Shopping for a 2011 LX or EX

[isoErnie]

Hello All,

Let me first thank you for all of the info I've gleaned so far by lurking the past several days!

We drove a 2010 EX last night and really liked it, but there are a handful of 2011's in the area that are in the same price range and have lower mileage so I think we'll be shooting for a 2011.

Is there anything we should be looking for as we test drive? I have been reading about the crummy Dunlop tires...anything else off the bat that might be considered for replacement/upgrade?

One thing I noticed in the EX we drove last night is the basic rear view mirror. I guess I've been spoiled with the auto-adjusting, integrated garage door opener ones in our current vehicles (an '05 Santa Fe and an '07 Tundra...yeah, we're looking to offset the Tundy! Will be replacing the Santa Fe with the Insight) Anyway, do any of the newer models of the Insight have an upgraded mirror? Without messing with wiring, I'm guessing it isn't something that would be easy to add on as an aftermarket accessory. Not a deal-breaker, I just figured by now this type of rear view mirror was standard.

Any words of wisdom to keep in mind while we shop would be appreciated!

[Zwolfe]

I'm not sure if there's a mirror option or not. One thing you can do to verify is go to Honda's website and "build one" and see if the option exists. It'll likely be applicable to 2011 models.

I haven't ever seen / used a mirror like you're talking about. I suppose I will some day. I'm just thankful it's stationary and in place firmly so I can flick it back and forth depending on how close someone is riding my rear end.

Definitely go for the '11. You see more people complain about their '10 models here versus the '11, I figure for a reason ... at least statistically. Keep in mind as well the '10 was the first model year. First model years are always a guinea pig.

[russellc]

Yes, Honda Insight has an upgraded auto-dimming mirror available. It's kind of expensive though... about $200 I think.

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk

[isoErnie]

Thanks guys. I do see the mirror as an optional accessory on the Honda site for 2012. So far none of the used ones I've seen online seem to have it...again not a deal breaker, just something that I've become accustomed to.

Anyone know if there is a matrix somewhere of the differences between the LX and EX for 2011?

[isoErnie]

OK, if you'll all humor me in a "What Would You Choose" post, which of the following two would you go for:

Essentially the same price.

1. Black 2011 EX (w/o navi) with 7300 miles on it, at a dealership about a half hour away (not a Honda dealer, so not certified.)

2. Polished Metal Metallic 2011 LX with 9900 miles on it, at a Honda dealership about an hour and a half away - it is certified.

I'm leaning toward the EX, with my two reservations being the lack of being certified and the color. I think black cars look great, but after my last black car I said never again since they show dirt and salt so much (I know, I know, wash my car more often...)

Is this a no-brainer? Or would you go for the certification?

[Zwolfe]

Had to choose between EX or LX. EX gets you a alloys and the side mirror turn signals and a better stereo system which all IMO are well-worth the price of admission.

Assuming car number one was not beat on there should be no major problems until the car is outside of warranty, anyway.

[kjanracing]

My wife has a 2011 lx and I have a 2010 EX NAV. the2011 overall feels just a little tighter and more put together. The IMA programming is way better. My 2010 wil only auto stop for about 40 seconds on a good day, the 2011 will stay off for about 90 sec. Enough time to make it through a entire stop light cycle. So yeah, go for the 2011.

[egads]

At such low miles the certification doesn't get you much. I'd go for EX for the little things it adds. Little things are important in such a hair shirt car. And the difference between black and polished metalic in the cleaning dept. is pretty nil. Now if one of them was silver...

[isoErnie]

Great, thanks so much for all of the insights! (no pun intdended )

[isoErnie]

Thanks again for the input on our decision...we joined the I2 club last night and brought home the black EX