My husband and I have test driven every car out there except for kia, mazda, and subaru in the same price range as the insight. We also test drove the famous prius. We are trading in my husbands 06 PT Cruiser because it only gets 29 mpg. The other top contender as a replacement was the new Hyundai Elantra but after doing some research almost everybody who bought one was sorry that they did if they bought it for the gas mileage because it only got about 29-33 instead of anywhere close to the advertised 40 mpg. That totally took it out and we decided that the new Honda Insight was going to be our next vehicle because the extra $10000 that the prius is does not make up for the 5 mpg better it gets. Plus it looks like a spaceship with that weird bridge thing. I hated the disconnect that I felt from the road. So that's why we decided on the insight. So 20 or so test drives later of various cars we know what car we want. Now we have to decide if we want to wait for the 2012's to launch or to go ahead and work out the finances for the 2011. I was curious to what the people on this forum had to say. Also I'm a newbie, this is my first post on here.
Last edited by rosepruner; 09-04-2011 at 07:35 PM.
Go ahead and wait. I do not think that the price difference will be that much different from the 2011 model. They are going to make changes that will improve comfort and mpg so you might as well wait.
On the other hand I have a 2011 Honda Insight and love it. I average 55 to 57 mpg right now. You might be able to find one heck of a deal on the 2011 model, but they may be hard to come by. I know out dealership is sold out until the new models arrive. Anyways you made the right choice in going with an Insight. I too looked at the Elantra first but now am so glad I did not make that choice.........Good Luck with whatever you choose
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2011 Honda Insight w/nav
Taffeta White
As of now 55.7 mpg
Personally, if it were my choice to wait on a 2012 or get a 2011 now, I'd try to locate a 2011. It's the end of the model year, and I imagine you'd get a good deal if you could find one that interested you. You might even be able to move yourself up to a EX/NAV for the price of an LX.... dealers are usually happy to move older product. Also, it probably wouldn't bother anyone other than myself, but I like knowing my car was produced and out of the country before all of the nuclear issues in Japan. Whatever level / year you get, you will love it! It is a seriously awesome little car.
I don't know how long you are willing to wait. I have a 2011 and am thoroughly satisfied. Mine just arrived in August having been on order since April. I was told by the dealer that the 2012 models won't be in the showroom until November or December. You will have to decide how long you want to wait. 2012 models aren't even on the web site yet. It doesn't sound like you would be getting one anytime soon. How would you feel to wait 4 months and get essentially the same model? Conversely, how would you feel if the 2012 is completely different? All that can be said for sure is that there will be a significant wait, at least in the Chicago area.
I know you've already decided on the Insight, but if you're waiting until 2012, I would compare the Insight against the 2012 FIT PHV (Plug-in Hybrid). I think it will do better than the Insight on mileage and have even more room. Just my 2cents...
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Chuck
2003 Insight CVT
97 Acura Integra GS
98 Acura CL 2.3
93 Civic Del Sol (I converted it to electric) http://www.evalbum.com/342
85 Prelude
84 Vanagon Camper
70 Porsche 914
early reports have the '12 insight getting quite minor facial and mpg improvements -- probably barely discernible to the eye ... it will be a 2-3 more years until a new generation
I found a local dealer that has 3 insights 1 LX 1 EX and 1 EX with nav. The 2 EX's are the bright blue the LX is white. Anyway, the prices are something I can't really negotiate with this particular dealer, but he did say if I wanted a specific package I could order it still, but I had to get the order in by the middle of september. We probably won't be buying one until november when we have an insurance settlement come through that we decided to use to pay for a new car. We might be buying earlier, but most likely not until november, so I was wondering if I should try to wait it out or see what we can work out now with the PT as a down payment.
Last edited by rosepruner; 09-04-2011 at 11:05 PM.
Do you have access to a Sams Club membership? They have a free car buying service and their dealers have to honor certain commitments. When the local Honda dealer said no discounts I called Sams Club and found a car and a dealer that discounted. He didn't give the full Sams discount but condidering the dealers were all saying list plus I got a nice chunk of change knocked off. Just a thought. It also saved me from certain pressure offers that they said Sams doesn't allow, like undercoating, etc.
As with all dealers, you will get "next to nothing" for your PT cruiser.
I don't think I have seen many used vehicles on dealers lots that have over 75K miles on them. (It's the old profit margin theory)
Sell it yourself, depending on how many miles are on the vehicle.
I would never get involved in ordering a "non existing" vehicle.
my 2 cents worth.
HTH
Willie
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01 5 speed. "Little Red Rocket"
The first "TURBOCHARGED" Hybrid, (01/2003)
296,000 mi. @ 58.0 LMPG
2007 Honda Fit, Red Sport AT
1998 Ford F-150, NASCAR "Limited Edition"
(3K made, possibly the prototype one)
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Wait for 2012 insight?
Might as well wait until the 2012 model comes out
