more than I thought I would, it is great little car.

 

lakedude, i agree - lack of cruise control also kept me away from the insight - sometimes i just get lazy

although, i believe car and driver installed aftermarket cruise control on their long term fleet honda insight - i read an article about it within the past year

 

Basically, the Insight is just butt-ugly.

 

Is it possible for the insight to become a 4 door with cruise control? How much better mpg would the civic get if they put those panels over the tires?

 

Also the Insight is such a limited production model that maintenance might become an issue. I like the fact that many of the parts on the HCH are the same as a regular Civic so parts should be a lot easier to find.

The Insight's uniqueness could be viewed as a plus depending on your point of view. They may be worth a fortune someday because not very many have been made. Personally I prefer a more mainstream car.

The Insight's stereo was a joke. I can't speak for later models but back in 2002 the sound was similar to a AM transistor radio. Just aweful.

Of course you could put in a better stereo and you could add aftermarket cruise if those were the only things holding you back.

 

Who knows in 20 years imagine a factory fresh stored one with very low mileage going at auction for $150K.

Well that's quite a stretch I've made but sure would kick myself!

 

The Insight was about the same price as the HCH and only had two seats. I was replacing my 2000 New Beetle and wanted better mileage and four doors.

 

Insight was my first choice, and I could even live with a 2-seater. Problem is, for me, the Insight is a 1-seater! I am 6' tall and 325 lbs and, although I CAN squeeze into an insight - the weight capacity of that car is listed as 360 lbs. This leaves 35 lbs for the other passenger & cargo. I don't know how strict that weight limit is - but I can't imagine you'd want to go over it often - if ever. BTW - along the same lines - my Prius is a 3-seater, as most of my passengers are 210+. Prius weight limit is 825.

 

I just remembered another one. While I personally did not care about the small size and uniqueness of the Insight I was concerned about the resale market. I don't need more than one bathroom in a house because I'm single but I'd never buy a house that did not have 2 bathrooms because of the resale market. That same basic thing makes the Civic way better than the Insight. I know the market for Insights is really good right now but this may not always be the case. The Insight market is a niche. On the other hand the Civic Hybrid is so normal it would sell to both people in the hybrid market and also to people who just want a Civic.

 

Hi Lakedude:

___Although the Insight is a specialty vehicle, you sure would have loved the FE you could have received in one. That being said, a used Insight did some magnificent things for me and not just in the FE department either! Here is the breakdown …

2000 Red 5-speed w/ A/C and a 7 Yr./100,000 mile warranty cost $10,000.
2000 Red 5-speed w/ A/C and a 7 Yr./100,000 mile warranty sold for $9,695.00
State tax and registration: $735.00
Fuel used 401.92 gallons after 37K miles: $734.10.
Insurance cost over 1.4 years: $500
(6) Oil changes $65 for Mobil1 0W-20, $13.00 for SuperTech’s filters, and $9.3x for each change at the local Honda dealership (first one free): $125
Repairs: 1 cracked windscreen and 1 replacement RE92 (screw in the sidewall): $374.00

Depreciation: $305
TTL: $735
Fuel:$734
Insurance: $500
Maintenance: $125
Repair: $374

Total: $2,773

Cost/mile. $2,773/37K miles = $.075/mile. Nothing and I mean nothing other then another used Insight 5-speed could touch this after that many miles. A new one at $20K +? Not a chance

___I do follow TCO (True Cost to Own/Total Cost of Ownership) and that is why my latest includes the Accord. I loaded her up which isn’t a good thing to keep total costs down but I really like the semi-lux appointments as well as its best in class - emissions rating, great FE for this large an automobile, and it is a 4-door sedan. I still miss my Insight including its outrageous FE, outrageous range, and various FCD’s however. No matter how much the Accord’s FE will improve, it will never approach that of my old Insight.

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net