Article Comments - 2010 Honda Insight vs. 2010 Toyota Prius

36 messages, Last post on Jul 28, 2009 at 6:57 AM

You are in the Toyota Prius Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer

What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, Car Comparisons, Hybrid Cars, Hatchback, Sedan

Comparison Test: 2010 Honda Insight vs. 2010 Toyota Prius - "The good news for consumers is that the market has plenty of room for both the Prius and Insight in their respective segments," Carter adds. (more)

Outline

Messages Page 1 of 4: 1; 2; 3; 4; Prev; Next; Last

#1 of 36 Article Comments - 2010 Honda Insight vs. 2010 Toyota Prius by KarenS HOST Apr 14, 2009 (5:55 am)
At the launch of the 2010 Toyota Prius, Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager for Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., tells us, "We'll face two challenges when the Prius goes on sale: the economy and the 2010 Honda Insight. Comparison Test: 2010 Honda Insight vs. 2010 Toyota Prius
#2 of 36 - by dudleyr Apr 22, 2009 (6:21 am)
With the Prius priced at $21k Honda is going to have to hustle to move the Insight. Isn't competition great. Replies to this message: galileo5 (Apr 22, 2009 8:47 am) 107main (May 30, 2009 9:26 am) wvgasguy (May 30, 2009 5:06 pm)
#3 of 36 Re: - [dudleyr] by galileo5 Apr 22, 2009 (8:47 am)
Replying to: dudleyr (Apr 22, 2009 6:21 am) dudleyr, It's funny you mention that b/c one of the dealerships in my area wants to sell an Insight to me at invoice: That's $1100 off. I'm very strongly leaning to purchasing it in the next few days but a bit hesitant b/c my employer laid off a couple of people just yesterday with whom I used to work very closely. Daniel
#4 of 36 2010 prius by carchoice May 07, 2009 (7:10 pm)
Has there been any change that would address the complaints of sudden acceleration problems of earlier models? Replies to this message: kdhspyder (May 16, 2009 9:14 am)
#5 of 36 Re: 2010 prius [carchoice] by kdhspyder May 16, 2009 (9:14 am)
Replying to: carchoice (May 07, 2009 7:10 pm) As far as can be told the reports are isolated or spurious. No one can replicate the situation. It's only 'reported'. It seems not to be a real issue at all.
#6 of 36 Re: - [dudleyr] Think again by 107main May 30, 2009 (9:26 am)
Replying to: dudleyr (Apr 22, 2009 6:21 am) by dudleyr said: With the Prius priced at $21k Honda is going to have to hustle to move the Insight. Dudley, you might want to go back and compare prices! By the time you get a Prius with everything that a Honda has on it, you wont say what you said. I have driven and looked at both and Prius ends up $5k or so more than a comparable Honda Hybrid. Prius has about 6-7 levels/options and I doubt the lower stripped version would be what most people would buy. It is there so that Toyota can claim a low start price and bait and switch you into the upper level ones, that on a 2010 can cost around $35K! Ouch!!!!!! Also, Toyota tries to be a mass producer of cars and that had gotten them into trouble just like GM/Chrysler. They wanted to make the high dollar/high profit cars and it has bitten them all in the butt badly. Replies to this message: wvgasguy (May 30, 2009 5:06 pm)
#7 of 36 Re: - [dudleyr] Think again [107main] by wvgasguy May 30, 2009 (5:06 pm)
Replying to: 107main (May 30, 2009 9:26 am) Also, Toyota tries to be a mass producer of cars and that had gotten them into trouble just like GM/Chrysler. They wanted to make the high dollar/high profit cars and it has bitten them all in the butt badly. Tried to be??? They are the worlds largest automobile manufacturer. They are a long way from being in the shape of GM/Chrysler. These companies are/will be in bankrupcy. GM will end up being owned by the Union and Taxpayers. What are you smoking? This is the third thread you've said a loaded Prius is $35K. You don't have a clue as to what you are talking about.
#8 of 36 Insight vs. 2009 Prius- I went Prius by ellisda1 May 31, 2009 (4:49 pm)
I actually visited my local (Raleigh NC area )Honda dealer a couple of weeks ago to test drive an Insight. I wasn't really interested in a Prius and thought I'd see what I could get on an Insight. I drove it, both city and highway. I drive a 2004 Corolla S, 5 speed manual. Impressions about the Insight: It was only OK. It felt much smaller than my Corolla, it drove about the same (just as responsive), mileage would be a bit better than what I normally get. Inside, the interior just felt cheap and cramped - too much plastic, small storage areas, tight leg and shoulder room (and I'm a huge 5'8" and 140 lbs...) Road noise was substantial, and the ride was a bit stiff. I talked to the salesperson, and basically they were unwilling to give ANY discount on the Insight. MSRP for the EX was about $22K, and that's what they were expecting to get. They indicated a $4K trade allowance on my Corolla (2004, 88K miles). I wished them good day and left. A few days later, for kicks, I visited a dealer in Goldsboro NC. They had a 2009 Prius touring with package 5 (Nav system, upgraded suspension and tires, upgrade radio). I drove that - it was just as quick as the Insight, much quieter on the road, had Navi and upgraded sound, was larger inside, with nicer appointmants and nice feel. The only thing I wish the Prius had was height adjustment for the front seat. I was able to get that car for the same out of pocket expense - $18K (and my Corolla) - that the Insight would have cost me. Total OTD cost (including taxes, dealer charges, etc) was $23,700. Bottom line - with the right dealer and the right negotiations, a Prius at the cost of an Insight can be found (at least in the Raleigh area.).For me it was a slam dunk. The better gas mileage and smoother transmission makes the Prius an even better deal. I don't think there's enough improvements in the 2010 Prius that I'll ever regret the deal I got, and for an equal outlay of cash, the Insight didn't come close to the Prius. ...my personal opinion only.... Replies to this message: wvgasguy (Jun 01, 2009 3:52 am)
#9 of 36 Re: Insight vs. 2009 Prius- I went Prius [ellisda1] by wvgasguy Jun 01, 2009 (3:52 am)
Replying to: ellisda1 (May 31, 2009 4:49 pm) Well in all fairness, the deal they offered you at the Honda place might have been different at a different Honda dealership, but probably not. The few times I tried to deal with Honda on my daughters rides they were arrogant and did not deal on trade in value_they simply wanted to talk about how much better resale their cars have so you should expect to pay a premium). Adding a trade in on deal comparisons makes for a difficult discussion. I had a $4K difference in a trade value on my 4Runner from 2 different dealers on the almost identical car. The vehicle I got was on the Ford X Plan so the price I paid was not a factor in the deal. However it sounds like you did the right thing and I think you'll be a lot happier with the loaded Prius.
#10 of 36 Article Comments - 2010 Honda Insight vs. 2010 Toyota Prius by bwilson4web Jun 01, 2009 (1:38 pm)
I tried to test drive a Honda Insight but when I got in, I hit my head on the door jam. Once inside, my head was an inch or so from the roof. I had to peer through the steering wheel to see the instruments and I felt like I was in a coffin ... it was that close of a fit. We then folded down the rear seats and it looked like a homeless cardboard box. There was no need to test drive it. Bob Wilson