[CommonSenseAl]

The LX looks fairly well equipt.

As an older person on limited income, I really must concentrate on eliminating recurring monthly costs.
I do not pay recurring monthly bills unless absolutely necessary.
So, I do not have a cell phone and would never contract with a radio provider. You younger folks should add that money to your 401Ks instead.

With that in mind, what looks good in the upgrade to EX for me?
HD Radio! (Better reception and my favorite station is 88.5 .2 KSBR)
Honda Lane Watch (I am getting old and YOU want me to have this)
8" Screen (Old eyes, this might help me)
Walk away auto lock. (I admit spoiled with this on 2006 HCH)

Makes little difference or seen as a negative:
8 speaker vs 6 speaker (LX). I won't hear the difference.
Sirius is undesirable to me due to recurring costs.
The iPhone/Android interface might be nice if I purchased a cell phone. However, those Operating Systems are constantly changing with no expectation they will be the same in 5 years. Isn't an OS replacement planned. Would I need to keep an old phone/service for 15 years?
60/40 split rear seat. This could make a big difference if you have a baby seat in rear all of the time. Baby not in my current plans. Either full or 60/40 works to take my sweet old cat to Vet.
Remote start (Seriously, why waist fuel!).

Sounds like the relatively small upgrade price to the EX is worth it for the features you mentioned... they are very important and useful features if you ask me.

HD Radio is great... especially if you are not going to pay for SiriusXM (I don't plan to).

Love the walk away auto lock feature too... one of the first things I enabled.

Android Auto is a no-brainer for me.

Remote start is very useful in hot and cold weather and the Insight won't "waste" gas. It will turn the engine off unless it's actually needed.

 

[CommonSenseAl]

I do not pay recurring monthly bills unless absolutely necessary.
So, I do not have a cell phone and would never contract with a radio provider.

Oh... I hate recurring bills too. I use Tracfone and only pay as needed for more minutes or data. It saves me a ton of money and no recurring bills.

And my phone works with the Insight EX's Android Auto.

 

[CommonSenseAl]

Enough about me. What needs do you have that would cause you to select one option set over the other?

It's more about wants... the EX's added features are quite useful. I could live with the LX but I would definitely want and use most of the EX added features.

I didn't want the touring because it's significantly more money and it loses some fuel economy... but the auto dimming mirror and moon-roof would have been very nice.

 

[CommonSenseAl]

Understood.
However, let's not forget that the cost of enabling Sirius is included in the EX upgrade price.

Yes, you have to pay for the much better radio with HD Radio, a touch screen, SiriusXM (which you don't have to subscribe to), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.... or go without all that great stuff.

But if you don't want all that stuff then just get the LX and be done with it.

 

[CommonSenseAl]

I think the Sirius thing is like they give you a year for free. The XM radio companies have deals with automakers to provide a year free of their service on new cars in the hopes that owners will like it then want to continue with a subscription. I know that's how it used to work with Ford. Not sure about other manufacturers but I'd imagine this is the same thing.

It's only 3 months... at least that is all I got with my EX.

 

[CommonSenseAl]

FYI I sold my daughter my gen 2 Insight ("Blue Bird"). She's got it up to around 120k with no problems.

Is it still on the original battery (for the hybrid drive) or have you had to put money into the battery?

 

[CommonSenseAl]

Original battery(s)!! No battery problems or concerns what so ever!

Only problem was the TPMS warning light incorrectly came on and stayed on. Had to replace an expensive sensor.
Only other costs were frequent (perhaps unnecessary) oil changes every 4-5,000 miles, and associated brake adjustment and other routine service, and oh yes new tires at around 40k. Daughter got sold a bill of goods and got new tires again at around 86k.

P.S. Gen 3 has its TPMS system updated.

Thanks! Good to hear although I do wonder how much battery life is left.

As for oil changes, I also wonder how frequently the 2019 Insight will say you need maintenance or an oil change since the engine doesn't run half the time. Did the 2nd gen Insight have a "maintenance minder" system to tell you when it was time for an oil change or did you just take the car in yourself about every 5K miles?

Do these hybrid cars need "brake adjustments" that "normal" cars don't need?

As for tires, they use crappy/cheap tires that don't last very long on the new cars, right? That has been my experience. I was surprised how soon I needed to get new tires on my 2012 Honda Fit (my previous car).

 

[CommonSenseAl]

Yes. Same is true for the gen 2 and my Civic hybrid. Also both cars had wheel alignment problems, apparently since brand new. The Civic needed both front and rear alignment adjustment.

Thanks for the info.

Regarding the wheel alignment. I think my Fit was misaligned since new and I had to pay for an alignment when I figured it out.

I searched for Honda warranty coverage on wheel alignment and it may be covered for 12K miles or 1 year (but not sure).... so maybe I should take it to the dealer and get it checked out before then to make sure the alignment is good and get it fixed if not.