Honda Insight Hybrid Question

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Mide

Golden Member
Mar 27, 2008
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So I've been looking at prices of random hybrid cars and I noticed a pattern with Honda Insights...there is a huge used market with low prices meaning that a lot of users didn't want 'em and got rid of the cars without driving them much. I'm talking a bunch of 17k-30k miles selling for around $14k

I know that in general the Prius is better quality than the Insight but other than that is there some well known reason why peeps don't like these cars?
 

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
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I would say that it comes down the Prius being the standard bearer for all hybrid cars - it owns the market. It's the first car that comes to mind for the majority of people - that alone drives demand.

I don't think the Insight a bad car at all - I think the Prius bests in some areas, but the fact that the Insight significantly undercuts the price of the Prius more than makes up for it.....

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests...010_toyota_prius_comparison_test/viewall.html
http://www.edmunds.com/toyota/prius/2010/comparison-test1.html
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,107
600
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Probably off-lease vehicles.

I would concur that it isn't that there's a quality problem; just that as hybrids go the Prius is just better as it has a more sophisticated hybrid drive and consequently gets better fuel economy.
 

Atrail

Diamond Member
Apr 20, 2001
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I have one and purchased it for the same reasons you are looking at them.
Significantly cheaper than Prius, great value.
I drive a lot, mostly highway average 46-48 mpg.
There is not much headroom in the back for taller passengers.
When you roll down one window in the car above 30mph there it causes air vibrations in car (crack another window down and it goes away).
Those are my only knocks, great car.
 

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
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Prius is a Lexus compared to the Insight. That's not really a knock against the Insight, it's obviously designed purely from an economic standpoint. It drives well, is very light, and gets outstanding fuel economy. It's just kind of cheap/tinny feeling. But in my book, that's not an issue if you know what to expect and don't mind trading a little bit of noise for the economic factors.
 

gus6464

Golden Member
Nov 10, 2005
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It's crazy how a fully loaded Insight with Nav is still 2k cheaper than the entry level Prius Two.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,107
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Prius is a Lexus compared to the Insight. That's not really a knock against the Insight, it's obviously designed purely from an economic standpoint. It drives well, is very light, and gets outstanding fuel economy. It's just kind of cheap/tinny feeling. But in my book, that's not an issue if you know what to expect and don't mind trading a little bit of noise for the economic factors.
Is the Insight that much different? I've only been in a gen2 Prius and in the 10 minutes I was in the thing it struck me as having a cheap interior and being tinny too. I would say the interior of my CR-Z is much better and the car doesn't feel tinny at all.
 

Zor Prime

Golden Member
Nov 7, 1999
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Yea on Insight forums there's just all shades of people bitching about the quality, reliability of their Insights .... I tell ya what ... that massive recall number of "0" is such a bitch, too.
 
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jaedaliu

Platinum Member
Feb 25, 2005
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The insight was designed to be a Prius killer. I'm pretty sure they thought they succeeded. Especially with the price they set. They were meeting their sales goals, then Toyota released the new Prius 6 months later and nobody bought the insights any more.
 

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
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Yea on Insight forums there's just all shades of people bitching about the quality, reliability of their Insights .... I tell ya what ... that massive recall number of "0" is such a bitch, too.

Eh, I don't think anyone is saying the Insight isn't a very good vehicle, it's just that it's obviously a cheap/light/economy focused vehicle. The Prius is just a different league. Terribly boring imho, but the interior/noise/feel is of a higher standard for those who care about that kind of thing.
 

lakedude

Platinum Member
Mar 14, 2009
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I've got a MT Civic Hybrid which I consider to be superior to the new Insight, if for no other reason the manual transmission. I'm not a big fan of Honda's belt CVT but that is the only transmission they offer on their hybrids now.

I think my car is bigger, nicer and gets similar or maybe even better mileage than the new Insight as well. I honestly don't know what Honda was thinking.

My Honda has been a great car and I'd buy another just like it (with a manual) if they were available. Instead my next vehicle will more than likely be a Prius or Camry Hybrid.

The Camry seems the best of all worlds with great mileage and 200hp. My current car is a bit of a dog with under 100hp...
 
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