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2001 InsightA common feature of these new hybrids is that they maximize fuel economy and minimize emissions by combining a small gasoline-fueled engine...
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A common feature of these new hybrids is that they maximize fuel economy and minimize emissions by combining a small gasoline-fueled engine with a powerful battery and an electric motor. Electric power is used to supplement the engines power, allowing the use of a smaller and more fuel-efficient engine. As well, the gasoline engine and electric motor/generator can recharge the battery, unlike in an electric car where the battery has to be plugged in to an external power source
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7 Reviews from Shopping.com
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The Car Pays for Itself!
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Pros: Fun to Drive, Great on gas
Cons: Blind Spots, Poor Radio
The Bottom Line:
Fun to Drive, Looks Great, Great Gas Mileage, Win Win Situation
If you do the math, comparing the mileage as opposed to most cars, or especially if it is a gas guzzler, you will see over a 4 year period how the car saves enough on gas to pay for itself.
This is our send Insight. Both have been a 2001, same color but the first one was a manual transmission and the one we have now is an automatic. The manual was great. We got about 65 mpg on average in the summer and 60 in the winter and that was with the bigger tires, which were put on for better stability in rainy weather.
The only reason we sold the manual and got the automatic is because I have back trouble and shifting for longer periods became difficult for me. We had cruise control put on the automatic and it is much better for me. I have had it up to 58 mpg in the winter but seems to average around 54 mpg. It also has the bigger tires on it which does affect the gas mileage. This summer I hope to have it up to 60 mpg. I knew it would get less than the manual but it was something I had to do.
My husband is 6'4" and plenty of room in it. We both love the car and now with gas the way it is, we are glad we still have one. I am disappointed they stopped making them so this one will have to last me.
They have plenty of power with the battery but learning to drive them so you achieve your best mileage is an art. You can't punch it. You need to watch your gages and learn when and how to tweak it. It makes you very aware of how much gas is used in certain situations. People go screaming by me in big vehicles that are sucking up so much gas, I guess they just do not care. If they start to ration gas, I think they will, although Insight drivers will not have to worry.
If you are a sportscar driver you will love the Insight. I am almost 60 and have had various cars over the years, but this my favorite by far. The air conditioning works great as well as the heater in winter. I have been able to load quite a bit in my Insight but that will cut down on the gas mileage as weight is a factor in how it performs, as well as adverse weather. There are a few sites that have owner feedback too for any questions or help you might be looking for.
My husband is a sailor so he liked watching the gages and tweaking it like you would sails in a sailboat so you could go as fast as possible. He is also an Engineer and I think he also just liked all the "details" of monitoring the gages, etc.
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