Road Tests: Long-Term Test

Video highlights of this vehicle

February was the last full month of our hybrid experience, and it was a quiet month for the Insight. Maybe our long-termer would have appreciated a going-away party, but instead, the assigned driver, Road Test Editor Erin Riches, kept leaving it in the office garage — sometimes dumping it for newer, more desirable test vehicles. And all too often, there was no one else to entertain the Insight while she was away.

However, on the days that Erin did find time to drive our long-term car, it proved immensely satisfying for both parties — well, Erin was satisfied anyway. As usual, the Insight was completely free of repair issues, so our editor didn't have to waste any time at dealerships. More importantly, Erin savored her freeway runs between home and work, as the car's quick steering, precise shift action and communicative, lightweight chassis took much of the burden out of her commute. Obviously, the Insight isn't a sports car, but it takes direction well and feels light on its low-rolling-resistance tires.

"This car is so much fun to steer," Erin wrote in the logbook, "I actually enjoy parking it and backing out of tight spots around my apartment complex." Our road test editor is also fond of the steering wheel's raised, perforated grips for the driver's hands.

Whenever she was in the Insight, Erin thought about fuel economy almost constantly, and this was alternately a source of frustration and gratification. "Together, my boyfriend (230 pounds) and I (170 pounds) exceed the car's 365-pound payload limit and when we put several day's worth of groceries, the extra weight seems to drag down fuel economy in the city. But I might just be trying to compensate for the high 40s I was getting during city driving. And of course, when I was hurrying on the freeway to my destination, I wasn't doing much to improve the mpg average.

"But later in the month, I made an earnest effort to keep my freeway speeds relatively constant, and I did improve the trip mileage to 56.6 mpg."

Although Erin has always liked the Insight's simple user-friendly design, she did think of a few possible upgrades for the car. "I would really like three auto-dimming mirrors on this car," she wrote in the logbook. "The rearview mirror's day/night function works OK, but the cabin is still flooded with light when a full-size truck pulls up right behind the Insight, projecting its headlights into all three mirrors." Our road test editor would also appreciate a small storage pocket on the driver door panel (or preferably, both door panels) to accommodate her small purse.

If you've followed our updates over the past 24 months, you know that our two-year lease through American Honda Finance is just about to expire. We decided to go ahead and buy-out the lease and then attempt to sell the Insight to a private party on our own. Next month, we'll publish a full Wrap-Up on our two years with an Insight, as well as provide details about the final sale. Now, we'd like to know what you think about this hybrid. Are you the current or previous owner of a 2000, 2001 or 2002 Insight? Tell us all the details about what it's like to own this special car. Please e-mail your comments to editor@edmunds.com by March 18, 2002, and be sure to include your full name, and your city and state of residence.

Current Odometer: 32,480
Best Fuel Economy: 56.6 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 45.5 mpg
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 52.5 mpg
Body Repair Costs: None
Maintenance Costs: None
Problems: None