will a cello fit in the drivers seat?

smallgroupleader · 10-04-2011, 10:54 AM

Hi . Im a newbie potential purchaser of an insight in very short order.
I have an unusual question. I'm wondering if my daughters cello will fit in the front seat passenger side or even stuffing in from front to back window?? It maybe a deal breaker for me.

also, can anyone tell me upgrades to the car from 2000 to a 2004 model, if any? Also, wondering if anyone in the midwest does battery refurb or replacement in the midwest, if i need it? price? thanks, feel free to answer one or any of these Q's.

**jdstew** · 10-04-2011, 11:43 AM

Wow - It sounds like you might have missed the search field in the top left (not trying to be too snarky)...

I can remember reading a thread about the biggest things we've stuck in our older (G1) Insights - I personally got a small fridge in mine - I had the seat out to install some electronics. I did bring some long boards home from the hardware store too.

Eli or one of the many other wise guys will be able to point you to a definitive list of differences.

And Hybrid-Battery-Repair has been doing a bang-up job on helping many of us with our battery woes.

Again - the search box on the top left will give you many more details than this short message. Good luck!

BrianZ54 · 10-04-2011, 02:07 PM

So... how tall is your cello case? I know there are full sized or 3/4 sized instruments. I think the cello itself is about 4' high, correct? Figuring for the radii at the top and bottom of the case you could probably get 48"-50" from corner to corner. Measured with the passenger seat back it's about 54"+ to the actual corners. You could easily put it through the gap between the seats. There are eyelets installed in the back deck so it's easy to tether it down.

Questions for you: what part of the midwest and would you consider a CVT?

Otherwise, happy hunting and don't decide to take up the double bass instead.

Brian

smallgroupleader · 10-04-2011, 11:59 PM

thanks for the responses. the cello case is 54 inches tall. So I guess

I might be able to put the top between the seats into the back... Also , i would consider a cvt. midwest=iowa,wisconsin, minnesota.

Kevin Dougherty · 10-05-2011, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smallgroupleader

thanks for the responses. the cello case is 54 inches tall. So I guess

I might be able to put the top between the seats into the back... Also , i would consider a cvt. midwest=iowa,wisconsin, minnesota.

Just put it under the seat

Eli · 10-05-2011, 01:04 PM

I think a cello will fit in the hatch area, with the neck extended between the seats.

CVT vs. MT depends on what kind of person you are and what you want.

If you just want to drive and don't care too much about fuel economy, a CVT should be adequate. If you like to experiment, push the envelope and like the idea of seeing MPG in the 70s and 80s, the MT is for you.

BrianZ54 · 10-05-2011, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eli

CVT vs. MT depends on what kind of person you are and what you want.

If you just want to drive and don't care too much about fuel economy, a CVT should be adequate. If you like to experiment, push the envelope and like the idea of seeing MPG in the 70s and 80s, the MT is for you.

Eli is correct here (as usual) that there is quite a difference between the two transmissions when you consider gas mileage. My best tank to date is 60 mpg and a typical one is closer to 52 mpg. I drive too fast for optimum mileage when I commute, I'm guilty of spending most of my 22 mile commute above 75 mph. Got passed by a Kia this morning that was doing about 115, his engine sounded like a motorcycle! SE Michigan is a Nascar training site.

Your mileage will be relative to which transmission you choose and how you drive it. Compared to my last car, a 4-cyl automatic, I get nearly double the gas mileage. Had I gone with an MT it would have probably been closer to triple. I am tossing around the idea of selling mine but I'm forced to wait at least another month for my employer's fiscal year end settlement. If you're still up in the air at the beginning of November drop me a note in the site here. You know we have private mailboxes, right?

That's probably enough of my babble for now. I will point out that there seems to always be a few insights available in the Chicago and Milwaukee areas. There's a place called Motorwerks in Wisconsin that has a couple right now. They are always priced high but with gas prices down you can make them an offer. If nothing else, test drive one. For those seeking a Citrus, there's one in Auto Trader (in VA).
Brian

skyeracer2009 · 10-06-2011, 12:42 PM

A full size cello will fit in the back with the neck poking thru the two front seats a bit. We have a 5-speed model and it is still easy to shift.

smallgroupleader · 10-10-2011, 10:15 PM

thanks again everyone. good to know skyracer. now im ready to buy. Brian, a cvt is fine, i dont think i could handle 70mpg that would double my corolla! 50 to 60 is good enough, and my daughter doesnt know how to drive a stick yet. If i hyper mile, i prob can get close to 70mpg anyway. I just tried some of the techniques with my chevy pickup and went from an average of 16mpg to 23! Thats a 31% increase!

jrmgarcia@yahoo.com · 10-12-2011, 09:52 PM

Ha! Wish I had seen this topic sooner! I've gotten a 4/4 CC tuba, a euphonium and backpack in the hatch area. Nobody believes me when I say these cars are like a tiny truck! I think it especially has to do with the glass in the hatchback being raised. There's more room than anyone thinks!

And don't feel bad if you get a CVT, they're still a blast to drive! What a great car we have! Since owning mine, my LMPG is 59.9 (and that's with my leadfoot, AC addicted wife having her way with it from time to time!), and the previous owner had a 50K mile avg of 65.3!

Hehe! I just drove from Atlanta to Gunter AFB, Montgomery, AL with the cruise set (I installed it!) at 63MPH and got a trip MPG of 69.7! Amazing!

Heck, I'm gonna see if I can find that picture!

Best of luck! Hope you enjoy the Insight as much as many of us have!