How bad is it in the wind???

[wowwee]

I drove the first generation Insight one time in a bad crosswind, I thought, jeez this alone would keep me from buying one. Has anyone driven a first and second generation in crosswinds, I'm looking for a comparison of the two.

[Willie Williford]

G1 Insights will get a wiggle in "heavy" cross winds, no problem, don't overcorrect for the wind, and it will be stable
(Overcorrect in any vehicle is the problem.)
Willie

[wowwee]

anyone else have an opinion of a second generation Insight in the wind??

[jcbesq]

i never had a problem ... just minor steering inputs to counteract heavy cross winds or when going around big rigs ... the car itself is quite firm with good balance and a fairly low center of gravity ... i do however sometimes have concerns about the slab sided designs of most fuel efficient cars (prius is another) and the possibility of scooping the wind like a sail

[waterdog]

In my experience, the I2 can bounce around quite a bit in strong gusty winds when you are traveling at high speeds (say 70+), but I found that in such conditions slowing down a bit (say 60) takes care of the issue. My comparison vehicles are a 2005 V70 and a 2004 Accord. I don't know how it compares to other small light weight cars.

[steve_b1]

Car and Driver didn't do a comparison between the I1 and I2 but they just did their '2010 Honda Insight EX Navi - Long-Term Road Test Wrap-Up'
2010 Honda Insight EX Navi - Long-Term Road Test Wrap-Up - Auto Reviews - Car and Driver

Handling in crosswinds made the list.

[jcbesq]

hardly a glowing review ... the guys from consumer reports must've gotten jobs at c&d

[circa1986]

Originally Posted by jcbesq

hardly a glowing review ... the guys from consumer reports must've gotten jobs at c&d

Having had an I2 for 5800 miles and 6 months, I wholeheartedly agree with almost every word in that article. They are definitely very on top of their tests, and noticed almost everything I did about the car.

The only thing I disagree with is that the front seats are highly comfortable. They are terrible! My legs would always fall asleep!

[samwichse]

First gen insight was VERY strongly affected by crosswinds... only car I've ever driven that's worse was a 1966 VW Beetle.

[WFalicoff]

Originally Posted by wowwee

anyone else have an opinion of a second generation Insight in the wind??

Our "modified" I2 with a ProgressTech rear sway bar, wider tires (185/60), front Cusco lower arm bar and strut tower bar, is rock stable in side winds. Just adding the rear sway bar and better tires made a huge difference to side to side stability with or without wind. We drove in 40+ mph side winds with no problem.