From a ___ to an Insight: Feedback

[3ics]

I have been reading through some of the posts and gathering information since I am considering purchasing a pre-owned Insight. I have not driven it yet, but had a chance to really climb through it and sit in the car.

Based on my research, the Insight on the pre-owned market costs less than the Prius. For the price of the Insight, I can get an '10. With the Prius, my budget is for the last generation. And I think the Prius is too common.

My past cars have been a long list of Germans; Golf, Passat and a Jetta Wagon. My current toy is a BMW e30. A long time ago I had an Accord for a short time. From my perspective, I have always loved a German car - the feel and build etc. If I get an Insight, it will be my daily driver and the BMW will be the toy, so I will always have it for the moments that I crave a stick shift and want to be giddy.

I guess my question to the forum members, is there anyone that has gone from a VW to the Insight and had any regrets or think it is the best decision they have made. I really like the fact maintenance should be easy - it's a Honda - my wallet will have a few extra dollars and it seems to have good gas mileage.

Thanks for the feedback...

[livfreely]

I Love the Insight. I traded in a diesel truck for it. The insight is going to cost way less in the maintenance side. They are on the top ten list of least expensive cars to own. The gas mileage (if you drive right) is higher than 40/43. You are right a whole lot less of them are seen on the road than a Prius. I could not be happier with the Insight.

What are you looking at and Price? It may just be cheaper to buy a new one. I think you can get a new one for around 18k.

[Second_h]

I've had several German cars, and right now my wife is driving a new CC. I've always loved German cars for the same reasons you do.
I wouldn't compare the insight in terms of build quality, or performance because thats not what it was built for. However it's a compact car that's relatively cheap, still fun to drive (in it's own right), and is amazing on gas. And I believe Honda is still offering 0.9% financing.
Can't beat that!

[MN Driver]

I've driven a early 2000's(not sure on the year but the first generation that existed then) VW GTI plenty, however I didn't own the car while driving it. I really never picked up much difference versus other cars that I've driven other than a stiffer/sportier suspension feel compared to other cars I've driven. Having driven both the 1st Gen Insight and 2nd Gen Insight, you really need to test drive the car to get a good idea because everyone who owns one bought it thinking that it was the best option and almost all will continue to feel the same way once it is theirs and they've been driving it awhile. I came from a 95 Prizm before this and before that car I was driving an 02 Grand Am with my current car being the 1st Gen Insight. I don't mind the feel of the 2nd Gen Insight though.

My advice: Test drive it and spend enough time to really get to know the car in all of the usual conditions: streets, highways, bumpy roads, curvy roads, if you live on a dirt road be sure to include one. ...that sort of thing.

[3ics]

Thank you for all the feedback - I plan on test driving it tomorrow and really trying my best to spend as much as possible in it.

I found an '10 EX with 14k miles, list price is just under $16k. CPO since it is on a dealer lot. It's funny because I really have been thinking about it all day

I'm just too practical and I think the I2 is a good fit for me - just hope I like driving it!

[freezin4]

Good luck. I have also owned several VWs (GTI, Cabriolet, Passat VR6, Jetta VR6, Scirocco) and two E30s, Saabs and Volvos. If you choose to get the Insight, you will love it for different reasons.
Keep us posted.

[Jsol92]

I came from an '01 Civic with 205K miles on it.
My biggest concern when buying the car was that it would be a downgrade in terms of power (I know, that sounds funny when it's a Civic I'm comparing it to).

It actually feels a LOT more powerful that my Civic. I feel horrible pushing the pedal too far down, but when I need the extra power it's always there. Other than that everything was a HUGE upgrade and I absolutely love my car.

I've driven German cars as well but it's not easy to compare, say, a BMW 3 series to an Insight EX. My mom drives a 328i and I drive her in it from time to time. Hands down, it wins in terms of power and drivability. I don't think any Honda could compare.
However, I drive her around in my car from time to time and she has confessed to liking my interior a little more than hers :P (She doesn't have iDrive, and I have an EX w/Nav)

If she did have iDrive I think it would be a different story!

Bottom line - if you're willing to sacrifice leather seats and wooden trim for an increase of nearly 25mpg, get the Insight.
If it's luxury you're concerned about, get the EX w/Nav. It definitely still won't be a BMW, but it has everything you'll need to be comfortable.

[livfreely]

If you want leather just pick up some Katzkins on Ebay for $700 bucks, and have your local auto upholstery shop install them for a few dollars. The I2 will impress you I think.

[lat.ch.]

Back in 1999, I went from a 1990 E30 to a 1999 Civic Si. The Si was quite a car, but I had difficulty adjusting to low torque and, most of all, front wheel drive (especially in snow). I sold it after three years and bought a RWD Chevy Silverado (5.3l) that I drove for 8 years.

Then last year I tried a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi. Unbelievably capable on and slightly off road. But I couldn't enjoy it while getting 14 mpg, and I average about 2000 miles per month.

So I traded it. Now I'm back to trying a FWD Honda. The lack of power seems to make FWD unimportant. Only time will tell. I'm also somewhat addicted to the gas mileage part.

The truck is still here, with 240k miles, in case I am still uncomfortable with FWD in the snow (or must haul something). I have 35 years experience in SW PA snow, and almost all of it was RWD. When i spin the tires, I want them to be those in the rear. Much of my car thinking is influenced by the fact that I'm over 50 years old and grew up with RWD.

[jaehchoi85]

I went from a 2005 Mini Cooper S to a 2010 Honda Insight and I couldn't be more pleased with the change.

The Mini was extremely fun to drive especially with all the upgrades I had done to it but the Insight is fun to drive and extremely reliable.

Best purchase so far.