New Honda Insight... Should I?

[Coach81]

I have a Nissan Frontier truck that is paid off, I average about $35.00 every 9 days in gas. I like my truck, it is running fine, it is a 2001 model with about 65k miles. But I've always been intrigued by Hybrids..

So should I invest in the new Honda Insight Hybrid to save gas? I test drove it today, I find in quite small, and kind of crampy compared to my truck, and obviously lacking in power compared to the Frontier.


Looking for feedback from present Insight owners.. and general comments and suggestions..

Should I, or shouldn't I????

 

[pixiewings71]

We just bought DBF a new car, we wanted to go hybrid but for us it just doesn't make sense right now.....hybrids are more $$, the environmental effects of the batteries they use has not been detetmined and there were other factors that for us made it not as worth it. One of our best friends has a Prius, it's a nice car but the gas savings were just not enough to justify the higher cost of the car. You should do a search for hybrid forums, Justin belongs to a few forums where they just talk about hybrids and the gas they save. It's pretty interesting to read. I don't remember which ones he goes to or I'd link them for you.....sorry.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I have a Nissan Frontier truck that is paid off, I average about $35.00 every 9 days in gas. I like my truck, it is running fine, it is a 2001 model with about 65k miles. But I've always been intrigued by Hybrids..

So should I invest in the new Honda Insight Hybrid to save gas? I test drove it today, I find in quite small, and kind of crampy compared to my truck, and obviously lacking in power compared to the Frontier.


Looking for feedback from present Insight owners.. and general comments and suggestions..

Should I, or shouldn't I????

If you are planning to get a loan, no way would I do it. Then again, I am a big Dave Ramsey advocate and have been listening to him when I could since 1993.

 

[disneymarie]

I have a Nissan Frontier truck that is paid off, I average about $35.00 every 9 days in gas. I like my truck, it is running fine, it is a 2001 model with about 65k miles. But I've always been intrigued by Hybrids..

So should I invest in the new Honda Insight Hybrid to save gas? I test drove it today, I find in quite small, and kind of crampy compared to my truck, and obviously lacking in power compared to the Frontier.


Looking for feedback from present Insight owners.. and general comments and suggestions..

Should I, or shouldn't I????

Not only the cramp quarters due to the battery, think about replacing that battery system, the savings is only when highway driving when it switches to cost save on the gas. The around town, you really do not see savings.

Better off with a 4 cy, 6 speed automatic, over drive for power and savings. Otherwise you are in a small car with a 1.6 cyl and cramped too.

 

[Cibahwewah]

We have a 2010 Insight. We average 41 mpg--we actually get higher mpg with more city driving, because braking charges the battery. We get less fuel efficiency with very hot or very cold weather from the fan running. We have taken a family of four on vacation with plenty of room for luggage, and it handles trips to Costco just fine. Now, don't buy a new car to save on gas, if your old car is paid for. That being said, we save $100 a month on gas and insurance savings, but the car payment is $300, so we are not coming out ahead. But we wanted a new car, and we feel this one works well for us.

 

[Golf4food]

Not only the cramp quarters due to the battery, think about replacing that battery system, the savings is only when highway driving when it switches to cost save on the gas. The around town, you really do not see savings.

Better off with a 4 cy, 6 speed automatic, over drive for power and savings. Otherwise you are in a small car with a 1.6 cyl and cramped too.

That is completely backwards. Hybrids get better mileage in stop and go traffic in city driving because you are going at lower speeds where the electric engine can be used and the gas does not kick in until higher highway speeds.


OP: You will be spending hundreds of dollars per month on a new vehicle to save a few dozen dollars per month on gas? Unless and until the current vehicle ceases to work that seems like a bad trade off financially.

The Insight does not get good reviews. Not nearly as good as the Prius. And frankly if you are used to a truck I'd recommend a hybrid SUV instead, such as the Ford Escape hyrbid, which is fantastic, and will still get you in the mid-30s mpg city and over 30 mpg highway, sit up higher like a truck, and have MUCH more room than an Insight or Prius. We have a regular Ford Escape and love it and only do not have the hybrid because for us to break even on the hybrid cost gas would need to cost $7.40 per gallon (yes, I did the math).

 

[Coach81]

That is completely backwards. Hybrids get better mileage in stop and go traffic in city driving because you are going at lower speeds where the electric engine can be used and the gas does not kick in until higher highway speeds.


OP: You will be spending hundreds of dollars per month on a new vehicle to save a few dozen dollars per month on gas? Unless and until the current vehicle ceases to work that seems like a bad trade off financially.

The Insight does not get good reviews. Not nearly as good as the Prius. And frankly if you are used to a truck I'd recommend a hybrid SUV instead, such as the Ford Escape hyrbid, which is fantastic, and will still get you in the mid-30s mpg city and over 30 mpg highway, sit up higher like a truck, and have MUCH more room than an Insight or Prius. We have a regular Ford Escape and love it and only do not have the hybrid because for us to break even on the hybrid cost gas would need to cost $7.40 per gallon (yes, I did the math).

My thinking as well.. as much as I am intrigued with the hybrid vehicle (by the way, I drove both the Insight and Prius today.. and I have to tell you, I preferred the Prius hands down over the Insight), I just can't justify the note.

Thanks for the comments..