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My Insight II should arrive this week, a week later than I was promised. As many of us know, sticker is the best deal out there for new Insights right now. THat being said, what about the other details?
HondaCare warranty? Cheaper online, are they about the same as the HCH II?

What about pushing for a cargo cover, all weather mats, or a block heater thrown in?
It's been awhile since I played the car buying game...

so you got yours at msrp? for a car that's hot and low in inventory that's not a bad buy

I gave a grand for a deposit back in August, and the receipt/ contract is written for MSRP.

I paid MSRP for mine too. They said that they would do that for me since I was the only person who had ordered one from them. They gave me all the stickers that would've gone on the window and if I hadn't bought it, they would have sold it for a little more than 24G. And that's w/o nav! But I tried to get them to throw in stuff like mats but I don't think I was playing that game good enough. I hope you can get more greenrider!

I am offering $300 below MSRP currently for CleanMPG Members.

And for folks off the street we aren't doing those markup games.

Mats aren't standard on the Fit, Civic DX, Insight, or Ridgeline RT

I am offering $300 below MSRP currently for CleanMPG Members.

And for folks off the street we aren't doing those markup games. ...

Hmmm. With the local dealer adding ADM of 1995 and unneeded options of 1200, and DW pushing for a vacation out your way to catch the friends and sights we missed last time, ...

But I won't make any decisions until the Prius is priced and available for test drives.

-- Dean

I am offering $300 below MSRP currently for CleanMPG Members.

And for folks off the street we aren't doing those markup games.

Mats aren't standard on the Fit, Civic DX, Insight, or Ridgeline RT

The pull out package cover is extra also isn't it. The cars I looked at had the notch's for one. I thought it absurd that basic stuff was extra on the Insight.

The pull out package cover is extra also isn't it. The cars I looked at had the notch's for one. I thought it absurd that basic stuff was extra on the Insight.

It's one way to keep the price of the base model LX below 20 grand, though. Both cars that we've had that had those covers, we've removed them as soon as we got home and put them somewhere in the garage... who knows behind what pile now. Wouldn't have paid for them if they hadn't come with the car. Honda must think there are others out there like me who have no use for those covers?

I drove it March 26. I absolutely loved it, but not quite enough to get rid of my paid-for '06 New Formula Red Insight with just 37K miles on it, with a 7y/120Kmi warranty. If I was driving anything else, I would truly have walked off the lot with the blue EX/no NAV.

~Linda
--
http://www.greendriveexpo.com
July 18-19, 2009
Madison, WI

The pull out package cover is extra also isn't it. The cars I looked at had the notch's for one. I thought it absurd that basic stuff was extra on the Insight.

what is a pull out package? and cover???

Paul, I believe he is referring to the "window shade" style privacy cover for the rear cargo area.

It does sound like the tonneau cover is bing described.

I looked at one earlier today. My wife really liked it. Maybe we can drop the Xterra for a new insight.

I looked at one earlier today. My wife really liked it. Maybe we can drop the Xterra for a new insight.

Nice. Kind of a parallel change to this one:
http://tinyurl.com/6nf6c4http://tinyurl.com/5ucedo

Finally picked it up this evening and drove it home.

MPG is easy to hit with the Eco button. Instrumentation is outstanding. I was playing with the gauges on the way home and could have done better if I concentrated the whole time. The first 4 miles from the dealership in Marion, IL was heavy stop and go traffic and I left town with 64mpg on the fcd. I'm getting ready to go out for a night drive. I need to condition myself to start midnights tomorrow night anyway.:DI'll set up the Scangauge, Press the tires and roll. Speaking of tires, that is one thing I'm not happy with: Dunlop SP37's. They were on the HCHII and I didn't care for the drive or the wear. The rear control arm may have factored on it. I may consider putting some Ecopia's on it if I can get a decent trade.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/621/Insight_II_drive_home.jpg

You make me look like a chump, I'm going to sneak some air into the demo before I drive it again.

Temp was in the upper 60's but I think the air was in the low 30's by the way the tires look.

4 miles was stop and go and the rest was highway at 50 to 55 mph.

