If the Insight were a wild animal, surface streets would be its natural habitat. This weekend, I logged zero freeway miles, and the things that have bothered me most about the Insight in the past -- its stiff ride, its tepid acceleration -- were a lot less noticeable.
And of course, the car's also right at home at the pump. With half a tank left and nearly 200 miles logged, the Insight was due for a refill. The cost? Just 15 bucks.
Warren Clarke, Automotive Content Editor @ 9,100 miles
vt8919 says:
08:45 PM, 11/23/09
The more I read about it, dislikes and everything, the more I like it. It's a quirky, simple hybrid car. If you think trying to get the highest score (highest MPG) is fun, then the little leaves and the changing gauge colors add to the excitement. I could see this being a good choice for a first car.
Then again, you have to wonder if it's better to get a brand new Insight or a used Prius at about the same price.
ahightower says:
06:22 AM, 11/24/09
I don't know if they've done total cost of ownersnhip calculations on the Insight yet, it being so new, but I suspect that the Prius will have better resale value. They'll all do well when gas prices go up again, but the bottom line will be the mpg, and the Prius is still better by a few. We all know it's insignificant/diminishing returns, etc. The used Insight will be a better value than the used Prius, but the new Prius beats the new Insight in my estimation.
ahightower says:
06:24 AM, 11/24/09
Also, why was it due for a fill-up when only half empty?
milt721 says:
08:24 AM, 11/24/09
^^ It was half full, Mr. Pessimist.
hybris says:
09:49 AM, 11/24/09
I kinda wonder if this would be good first car personally I think for the money you get a nice Focus or used FX4 Ranger instead.
Of course neither one has animated leaves...
lucien4 says:
10:50 AM, 11/24/09
I guess it was filled up out of courtesy for next person who'd get the Insight.
crowb says:
01:23 PM, 11/24/09
@ milt721
HA! Nice...