[Future Insight]

I'm seriously thinking of getting a new 2006 Insight but I'm concerned about a couple things...I tend to drive very short trips (1-2 miles a few times a day).

Can the Insight handle that kind of wear and tear well? Does anyone else have experience driving this way with their car? Can I still expect to maintain 60mpg? Thanks for the info!

 

[2hybrids]

Since the Insight's best fuel efficiency comes after the car is warmed up, you will probably not get the mpg's that people doing longer commutes get. But a lot of this will depend on the journey's you take (i.e. terrain, temperature, stop lights, etc.)

I drive 2 miles to work and 2 miles home, 5 days per week in a CVT - I'm just barely plugging 53 mpg's. I know that my miles per gallon could be higher but the car warms up 3/4's of the way into my journey. There are times I wish my commute was longer...that is sad.

I'd still recommend Insight, or even an HCH for you though. Think of the crap mileage you'd be getting in a mono-fueled vehicle in comparison! :wink:

 

[Future Insight]

Thanks for the information...53 huh? But thats a CVT, right? So 60mpg still seems attainable in the 5spd probably.

I drove a 2006 red-5spd with a/c last night and it really was fun to drive. It was much peppier than I thought it would be too.


Thanks again for the info.

 

[Resist]

Can the Insight handle that kind of wear and tear well? Does anyone else have experience driving this way with their car? Can I still expect to maintain 60mpg?

Where would you get the idea the Insight is any different than any other vehicle with regards to short trip wear and tear? Most of my Insight's mileage is around town, short trip driving and it is fine. No, you can't expect to get 60mpg for city driving, more like around 50mpg with a CVT.

 

[Future Insight]

But the 5speed should be able to get 60mpg in town, right? Even with all the short trips?

 

[Jim]

short trips

No - probably not 60 - unless you're a short trip hypermiler or unless the Insight has been vastly improved since 2000.

 

[Resist]

But the 5speed should be able to get 60mpg in town, right? Even with all the short trips?

I believe it is possible, with the right driver behind the wheel. But not from the average person.

 

[Guest]

Hi Future Insight:

___The CVT based Insight can be forced into possibly a 85 - 100 mpg short length commutes even from dead cold with the right techniques, setup, proper in town traffic and roadways, and even alternate in city routes but as soon as you get into an inch ahead, stop, inch ahead, stop, repeat, your FE will tank. You would have to change your driving techniques drastically and to the extreme (I am really talking extreme) to receive that kind of FE but it can be done if you are willing to go through the motions from the instant you place her into N in your drive to the instant you turn off the key before arriving at work. It will be a ton of work but it is doable depending on how bad you want it. If it were me, I would consider instead a new or used Civic, Corolla, Echo, Ranger P/U, or Focus (must have a stick) to receive maybe 2/3 of the Insight’s FE over that same short distance from cold doing the same. Your TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) would be much lower w/ a non-hybrid in most cases if you are only driving 8 miles RT a day or less.

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes

 

[b1shmu63]

:lol: The Insight's engine is designed to start and stop repeatedly so it should actually do better than a regular car, all other things being equal.

That said Xcel is right in suggesting that a hybrid doesn't really pay back unless you put significant miles on it. I save about 500 dollars a year compared to my CRX SI. At this rate it will take about 55 years to pay for the car. :roll: To me the aluminum body was just as important. Then there is the environmental factor. What surprised me was how much fun it is owning a low production car and talking to so many folks in parking lots. Don't buy the Insight if you like being a recluse.

Sure, I could have bought the Echo for thousands less but the bouncy ride, the unlined trunk, and the lack of creature comforts showed it to be a basic econo car with great mileage.

 

[jbrasure]

Keep in mind that although the Insight won't get the best mileage during short trips, neither will ordinary cars. My Ford Explorer was supposed to get something like 24 MPG, but with my 2 mile commute it only got 11. On the other hand my CVT Insight got about 49. That's a nice improvement!

 

[Insightful Trekker]

Hey Future Insight and 2hybrids,

The factory available engine block heater should make a big MPG difference for your driving patterns :!:

HTH!

 

[retepsnikrep]

Short Trips, Alternative Transport?

Hi

You state you do mostly very short trips, 1-2 miles several times a day. You may be infirm, disabled, elderly or the weather may be inclemenet etc where you live, we don't know. If that's the case I am sure an Insight or pure EV is a good move.

However if you are able bodied, why not get a cycle, even an electrically assisted one if you need it. That would benefit you and the environment at the same time. Cheaper as well. 1-2 miles is a very easy cycle commute. In fact it would almost be as quick as getting the car out of garage, fueling up, doing the journey etc etc.

I have three vehicles.

A newly acquired Insight. Hybrid. 500+ mile range.

A complete home converted Li-Ion Electric Van. 100mile range.

An electrically assisted cycle. Home converted with a Heinzmann 500w hub motor and 36vh 8ah nimh battery pack. Human/EV Hybrid range 15 miles. Speed 15-20mph.

I choose my daily vehicle depending on weather, range reqd, speed reqd, etc etc.

I try to use the one with the least environmental impact each day. The Insight is my last choice, and not because it's bad.

Just a thought. Happy New Year.

Regards Peter Perkins

 

[Aaron Cake]

For only 1-2 miles a day (presumably local and on low speed roads) then look at a NEV. It's a Neighbourhood Electric Vehicle, basically a glorified golf-cart. I personally hate them (I prefer real EVs) but in your application it sounds ideal.

The Insight (like any gas car) does very poorly on short trip for reasons I'm sure have already been mentioned (I didn't read the whole thread).

 

[2hybrids]

John - regarding the block heater - am currently awaiting approval from the Chief Financial Officer (wife) for my next modification/upgrade funding installment....

 

[bug_girl]

I've driven in Houston--so, No, I don't think that you'll be able to get 60mpg in town, simply because you'll need to go 80miles/hr to avoid being flattened. And that isn't the speed that you get the best mileage at.

Dang, texans drive really fast and agressive!! I'm glad I moved away, even if it was up here to the frozen tundra.

edited to add--factory available block heater?? linky, please?

 

[bretthans]

Hi Future Insight,

As has been alluded to in previous posts, YMMV applies heavily here. Everything depends on what that 1-2 mile trip looks like: are there lots of stoplights or is it smooth sailing all the way? Is there bumper-to-bumper or very light traffic? What speed will you need to drive? 60mpg could be attained under pretty good conditions, maybe higher under ideal conditions in warmer weather, but much lower with bumper-to-bumper inching along traffic.

As an example, one route I take to run errands is about 1 mile. It has a stop sign and 4 stoplights along the way. On summer days with light traffic I can get 60-70mpg, but on most days traffic is heavy and I only get 35-40mpg.

The wear and tear is no different than any other car, and may be even better with the IMA starting system.

If I were you I would consider getting a used Insight since you will not recoup your gas money as quickly as someone driving higher miles. 2003 or newer seems to have gotten most of the bugs out. Although it is a bad word on this forum, for lots of stop-and-go traffic you might consider a Prius. As much as I like the EV ideas mentioned here, the Prius, in "stealth mode," is about as close as you can get for a production vehicle. You also get the extra seats.

I love the Insight and think it is a great car, but I also drive 70 miles per weekday of mostly highway driving and realize it is not the best choice for everyone.