I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but it feels like driving the HCH in mush when I'm driving the Insight, I haven't gone any real distance with ECO off, just enough to see it made the throttle respond similar to the HCHII

I just got back from the trip and WOW, I love the Eco button!
Show your customers this pic.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/621/Insight_round_trip.JPG

goodness me, look at those temps, I can't do that in an HCHII at those temps on my commute.

Nice work, Mike!!! :woot:

Did anyone else see the TV commercials for the Insight during Chuck and Heroes last night? :D

those were well done!

posted from my Google phone

Still waiting for mine...so far, I'm very disappointed with Honda. I doubt I'll ever order a car pre-release again.

Don't let an experience with one dealer get you down, I understand your frustration though.

Actually, my regional Honda sales and service rep even admitted to me that it was Honda's, not the dealer's, fault. Of course, as for doing anything to remedy the situation, good luck.

Hi Greenrider:

___Not that this will help but I asked some of the PR Reps in NY and at the Insight-II launch event in Anaheim, CA yesterday about the shortages to some dealerships. Originally, the Insight-II was supposed to launch on Earth Day with plenty of supply for dealers by the 22nd. Because of the early launch late last month, many dealerships were without inventory until now.

___It is not an excuse of course but it should help everyone understand the reasons for slow inventory build around the country.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Wow, all I can say is that today (April 23) was the first day that Honda Canada allowed Insights II to be sold. Of course, this did not prevent one local dealer from selling a sweet looking Insight to one of our members (Hook401) well before the Earth Day milestone. :D

Mike: If the Insight II becomes popular in these parts then look for the Canadian market to start nibbling into whatever manufacturing supply deficit there is. Of course, there will be little to worry about if Honda keeping cranking production up. But until that happens, supply and allocation may be limited for some. :(

Kevin: Sorry I missed you at the Earth Day event at Birchwood Honda. I ended up returning to the dealership for the 6:00 to 9:00 main event. Everyone was talking about you (the first Insight II owner in Manitoba, or even Canada) and they were really eager to let me know you we looking for me.


Cheers

MSantos

So far, I've been able to average 52 mpg on the highway. On a warm engine, I can get 60+ in town, but it depends on how long my trip is. Needless to stay, my geology professor is absolutely STOKED about my car purchase. When I told him that was my Insight sitting out in the parking lot, he was embarrassed to admit that he had oogled over it for the past week. Haha.

And I had someone approach me at the grocery store to ask how I liked it because he was going to pick his up the next day (4/21). So Yay! I hope Honda is finding success selling these so far. Can't wait to find out the figures. I'm sorry to hear you haven't gotten your car yet Greenrider, but it is well worth the wait! I promise!

Reminds me of the time we got a truckload of brand new 2008 Civics, after we'd already received several shipments of 2009 Civics, selling that to the customer was interesting.

Then we ran out of Civics Accords and Gas, those were fun times. Oh and then the economy went really south. Things are up this month so far.

I've yet to see any on the road around here in Charlotte, NC. I've seen more 09 HCH II's and Smart cars though. I'm sure when gas prices rise with the summer coming, I may see some (along w/ the new Prius).

Jess

I saw a truck load of smarts pass me at the exit to work last week, they can fit twice as many on their trucks too, not just two to one parking spot

Hi Greenrider:

___Not that this will help but I asked some of the PR Reps in NY and at the Insight-II launch event in Anaheim, CA yesterday about the shortages to some dealerships. Originally, the Insight-II was supposed to launch on Earth Day with plenty of supply for dealers by the 22nd. Because of the early launch late last month, many dealerships were without inventory until now.

___It is not an excuse of course but it should help everyone understand the reasons for slow inventory build around the country.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

What was frustrating is that Honda, per themselves, knew what all of the preorders were at Chicago area dealerships. They had several that matched our specs but sent them to other dealerships. Thus, many people who ordered months in advance are still waiting while those who walked in off the street drove away. It was solely a case of extremely poor planning. coordination or just plain laziness on the part of Honda, who had done nothing but "expedite" the cars and say "oops!." My loan approval was good for 30 days, and if I have to reapply for credit because of their incompetence..well...let's just say it won't go smoothly for the Honda regional rep the second time we talk.

