If there was no G1 Insight, what car would you get?

[kitkit201]

Hypothetically, Honda never made the G1 insight, what car would you get and why?

(Super open ended question so this should be interesting amounts of comments)

[Cobb]

I got the scion xa with stick shift, sid eair bags and sport seats, 12,5.

[theaveng]

The 1st gen (2002-2005) Civic hybrid with ULEV/lean burn engine. I was able to get 70mpg on my testdrive (all interstate). An amazing result. If I couldn't get that car then:

- VW Lupo3L (80 mpg highway)
- VW Beetle TDI (45mpg highway)
- 4-door Insight
- Chevy Cruze Eco (44mpg highway)
- Civic HF (43mpg highway)
- Chevy Volt (38mpg hybrid)

[AbCaRed00]

I'd 'want' a Volkswagen XL1 I think it's Absolutely Outstanding!
fwiw: Drove a '66 VW 1300 Beetle as the family car when a teen and have a bit of brand loyalty there still.... Always wanted a Karman Ghia for the sporty style and dig gull wing doors still owning a Toyota Sera.

Check this link out of a Volkswagen XL1 spied testing in Sweden: Volkswagen XL1 spied testing | Autocar.

I'll wager it's the thin edge of the wedge for future vehicle developments with some confidence, though to afford one may be a big stretch and availability another issue.
I'll be watching closely though! Looks like VW's got it nailed on the head for my wants with the XL1!

[gilbertguy]

So are we assuming since there was no Gen1 there would also be no Gen2 Insight? If no Gen2 Insight allowed I had a Prius before and loved it so I'd probably go back to another Prius. If the Gen2 Insight is allowed in this discussion then based on cost I'd probably get the G2 Insight EX version. For some reason I've never been a big HCH fan.

[MN Driver]

If I didn't get my 1st Gen Insight in the first place, I'd still be driving around my 1995 Prizm. If I were seeking better gas mileage, I'd be after the 1989-1991 Honda CRX HF if I could find one that didn't rust to the ground already, or Honda Civic VX, HX, or HF. ..or whatever the options are for higher gas mileage cars. I'd probably skip the Metro XFI.

If it were a future car, I'd get a car with one of the Ford Ecoboost engines that has yet to hit the US such as their 3 cylinder 1 liter model that vastly outperforms the Insight IMA system and doesn't need a battery. Unfortunately the engine weighs an extra 75 pounds as it's cast iron and they designed it for low end torque and the cam profile and intake isn't designed for low load cruising MPG. ...but I figure it would still kick some great MPG out in whatever car they end up putting it in without giving up performance.

In reality Volkswagen XL1 will be more efficient than the Honda Insight and I may own that car if I can find it when it is 10 years old, which is how I buy all of my cars. Maybe a Tesla Model S or the 'BMW 3-series' similar price point that will come after the current platform if I earn enough money in the future to feel like I could afford it and had plenty to spend.

If the reality was that my two Insights were to disappear and never reappear and there was no Insight to be found, I'd be after the 2001-2005 Honda Civic generation. It's simple, efficient, reliable, not a hybrid, a commodity car that has plenty of parts, and I can find enough for sale to be able to weed of the mechanical issue cars, collision cars, and rusties while getting a decent price.

[bryankwalton]

Are we limiting choices to vehicles that are/were actually available? If not, my choices

1. VW XL1
2. Aptera 2h
3. Chevy Volt
4. Some variant of a Prius
5. Ford C-Max Energi

[MN Driver]

Ford C-Max Energi
I forgot that one. It's my favorite of the plug-in hybrids. More efficient and lighter than a Volt, more electric range than a plug-in Prius. A great car in general and would get more MPG driving cross country than a Volt, which I do quite a bit of.

Aptera, I'd give up the drive-thru window for that car, windows don't roll down. ..but the handling apparently wasn't so great which is important to me. I'd have to drive it to know, too bad we'll never have the chance.

If we are talking about cars that we could never have. I'd take the 2nd Gen(NiMh) EV1 in a heartbeat. Now that lithium is cheap and compact, I'd be willing to see how much could be packed in there and I'd take the range.

[Cf-105]

A GM EV-1!


Sent from my iPhone using Autoguide

[EDC]

since the VW XL1 is likely to never come to the USA, same with the Lupo diesel, I woyld return to my 81VW turbo diesel,home built, but this time with a newer TDI motor and at least a 6spd. Someone has built a mid90sTDI sedan with up to 26psi boost-61 mpg and 0-60 in 7seconds; but -he can't keep the clutch( aftermarket for a superchargered V6) in it, so lowered the boost to 19psi.-easier than getting a new right foot.
ed