New Owner in South Florida

[nmp]

I've been researching high mpg cars for several weeks as I wait to buy a house 60 miles (one way) from my job. This forum was very helpful in leading me toward the I2 and I am really happy with my decision. It is a 2010 EX Tango Pearl Red and it had 8 miles on it when I signed the paperwork Sunday.

I've already ordered a full mat kit online and hopefully will get the windows tinted Saturday to help with the summer heat.

I'll post a picture later once I get my mats and tint done, I think everyone has seen a stock I2 before

[dnoveau]

Congrats on your new Insight! I've had mine (black) for 5 weeks now and I just have to say I am much happier with it than I thought I would be. I seem to be in a succession of supposedly high(er) mileage cars: BMW 325, Mazda 3, now this.

The BMW gave me 24 mpg in suburban driving and sometimes 32 highway if I didn't use its speed, but it still got around 28 highway cruising at 90-110. Amazing if you like that kind of thing, but I am over it. I didn't like: No spare tire, silly key plus push botton to start it, $275 tires of different sizes front and rear that only lasted 20000 miles, and other engineering quirks that are just silly and expensive. A great car for Germany.

The Mazda gave a relaible 25 suburban mpg, but only 29 highway. It was more comfortable than the BMW, more fun to drive, but boy did it rattle from day 1.

The insight is givng 40-45 mpg so far, all suburban. I haven't yet had a long trip to take, but I do not "hyper mile" it. I just drive it normally and keep up or pass traffic. You know the saying: "a slow car diven fast is more fun than a fast car driven slow".

I wouldn't say the Insight is better or worse than the BMW; it's built for a different purpose but it's just as tight. It's a WAY better car than the Mazda.

I hope you like yours and welcome to the forum!

[RahTX]

Congrats nmp

Originally Posted by dnoveau

highway cruising at 90-110.

Wow, I thought people drove fast here!

No spare tire

I guess they put a lot of faith in the run-flats. Personally I'd rather have a real spare, even at the weight/space cost.

The Mazda gave a relaible 25 suburban mpg, but only 29 highway. It was more comfortable than the BMW, more fun to drive, but boy did it rattle from day 1.

There have been some complaints on here about rattles, I didn't have any that didn't come from items in my car until a couple weeks ago. Suddenly now that it's blistering hot outside, I have these rattles that seem to be coming from the B pillars; the one behind my left ear is driving me insane!

You know the saying: "a slow car diven fast is more fun than a fast car driven slow".

Heh, very true!

Anyways, now that I've continued my streak of thread hijacking, I'll end now and just welcome you (nmp) to the forum

[Moviemike]

I'm just over 10k miles. When the windows are down and the road is less than real smooth there is a rattle in the doors tha sounds like windows rattling against the door frame.

[RahTX]

Originally Posted by Moviemike

I'm just over 10k miles. When the windows are down and the road is less than real smooth there is a rattle in the doors tha sounds like windows rattling against the door frame.

I've heard what you're talking about, and this new rattle is with the windows up, and is like a "ticking" sound. More subtle than what happens when the windows are part-way down, but noticeable enough to be annoying. Oh well, I'll just turn my stereo up louder

[prozhkova]

Originally Posted by Moviemike

I'm just over 10k miles. When the windows are down and the road is less than real smooth there is a rattle in the doors tha sounds like windows rattling against the door frame.

When I bought my Insight in 2003, I already knew that the body integrity would not be as good as some other cars. We bought a regular new Civic in 1998, and the windows rattled from Day 1, especially at high speeds. But, we buy them because the mechanical part is well-made and we want the high gas-mileage.

[Moviemike]

Originally Posted by prozhkova

When I bought my Insight in 2003, I already knew that the body integrity would not be as good as some other cars. We bought a regular new Civic in 1998, and the windows rattled from Day 1, especially at high speeds. But, we buy them because the mechanical part is well-made and we want the high gas-mileage.

Our other car is an '06 I1. After 68k still no body or mechanical problems.

With any new model I expect problems. After 22k on the I2 I've had to replace two tires due excessive wear from poor factory alignment and a not annoying window rattle. Much fewer problems then I was prepared for at time of purchase.