I just got a price on a Insight EX w/navi for 22.460 OTD. It best come down more or no deal........ May trade the wifes Accord. I will keep my MZ3 for the time being.

Working with a dude off the sales floor. My net sales person is off this weekend. See where it goes.

OK

After a day of emails and a few phone calls. Insight EX, 21.100 OTD plus tt&L. Insight EX, w/Navi 22.460 OTD plus tt&l. Base HCHII 19.998 OTD plus tt&l. HCHII w/Navi 22.000 OTD plus tt&l. Mazda6 I4, 5AT S-Touring still very fluid. Numbers still less than any of the over priced Honda Hybrids. Way less! The Mazda dealer is wanting to make back some money on my Mazda3 deal when I hung the meat to them. So a bottom line has not been met.

I would bet I can get deep into hold back on any of the Hondas once my net salesman gets back in next week. In the event we do end up buying a Insight or HCHII from my net salesman I will give 50 bucks to the gent that worked with me today. He knows the net salesman will give me a better deal. :)

Its clear no matter what the Insight is over priced. Its a smaller Fit with a hell of a adder. And when it comes to EPA hwy the Civic puts a spanking on Insight. My wife gets EPA hwy in her Accord. so I have no doubt she will get epa hwy in a new car. And seeing she drive almost all hwy. The HCHII is looking better. Not to mention it at least has independent rear suspension. Base HCHII is cheaper than Insight EX. That seems kind of strange to say the least.

Will see what evolves over the next week.

What was frustrating is that Honda, per themselves, knew what all of the preorders were at Chicago area dealerships. They had several that matched our specs but sent them to other dealerships. Thus, many people who ordered months in advance are still waiting while those who walked in off the street drove away. It was solely a case of extremely poor planning. coordination or just plain laziness on the part of Honda, who had done nothing but "expedite" the cars and say "oops!." My loan approval was good for 30 days, and if I have to reapply for credit because of their incompetence..well...let's just say it won't go smoothly for the Honda regional rep the second time we talk.

That's not how the ordering process works, everyone puts their orders in once a month for delivery 90 days later, you get an allocation of so many of each model and trim, you can change the colors and your (the dealer's) Honda rep can help with special circumstances. If another dealer already had an approved order for a car like yours it will continue to be processed, unless the two staffs want to help each other out.

The cars are built in blocks of 30 to 60, all the same model, trim and color, each block of 30 is usually a double batch to get to the 60.

No doubt, you are the victim of poor logistics. If your pre-order was in and they'd already made their order (and at the point where it was final) they should have requested an online swap one of their incoming unbuilt (or even ocean transit) units for one of the other dealerships to get you taken care of.

I was told that dealers recieved an allotment initially late in March and had no choice as what was actually in the allotment. Why the dealer or Honda rep, when they knew about the issue, didn't attempt to trade the car that matched my specs at a dealer less than 10 miles away (I actually found it first) is beyond me. I'm referring to that initial allotment when I mention the lack of logistics on Honda's part.

There was a specific car ordered to my specs as well, and that is the car I will be recieving this week. I just wish Honda could have coordinated the allotment allocations better to satisfy the customers who had already placed deposits and had cars ordered for them. TO have it first thing would have been nice.

I was kind of surprised by Honda's lack of concern as well. When I worked in management, I had to kiss so much rear end when there was a problem like this that I went home feeling like I had doodie-flavored chapstick on. Honda seems to have the attitude of "we'll sell everyone we can make anyway" that I found at local Mini dealerships when my wife and I began researching cars for her late last summer. I just expected better customer service from Honda, especially since this is my 3rd Honda in 3 years.

They don't ask us what we have pre-ordered during initial allocation, a computer formula and the district or zone manger ok it. Yours definatly should have been in that first batch of cars that the dealership did get to pick.

It is a slim chance that the dealership with the car doesn't do dealer transfers, if so there isn't anything your dealer can do about it other than pay full sticker for the car, if that, because the dealerships with this attitude will try to report it as sold on their end and that'd make it a used car by the time it got to you at your dealership.

