Despite the low horsepower figures and swarms of worshipping eco-freaks, the Insight is energetic and fun to drive in traffic. And more importantly, should you buy one over a 2001-2003 Toyota Prius--the other, and considerably more successful hybrid that subsequently started the craze? Interior Features If the exterior looks strange wait until you get inside. There were other areas of moderate discontent. Steady 85 mph — no problem! The regs said nothing to prohibit close-quarters drafting behind a Ford Excursion rigged with a homemade rear air dam, thus punching a Hindenburg-size hole in the air. Though to my credit, Justin tells me that I still managed to maintain more than 60mpg during my somewhat spirited test drive. It also delivers fuel economy that leads to some decent monetary savings over time.
Though check with the owner what tire pressures he or she runs--many owners put a few extra pounds in there to help improve mileage further. I am looking forward to putting another 200,000 miles in this car! Despite the extra weight of the battery pack, electric motor, and all the systems necessary to use them, it still weighs in at a mere 1,878lbs — and that includes the optional air conditioning. Through a system called Integrated Motor Assist, a six-horsepower electric motor, powered by a modestly sized nickel-metal hydride battery pack, contributes when needed, assisting the gas engine during acceleration or hill-climbing and enabling a total output of 73 hp. It's virtually undrivable on the freeway on these big, tall, wobbly tire-tread blocks. Despite being so miserly on fuel the Insight offers creature comforts such as climate control optional , power windows and a remote key fob. About Us Founded in July 2007, RightFootDown started as a simple blog. Because of this, it makes an ideal commuter car, a great runabout as a second car, and a good car for someone on a budget.
The oil pan is even a magnesium alloy! Best part about this vehicle is you dont necessarily need the hybrid battery to run it. A pair of lights reminds you when to upshift and downshift for best fuel economy. Justin had made sure we had a full battery before we went for a drive by using a Hybrid Automotive grid charger that carefully and precisely overcharges the battery pack to slightly more than its maximum rating. The front and rear bumpers are plastic and may be hard to find, but they should be cheaper than new fenders. And we have no one to thank but ourselves. Computer geeks and gamers will enjoy all the readouts.
Honda describes these displays as being like a video game. Most issues will be battery- related rather than motor-related. Yes, six hundred clams sounds like a lot for a jack, but every time we needed one and only had to lift the 35 pounds of the jack instead of 70, we were grateful. Honda sold little over 17,000 units worldwide between Japanese sales starting in 1999 and production stopping in 2006. Several Insights have done over 300,000 miles now with few issues, and one has even breached the 400,000 barrier.
For a 1-liter car, the mileage some drivers have put on Insights with no major issues is extraordinary. Until then, automatic climate control air conditioning remains the only major option. And although we profess some disappointment with 48 mpg over 40,000 miles, we must admit it's a noteworthy achievement. The electric motor required no attention whatsoever. While in town the Insight feels at ease and sporty, at highway speeds the steering is oversensitive and requires frequent corrections. It has been a wonderful day to day car getting over 56 miles per gallon in city and 69.
With just two seats and little luggage space, it's little more than a commuter runabout. The regenerative braking phases in and out in a much smoother fashion than in the Prius The Prius brakes tend to feel jerky due to the regenerative braking function. The second-place entry managed a paltry 83. The floor of this storage area is high as it covers the battery pack and electronic control unit underneath. Performance and ride are more than adequate for around town and occasional long trips. Carrying children is not recommended because the passenger-side airbag has no cut-off switch. The driving range is only limited by the 10.
A low, aerodynamic front end leads to a steeply raked windshield and a gradually sloping roofline that ends in a tall, stubby rear end. This car is a technological tour de force in many ways. Oh, and for the celebrities out there, and everyone else, we think the Insight makes a pretty strong statement. The Insight is a sporty two-seater, good for commuting, and it gets much better mileage but makes noticeable compromises in cargo space and overall smoothness. The difference is the that is sandwiched between the engine and transmission. The cylinders are offset to one side of the crankshaft so the pistons push straight down during the ignition stroke rather than at an angle. Then I saw about a modified.
Can't figure why they stopped making them. The shift action is smooth and precise, and the light clutch engagement makes for easy launches. When it comes to maximizing fuel economy, they probably are. Auto-shut-off inconsistencies were merely annoying, but another persistent complaint was more serious. Someone actually took the trouble to modify a first generation Insight. The seats are comfortable and give plenty of leg and head room, even for taller people. Simply put, the battery supplies juice when the electric motor is being used.
Like all used cars, you have to do your homework. Carrying children is not recommended because the passenger-side airbag has no cut-off switch. It's never once let me down, and what failures that I have encountered such as a bad idler wheel have given me warning before completely failing e. Major improvements are hampered by the narrower rear track, which maximizes the likelihood that at least one of the four tires is riding on a poor section of pavement. We experimented with a little front toe-in—just an eighth of an inch—and found that it had a profound effect on fuel economy, which deflated from 68. If you've been reading Green Car Reports over the past week, you might have seen t--an example of one of the first hybrids sold by a major automaker.