2010 Honda Insight EX: I Kind of Want One

Golf TDI.

"4) It's not a Prius. Nothing against the Prius, except that I can't tolerate the switches/buttons/navigation system. It's a maddengly restrictive system that barely works while moving and is generally designed for people just landing on Earth stepping into a car for the first time. No thanks. Not for me. "

If you replaced Prius with Macs and cars with phones, that's why I neither like Prii nor Macs.

"The steering wheel in the Insight is inarguably the second best steering wheel in the world. (Current M3, of course, being the best.)"

Too bad the M3 is a sedan, eh Mike? What was BMW thinking?!!? :P

Actually, I shouldn't give you a hard time...based on the way you described yourself, it sounds like you may be the only person on Earth besides me who likes the BMW 5-series GT. (Don't like the Crosstour, though -- go figure.)

don't agree with all your points, but I definitely think people should get whatever suits their needs the best.

However;

it does not look cool, you shut up!

7) It looks cool. Shut up. It does.

Sure why not. I like the looks over a Prius...

Until the CR-Z showed up, it was IMO the best-looking vehicle in Honda's US lineup. Too bad this front fascia seems to be Honda's signal for hybrid/alt fuel vehicles (except the Civic), because the Crosstour and some others could benefit from it.

No sunroof on this car or the Fit, especially at the prices of the EX/Sport trim, is a deal-killer for me--my present car has an aftermarket sunroof and it hasn't caused problems, but I prefer a factory install

18mpg in your Mazda 3? I usually get 17mpg city in my Mazdaspeed3 in Chicago (not suburban) traffic, where I'm stopping almost every block at a stop light or stop sign.

Based on your driving, it sounds like the perfect car for you. What about a leaf?

wow, those don't sound like "enthusiast" criteria.

reasons why I wouldn't buy one:

1. Looks
2. Limited rear seat and cargo space
3. cheap plastic dahsboard
4 Lack of features vs the Prius and many other cars
5. Nav system looks like aftermarket add on
6. Slow

If I absolutely had to have a hatch and didnt think the mileage of the 3 was acceptable I would wait for the new Focus or Aveo. The Fiesta is so small that its pointless to get one if you really think sedans are too limited in terms of cargo capacity.

I wasn't impressed by the build quality. It looked cheap compared to the Golf and M3 in the same price range. I'd go with the recommendation for the Fit if you wanted a Honda. Better build quality and you can get in the back seat without whacking your head.

I agree on the steering wheel. My wife's Fit has the same wheel and it's unexpectedly awesome. I think it's one of the best features of the car (and I like the overall car a lot).

We just bought one.

We didn't get a Fit because the interior does not feel nearly as nice, the controls are cheap and not very honda like. Also the wife didn't like the way the Fit looked.

We didn't get a golf TDI because they sticker for $3k more to start, they aren't available on dealer lots and there is no discount, so net price difference is about $5k.

We didn't get a prius because we are anti-toyota and they are also more expensive.

For the Honda family that needs utility along with great mileage, it just works. There is a lot of negative publicity surrounding this car, a lot of it I just couldn't agree with.

i think this whole 'build quality is crap' argument against the insight is lame. its no worse than the civic, maybe a few more hard plastics, but then again, it is slotted below the civic, and its extra cost comes from the hybrid powertrain. (the civic hybrid is a car that makes the vw tdi argument hold water, because its so expensive.)

i would love to have Golf TDI...but dammit they are expensive. not to mention that maintanence on them is a little pricey (after the free maintenence wears off).

the looks of the insight are fantastic. i like the way the new prius looks, but the simplicty of the insight is something that i keep going back to. the prius may be a better hybrid, but its also a midsize car: lets face it guys you dont go knocking civics and mazda 3's because they fall short on room compared to an accord or 6.

the mileage thing...eh its a wash. have they not already proven that the real world difference is tiny? 40/43 is not a terrible gas mileage rating.

the fit does not ride as nice as the insight, as a back to back test drive proved. hell the last insight i drove rode better than a 2009 civic lx-s i sampled, the rear end was more planted. not to mention that the insight is relatively quiet (much more so than the civic or fit) and not as boomy or loud as some make it out to be.

i think the problem with edmunds insight is that they chose and ugly color and interior.. had you guys got this thing in black or white with the blue interior, it would be a win for all!

not to mention this thing is very safe, GREAT crash test scores.

and slow is relative. the prius is NOT fast, nor is it that much faster. and its quicker than the new fit with an a/t and i dont see them holding up traffic.

I have a 2010 Insight EX that we bought last June. We just finished a 4,500 mile trip, with the fuel cost of $457.00. For the year of ownership we only put on 10k miles.

I also have a 2002 Beetle TDI that I bought new, in Feb 2002, it now has 172k. As a tall, fat man the bug gives me more room than the insight but the Insight has far more room for my daughter in the back and for travel supplies for a 3 week road trip.

After spending a few weeks on the road with the Insight I give it a thumbs up. Trouble and worry free. Driving up into the Rocky Mountains requires laboring up in the slow lane. Driving down is a breeze and the paddle shifters are a huge benefit.

Wife enjoys the Insight around town. I look forward to keeping it forever.

The bug is doing great except for having to repair the AC multiple times. Still on original clutch, would recommend the full metal jacket for the protection of the undercarriage.