The new model process is clunky, I try to let my customers know not to get their hopes up, and if the first one off the truck is theirs then that is an exciting day. My own vehicle I didn't expect it to arrive before November but we got it at the very end of September. I wouldn't have known any of the weirdness if I hadn't seen that original car get delayed and disappear and get replaced by the one I drive today. The second car got to the country before the first was scheduled to do so.

Finally got our Insight tonight. It's sweeeet!

Post some pics! :D

Congrats! Make the leaves grow!


Finally got our Insight tonight. It's sweeeet!

Congratulations!

Thanks!

Since it's my wfe's car, you can say congratulations when I finally get to drive it somewhere :D

There you go Mike. Congrats on the new ride... and yes, please post some pics :D

Cheers;

MSantos

You have to set your priorities. The day we got ours, I drove it from 12-3:30am after everyone had gone to bed.:D

Thanks!

Since it's my wfe's car, you can say congratulations when I finally get to drive it somewhere :D

Post some pics! :D

Here ya go! Already dirty, haven't had a chance to Rejex it yet.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/546/medium/IMG_1193.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/546/medium/IMG_1191.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/546/medium/IMG_1185.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/11324/cat/546

FOr whatever reason, this isn't working...

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/11324/cat/546

FOr whatever reason, this isn't working...

Very nice!

By the way, you can't grab the Location URL -- you have to take the URL presented in the box underneath the photo when it is displayed. :)

Ahhh...mucho gracias!

You have to set your priorities. The day we got ours, I drove it from 12-3:30am after everyone had gone to bed.:D

Since she drives it to work everyday, she's been kind enough to let me drive it when we go out anywhere:woot:

It's funny how many people are surprised when they realize we have 2 hybrids (God forbid). They can't seem to get why we would want a "bigger" car for "going places." I'm sure this will get revisited at the next gas price run-up.:D

Hello, All!

My first visit here so bear with while I learn how to post a message.

I've had my Insight less than a week now.:bananajump: So far I'm rather pleased with the purchase! Like other posts I've seen here, I paid MSRP.

My best mpg came during the ride home from the dealership on the Interstate where I was getting 49.9 mpg. That also includes some start-stop in town driving from the Interstate exit to home.

My worst mpg came from a 1/3 mile trip from a convenience store to home. (18 mpg with the Eco mode off.)

If you're interested, I have some images of the car at: http://gw.jaswaye.com/Insight.html I added a plug for the dealership at the end because I was so impressed by the great buying experience.

At the moment I'm waiting for them to receive and install fog lights. I've included someone else's picture until then. I think they add a nice touch.

Welcome to CleanMPG!

Be sure and read Beating the EPA (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1510) to learn all the secrets.

Congrats on your purchase and I believe you will be very happy with it if you're looking for great mileage.

What kind of car did this replace?

Why are folks paying even close to MSRP for these cars?

We could have got a Insight II for $388 above invoice at our dealer. But $5K off MSRP on a HCHII was a much better deal. :)

Only paid $467 above invoice on my 06 Civic EX Sedan when they first came out. It was the first 8th gen Civic my dealer sold.

I guess I'm confused why soooo many folks seem to get soaked when buy Honda's in other parts of the USA. I think I like my dealer better than the cars. :)

Why are folks paying even close to MSRP for these cars?

We could have got a Insight II for $388 above invoice at our dealer. But $5K off MSRP on a HCHII was a much better deal. :)

Only paid $467 above invoice on my 06 Civic EX Sedan when they first came out. It was the first 8th gen Civic my dealer sold.

I guess I'm confused why soooo many folks seem to get soaked when buy Honda's in other parts of the USA. I think I like my dealer better than the cars. :)

Probably because we live a little closer to civilization, where incomes, and demand, are higher. I don't know about OK, but when lived in the middle of nowhere in OH we didn't pay sticker for anything, no matter how new. Insights sell well in this metro area at least, and sticker is common for them. Perhaps demand is just lower in your area. I guess that's the price we pay for living in a higher demand area, but I take offense to the implication that those of us who paid more, rather than less, are somehow stupid "suckers."

