I didn't see an introduction section

[SeaBass]

I have to say, this has been the nicest group of helpful people that I've met in a long time. Thank you for the welcome and all the help so far. I look forward to stopping by at least once a day.

[SeaBass]

To give you an idea of how new I am to Hybrids, this is one of my old cars that I used to run. It was a 93 RX-7 with over 600 crank horsepower, and 519 hp at the rear wheels. It ran solid 10's in the 1/4, and was only able to get about 10 - 12 mpgs on the highway. But man was she a fun car, definitely a big change.

[hybriddancer]

Welcome, too.
I just picked up an '06 MT in June and it's great. Your battery levels sound normal for the MT. I commute 66 miles/day and am averaging 63.9mpg without much special treatment than just keeping within the speed limits and running in 5th gear when at or over 35mph. In 2nd gear, the IMA boost can really give you an accelerant jolt. You'll be surprised. If you just drive without worrying about the battery level, you'll find it runs itself. Downshift, coast or lightly brake to charge the batt. and save that energy for later! When it needs charging, it will keep charging even though the charge status shows no green bars (and no orange either, of course).
Have fun!

[EScrooge]

Welcome to the madness ! I've put over 5,000 miles on my '06 cvt already and found it is definitely the most rewarding car I have ever owned and that has nothing to do with the fuel mileage. That is just the bonus. It really doesn't take a lot of concentration to get great fuel mileage. Some things are a given, but I think I read, not long after I bought mine, to drive like a truck driver does. Easy Easy on the pedal going up the hills. When I pulled in the yard today after 530 miles I had averaged 65.2 mpg. That was a third city, third highway and third interstate driving which is typical for me. Had mine been a manual, I would assume to have been in the upper 70's lower 80 mpg range. And I agree with whoever said it. This is one of the nicest, most helpful forums I've ever logged into. Thanks to everyone for helping me get started,.

[dirty hippie]

New here too, though I've been posting here before to learn more about the Insight. I just recently bought a 2002 Insight CVT w/ 110500 on the odo for $6500. I picked it up with a brand new IMA battery module and flashed electronics. The IMA light came on upon my second test drive, so seller took it to the dealer for inspection. The car had about a little over a year or 40k miles left before the IMA warranty was up.

The Insight wasn't even on my shopping list. I sort of found it out of mere curiosity. The cars I was looking at were gasoline 2-seater coupes/roadsters and oddly enough the G2 Prius. It turns out the Insight combines aspects of both sporty coupe and the "green" of a Prius.

I understand I'm now in this exclusive club :P

I'm dirty hippie, but I'm not really a liberal-tree-hugging-commie-vegan-feminist-free-loving sorta hippie. I just have long hair and don't bathe. Kidding about the last part

[satchel]

Originally Posted by SeaBass

It was a 93 RX-7 with over 600 crank horsepower

Nice, Playboy's Car of the Year 1993 beating out the new Dodge Viper. How did you more than double the stock horsepower? Friend had a wankel rotary pickup back in the '70s and I'd never seen an engine in a vehicle wind up so quickly!

[SeaBass]

it was a 66mm extended blade turbo. Was good for about 700 hp, but I was never able to get to that point. Toss in the 1600cc injectors and it was a pretty potent setup.