Article Comments - 2010 Honda Insight vs. 2010 Toyota Prius

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

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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)

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#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
#11 of 36 Consumer Reports by petl Jun 02, 2009 (1:50 pm)
According to CR the Insight's gas mileage is impressive. However, that's about it. They didn't seem to be too impressed with the cabin, cramped back seat and the ride, which they found to be stiff, choppy with pronounced road noise (not as agile as the Fit). Also, passengers can bang their head when getting in, as observed by Bob Wilson. Bottom line, it sacrifices some comfort and refinement (to achieve good gas mileage).The information is on page 8 (not 48, as stated on the front page). CR made a mistake? Replies to this message: wvgasguy (Jun 02, 2009 2:59 pm) kirstie_h (Jun 03, 2009 6:20 am) wvgasguy (Jun 03, 2009 7:41 am) imscf (Jun 04, 2009 1:15 am) petl (Jun 04, 2009 3:04 pm) dmathews3 (Jun 04, 2009 5:48 pm) and 5 more...
#12 of 36 Re: Consumer Reports [petl] by wvgasguy Jun 02, 2009 (2:59 pm)
Replying to: petl (Jun 02, 2009 1:50 pm) Bottom line, it sacrifices some comfort and refinement (to achieve good gas mileage). Actually in making the comparison to the 2010 Prius, since it does not match the Prius in FE, the scarifices in comfort and refinement are to achieve the low price. Since not everyone wants to sacrifice those things the Insight has placed itself in a smaller nitch of the market. (read that as those who simply want a cheaper hybrid) Replies to this message: kirstie_h (Jun 03, 2009 6:20 am) wvgasguy (Jun 03, 2009 7:41 am)
#13 of 36 Re: Consumer Reports [wvgasguy] by kirstie_h HOST Jun 03, 2009 (6:20 am)
Replying to: wvgasguy (Jun 02, 2009 2:59 pm) True, but it looks like some people have reported finding similar good deals on the Prius, making it close in price or only marginally more expensive than the Insight. If the Insight can't compete on a significantly lower price point, I don't see it making much of a dent in the market (based on comments about comfort level). Replies to this message: wvgasguy (Jun 03, 2009 7:41 am)
#14 of 36 Re: Consumer Reports [kirstie_h] by wvgasguy Jun 03, 2009 (7:41 am)
Replying to: kirstie_h (Jun 03, 2009 6:20 am) I'm guessing if the 2010 Prius level 2 was widely available already that the Insight would lose some sales.
#15 of 36 Re: Consumer Reports [petl] by imscf Jun 04, 2009 (1:15 am)
Replying to: petl (Jun 02, 2009 1:50 pm) To be fair, the July 2009 issue of Consumer Reports that petl refers to is NOT a full report on the Insight, but just a "first look." So let's just wait for the full report which should be in the August or September issue. Replies to this message: petl (Jun 04, 2009 3:04 pm) dmathews3 (Jun 04, 2009 5:48 pm) wvgasguy (Jun 05, 2009 4:03 am) petl (Jun 05, 2009 4:33 am) and 3 more...
#16 of 36 Re: Consumer Reports [imscf] by petl Jun 04, 2009 (3:04 pm)
Replying to: imscf (Jun 04, 2009 1:15 am) I agree. However, the first look "impression" is not that positive. The full report will likely elaborate on the "first look". We'll see. Replies to this message: dmathews3 (Jun 04, 2009 5:48 pm) wvgasguy (Jun 05, 2009 4:03 am) petl (Jun 05, 2009 4:33 am) dmathews3 (Jun 05, 2009 5:05 am) and 2 more...