Probably because we live a little closer to civilization, where incomes, and demand, are higher. I don't know about OK, but when lived in the middle of nowhere in OH we didn't pay sticker for anything, no matter how new. Insights sell well in this metro area at least, and sticker is common for them. Perhaps demand is just lower in your area. I guess that's the price we pay for living in a higher demand area, but I take offense to the implication that those of us who paid more, rather than less, are somehow stupid "suckers."

Hold Up! I did not mean to offend anybody at all.

The Tulsa dealers are known for thug sales pratices. So I steer clear of them. They will get close to my dealers pricing. But you have to play stupid car dealer games. My dealer use to have the OTD prices post on there website less there doc fee of $99.00. so you could purchase a car over the net in way less than a hour at a very good price. They are not priced now because some of the thug dealers got together and complained to Honda, thus getting them into some hot water.

My basic car buying pratice is to get them cheap as I can. They are a money looser no matter what one pays. So hedge the bet. :)

Now as far as us folks in the sticks. Cars, Homes, And construction has not stopped. Homes are still being built as are major projects like a Co-Gen Plant for a local Hospital. And it is the most Advanced Co-Gen Plant in the world. Our economy is doing much better than most here in the sticks.

I've just never understood why folks pay MSRP or above on a car. Any Car. When I purchased my 06 Civic EX the Tulsa dealers were selling the same car for $2k or more above MSRP.

Be Good

Allow me to clarify. When I say "sticks," I am referring to the smaller towns and semi0rural/rural areas (my hometown was 8K population). There were far fewer households with six-figure incomes and significant disposable income than there are here in the Chicago area, even now. Heck, some were able to live on the equivalent of what homeowners pay in property taxes in the higher-rent suburbs around here!

We have our thug dealers too (Honda on Grand, anyone?), and they sound alot like the Tulsa-area dealers. Obviously, buying away from a metro area is the best bet if it is possible (that would be a half-day's drive to get to a dealer out of the immediate Chicago/Milwaukee metro area for me).

I'm probably just a little sore still from paying close to sticker for mine :mad:( at least I got a free trunk tray and all weather mats). I have a moral problem with paying anywhere close to list price for a vehicle that obviously depreciates rapidly, but the lease on the Ridgeline was up May 5 and I really didn't have a choice. :o Oh well, at least the HCH II and now the Insight have both been good cars thus far...

Please,,, let me be clear. I did not mean to insult anybody.

I just have a major problem with paying MSRP for cars / big ticket items. I sell pumps, chillers, boilers and there support systems. I do the engineering, sizing, sales, startup and warrenty on our products. And when a car dealer tells me they are doing me a favor. I can assure they have done no such thing.

Even on our recent HCHII purchase. My sales person was very clear on the deal and broke it out for us. His bottom line was you get it all but $14 in hold back. I just laughed at him,,, come on man. Your not selling this car at a lose leader nor are you making me feel good at a,, I get it all but $14 bucks in hold back. Honda is tipping there hat at you. LMAO.

But so it goes....

peace

"doing me a favor..."

HA!! I still laugh when a salesman tries to tell me that. Or my other favorite "you're killing me."

No, I'll send you the payment book in your name, then I'll be killing you for the next few years...

Honda indicated that incentives will be waning this year, so hopefully prices won't jump too much.

"doing me a favor..."

HA!! I still laugh when a salesman tries to tell me that. Or my other favorite "you're killing me."

No, I'll send you the payment book in your name, then I'll be killing you for the next few years...

Honda indicated that incentives will be waning this year, so hopefully prices won't jump too much.

I see you own a Insight and HCH. What is your gut and ass telling you about the cars? What is your mpg gut /butt meter telling you? What is your road tester inards screaming to you?

I will be honest,, up front and fact. We went into our current car purchase looking hard at a InsightII with Navi. But I and the wife could not get over the smaller worse driving Fit compact if that means anything.

