I fear I may have to jump to new Honda Insight

doogster · 09-05-2008, 09:03 AM

OK... I got my orphan (Cabrio black/black/black) on June 3rd 2008 - I LOVE the car! - and I've spent a lot of money putting a really, really nice sound system in it too - But that is not to say it is without its unique limitations. I use the car pretty much just to go back and forth to work (13 miles each way) and to run some errands. I've put 2800 miles on the car in the 3 months since I bought it - and I've never had 1 single problem or issue. I am married with 3 kids (young kids) and so I also have a minivan that we use as a family whenever we go out... obviously, I really can't use the Smart when we go out all together.

Today I saw the new Honda Insight that is coming out, presumably, in June/July 2009 (its a 2010 model so I'm just speculating here)... but I looked at it (2010 Honda Insight - Jalopnik) today and I was blown away... Not only do I think its a hot looking car (and I know everyone is different in their opinion on looks - I've read on this forum that most people HATE the Prius look) but it gets 60MPG and costs $18,500 (projected)... to me, this is a real contendor for me... because it gets better mileage then my Smart, costs about the same - and I can take the family out in it in a pinch.... we wouldn't always have to be driving the minivan into the ground as the only family-capable vehicle.

OK... I'm ready.... FLAME ME! - no, really, I'd love to hear your input.

**Suze** · 09-05-2008, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doogster

OK... I got my orphan (Cabrio black/black/black) on June 3rd 2008 - I LOVE the car! - and I've spent a lot of money putting a really, really nice sound system in it too - But that is not to say it is without its unique limitations. I use the car pretty much just to go back and forth to work (13 miles each way) and to run some errands. I've put 2800 miles on the car in the 3 months since I bought it - and I've never had 1 single problem or issue. I am married with 3 kids (young kids) and so I also have a minivan that we use as a family whenever we go out... obviously, I really can't use the Smart when we go out all together.

Today I saw the new Honda Insight that is coming out, presumably, in June/July 2009 (its a 2010 model so I'm just speculating here)... but I looked at it (2010 Honda Insight - Jalopnik) today and I was blown away... Not only do I think its a hot looking car (and I know everyone is different in their opinion on looks - I've read on this forum that most people HATE the Prius look) but it gets 60MPG and costs $18,500 (projected)... to me, this is a real contendor for me... because it gets better mileage then my Smart, costs about the same - and I can take the family out in it in a pinch.... we wouldn't always have to be driving the minivan into the ground as the only family-capable vehicle.

OK... I'm ready.... FLAME ME! - no, really, I'd love to hear your input.

I'm not going to flame you (not my style). I just think its got a very dated look. Old-fashioned and ugly, too. - but not quite as ugly as the original Insight.

I sure like the idea of it, though. A 60 mpg car under 19k. I say bring 'em on!

jonnysan · 09-05-2008, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doogster

OK... I got my orphan (Cabrio black/black/black) on June 3rd 2008 - I LOVE the car! - and I've spent a lot of money putting a really, really nice sound system in it too - But that is not to say it is without its unique limitations. I use the car pretty much just to go back and forth to work (13 miles each way) and to run some errands. I've put 2800 miles on the car in the 3 months since I bought it - and I've never had 1 single problem or issue. I am married with 3 kids (young kids) and so I also have a minivan that we use as a family whenever we go out... obviously, I really can't use the Smart when we go out all together.

Today I saw the new Honda Insight that is coming out, presumably, in June/July 2009 (its a 2010 model so I'm just speculating here)... but I looked at it (2010 Honda Insight - Jalopnik) today and I was blown away... Not only do I think its a hot looking car (and I know everyone is different in their opinion on looks - I've read on this forum that most people HATE the Prius look) but it gets 60MPG and costs $18,500 (projected)... to me, this is a real contendor for me... because it gets better mileage then my Smart, costs about the same - and I can take the family out in it in a pinch.... we wouldn't always have to be driving the minivan into the ground as the only family-capable vehicle.

OK... I'm ready.... FLAME ME! - no, really, I'd love to hear your input.

Doogster,
Man, if that doesn't look like a Prius, my eyes are deceiving me.

Ofcourse, by 2010, the Prius' mileage may be way beyond 60 mpg estimated for the new Insight especially if they go to PHEV and that may just be the case by then.
With energy going the way it is, alot can happen in the next year or two.

doogster · 09-05-2008, 09:18 AM

Call me crazy... I LIKE THE LOOK OF THE PRIUS! (my wife HATES that car, though)... but said the new Insight looked "better".

**jwight** · 09-05-2008, 09:20 AM

4 doors, 60 mpg, $18K - what's not to like? However, I'm betting the $18K goes up quite a bit once you equip it like a smart Passion.

jonnysan · 09-05-2008, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doogster

Call me crazy... I LIKE THE LOOK OF THE PRIUS! (my wife HATES that car, though)... but said the new Insight looked "better".

The wife and I were down by you about a month ago visiting family...hot weekend weather-wise. During that weekend, Seaside Heights was on the news with a story on their police department's purchase of a brand new black and white (actually white with black tridion) smartie. I think they were forced to say that the car will only do 60 mph because if they said it would do 90, that would fly in the face of their wanting people to do as they say and not as I do.....or something like that but you know what I mean. The story was a good one and the comment was made that the police officer using the car was constantly being barraged with questions about it like you know we always are.

john

chieftmc · 09-05-2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwight

4 doors, 60 mpg, $18K - what's not to like? However, I'm betting the $18K goes up quite a bit once you equip it like a smart Passion.

I would bet you are right!

doogster · 09-05-2008, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnysan

The wife and I were down by you about a month ago visiting family...hot weekend weather-wise. During that weekend, Seaside Heights was on the news with a story on their police department's purchase of a brand new black and white (actually white with black tridion) smartie. I think they were forced to say that the car will only do 60 mph because if they said it would do 90, that would fly in the face of their wanting people to do as they say and not as I do.....or something like that but you know what I mean. The story was a good one and the comment was made that the police officer using the car was constantly being barraged with questions about it like you know we always are.

john

yeah... I stay away from the Seaside Boardwalk "in season"... I used to live just 3 houses from the boardwalk and ocean - and I use to walk it end to end almost evey day :-) --- that being said, I have seen the Seaside Smart Patrol!

**SmartCard** · 09-05-2008, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doogster

Today I saw the new Honda Insight that is coming out, presumably, in June/July 2009 (its a 2010 model so I'm just speculating here)... but I looked at it (2010 Honda Insight - Jalopnik) today and I was blown away... Not only do I think its a hot looking car (and I know everyone is different in their opinion on looks - I've read on this forum that most people HATE the Prius look) but it gets 60MPG and costs $18,500 (projected)...

I'd love to hear your input.

not sure where they got that price (The US press release does not mention price)

with a Civic hybrid starting at $23K, its hard to imagine that they could slice 5K off the civic's price while introducing new technology (which usually costs more)

Big Panda · 09-05-2008, 10:00 AM

not bad....i wouldn't mind having one, but not as a replacement for MY smart. maybe as a second car for for the wife to drive and also for any long trips we may want to take.

just based on MY experience with 8 or so i've owned all i can say is "it's a HONDA.....what more can I say? it's gotta be a great vehicle".