Would you please grass root a write up for us on InsightII...... Reallly!!!! We know hat we drove and saw............ Give us you pro's and con's,,,,,,

Thanks
Jeff

Hi Jeff:

___Time to back you down a touch... The preview is in the Review section and Greenrider owns an excellent Insight-II, not an HCH-II.

___It has more utility by a long shot over anything but a Prius yet costs less as equipped regardless of MSRP or not. Most dealers are still trying to pull MSRP for their Insight-II's but as we all know, first off the truck pays the dearest and unfortunately GreenRider was stuck with a lease end.

___Fortunately, he owns an Insight-II that many here are pulling low to mid-60’s from them while moving faster than 40 mph and that is why someone would want to own one ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I will be honest, up front and fact. We went into our current car purchase looking hard at a InsightII with Navi. But I and the wife could not get over the smaller worse driving Fit compact if that means anything.

Not to knock dealers as I did in my lst post. My Insight got hijacked for a week or so, and I'm still little cynical as a result.

As for comparison, I think I'm still unfairly swayed by the new-car smell of the Insight II:), or I'm getting high from the Scotchguard fumes. The Insight is more flexible due to it's hatchback. I also expect that it will experience far fewer recals on the IMA battery than the HCH due to the Insight's lower, and thus cooler, positioning of the IMA battery.

Overall, I like the CVT in the Insight better. I have to agree with your assessment of the HCH II CVT after owning one for just under 41K miles now. Even though I've changed to CVT fliud x2 once and x1 again last year, I'm still no entirely sold on it. The Insight II does have improved performance over the HCH II, perhaps b/c of aerodynamics, or just that it's new? There isn't that much of a weight difference between the two, but the Civic feels notably more sluggish. Also, I've taken a mileage hit since putting Nokian WR-G2s on to replace the Dunlops ~4K ago. My mileage with the HCH is running in the low 40s since with the tires ar 45 psi.

The Insight's mileage has improved notably since pumping up the tire pressure. It's only got about 650 miles on it but I did manage to steal it away for a drive to work and back (55 miles RT) the other day. I like the ambient lighting prompts in the speedometer, but I'm still getting used to the somewhat busy dash. For whatever reason, I just can't get the seat and wheel positioned as comfortably as my HCH II, which is overall more comfortable for me, at least. As I said, the CVT is definitely improved, and I got surprisingly good mileage experimenting the the 7-speed shifter for a short period. My city mileage was significantly improved with the Insight over my HCH II (47 mpg on a less than 10 mile errand run, from a cold start, in high 50's temps).

The tires on the I-II are the same awful Dunlops that came with the HCH. My wife says they are better in the rain than Civic's were, but I'm still skeptical :eyebrow:. My overall mileage on that trip was between 49 and 50 while using the ECO assist and without trying too hard. In my experience, the ECO assist's modification of the operating perameters and the speedometer plays an intergal role in the mpg gains. It handles well like a typical Honda, but it's obviously not an S2000. Compared to your Mazda 3, I'm sure either would be lacking in performance and handling. I've never owned a higher-performing vehicle, so I've got no point of comparison.

Since it is my wife's daily driver, I haven't gotten to drive it all that much yet. Was it worth paying closer to sticker than invoice? Hard to say. We were over the barrel due to the lease, otherwise I'm never usually the first guy on the block with the new toy simply because I'm not willing to pay the premium. The Insight wins in stop/go and congested driving. Mileage comparisons are hard b/c of the new tires on the Civic, but I still think the Insight wins even when compared to the original Dunlops on the HCH.

If a prospective buyer could get a deal like yours at a few hundred $$ over invoice I'd encourage them to consider it. Depending on a buyer's specific needs or wants, the HCH is also a great contender.

If I have any "insights" as I drive the car more, I'll post them.

Hi Jeff;

I have a review and comparison between the 2010 Insight and the HCH-II coming up soon (been kind of busy lately). I agree with Wayne in that the Insight is a car with excellent versatility and also very competent in the FE side of things.

How do the two compare, well let's just say the review will have a lot of details. In the meantime, I have this simple video from the test unit I had and a summary of the FE I got.
(You may want to play it in High Definition to see some of the detail)

http://www.youtube.com/v/jkpTe0OQnKE&hl=en&fs=1

Cheers;

MSantos

Hi Jeff:

___Time to back you down a touch... The preview is in the Review section and Greenrider owns an excellent Insight-II, not an HCH-II.

___It has more utility by a long shot over anything but a Prius yet costs less as equipped regardless of MSRP or not. Most dealers are still trying to pull MSRP for their Insight-II's but as we all know, first off the truck pays the dearest and unfortunately GreenRider was stuck with a lease end.

___Fortunately, he owns an Insight-II that many here are pulling low to mid-60’s from them while moving faster than 40 mph and that is why someone would want to own one ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne


Thought he owned both.

Thought he owned both.

I actually do, and I've been happy with both (despite the lacking CVT in the HCH II). MSantos is clearly more knowledgeable than me about the fine details of both vehicles. I'll simply give my overall impressions so far.

I should also add that I'll take an Insight II any day over an HCH at night. After driving a night with both cars the last few evenings, the projector beam lights on the Insight are and night-and-day improvement (no pun intended) over the reflectors in the Civic.

Most dealers are still trying to pull MSRP for their Insight-II's but as we all know, first off the truck pays the dearest...

:D Don't laugh at me, I wanted it and I wanted it NOW, being first on the block with one meant nothing to me, though I was, in my area. :D

...
I should also add that I'll take an Insight II any day over an HCH at night. After driving a night with both cars the last few evenings, the projector beam lights on the Insight are and night-and-day improvement (no pun intended) over the reflectors in the Civic.

Hi Mike;

It is funny that you mention that, because that is exactly the impression I got from the 2010 Insight (EX) with projector headlights. In fact, I liked them so much that I ended up looking for projector headlights for the HCH-II and ... I found them. :D

http://www.anzousa.com/mmproducts/headlight_prod/honda/headprod_big/121175.jpg


I am in the process of obtaining specs from Anzo and other manufacturers and depending on a few factors... who knows ;)


Cheers;

MSantos

Manuel, keep me in the loop on this one, it is one of the few Prius features I'm currently suffering withdrawals with (bring back my HIDs on the HCHIII :mad:).

I payed full price and I had to pay for the floor mats because they said my trade in was losing them money..
It was only $150 but it seems stupid to have to pay for them.. At least I got the all weather floor mats.. not the cloth ones that get ruined in a week.
This is just a lease anyway so no big deal
the offer was 199 a month with 0 down.. but my car I owed like $14000 and the trade in value was only like 11 something.. so I had to put 1200 down and roll the rest into the lease.. Also purchased the extra 15000 service agreement which gave me warranty up to 45,000 miles and 9 free oil changes, road side assistance.. etc which bumped me up to $362 a month.. Not bad as my old subaru I was paying $351 a month.. only getting 20-25mpg

I will try to do better on my next lease.. The insight was an impulse buy.
My wife told me about it.. I test drove it once.. then we bought it a couple hours later
Hopefully in 3 years when my lease is up they will have better batteries and better technology.

The color options at my dealership were white or red.. so I got the white
THey said the insight sales have not been too good.. the one I bought was on the showroom floor for 6 months.

Hmmm....i guess i got a killer deal, but i went in ready to buy 2 vehicles. Got the wife a civic coupe and myself, i got the insight 2 lx package for like 1800 under sticker. Good luck.:flag:

[QUOTE=
Hopefully in 3 years when my lease is up they will have better batteries and better technology.

.[/QUOTE]

I've heard there is a company out of Toronto selling lithium ion batteries for insights for like 9k after market. At this point its not really worth the cash, and the idea isn't really to put a bigger charge on yer battery, with these cars, anyway. IMO you should be fine with the stock one. But then, i'm kinda a newb. :flag:

Hi Sidfreak:

___Li-Ion’s in an Insight-II or any IMA based Honda will not help their FE.

___That said, Butterfly Mage is the person to follow regarding Insight-II pricing as he purchased his for $17K. Not sure if there are regions still offering this $2K under the table to dealerships but if so, at least you have a target. An HI-II LX at $17K is a very good deal imho.

___Good Luck

___Wayne