I've recently been thinking a lot about picking up a hybrid. More specifically a honda insight (the 1st generations that do 60mpg+). I'm a student and the cost of mini maintenance and minor fixes seems expensive to me. From tires, to brakes, to the radiator and fan (damn traffic cone, not my fault but with a 1000 deductible I have to buy the stuff myself).

I know all cars have these maint. Requirements but the cooper seems a lot higher than the honda in my research (except for the battery, but fuel savings in a year and a half pay for the battery which has to be changed every 4-8 years).

I'm just on here looking for reasons to keep my car, love the ride but not the cost

 

i think you should get rid of the mini. i don't know how you drive nor why you have so many problems, but that's not my mini experience. 2003 just a cooper. i also have had hondas since 1983 and been very satisfied. no hybrid experience.

 

keep the MINI, a honda insight wont be nearly as much fun to drive! I guess tho to each their own.

 

exactly its gunna be driving now for you, not motoring of course we say keep the mini, maybe a new one ?? from my knowledge hybrids are expensive ... stay!

 

I got my mini because I was bored out of my mind driving a 2010 sentra...keep the Mini!

 

Another thing to consider is, How much extra will the process of selling the MINI and buying the Honda cost? Sure the Honda may get better gas mileage but will the amount you save in gas be more than the amount you lose by selling the MINI?

 

if you suffer from insomnia get the honda. better yet, a tan camry.

 

Just remember this, hybrids don't deserve to drive in the left lane.

The gas mileage might be cool, but have you looked at the car???

 

If you're talking about the 1st generation Honda Insight, I believe getting one that old will bring you a heck of a lot more maintenance problems in the long run. And the newer one has great mileage (40mpg or so), but that's not that huge an advantage over the MINI.

Tires and brakes will go on any car (though Insight tires will be relatively inexpensive next to MINI tires, and a Honda brake job will be cheaper than a MINI one, for sure). However, hitting a traffic cone and wrecking your radiator will cost you over $1000 no matter what you drive.

Generally speaking, the maintenance on a Honda is cheaper for sure, but not if you go for the 1st gen. The last year of those was '06, so you're talking about getting into a 5 year old (minimum) car. A $3000 battery job will probably be the first thing you have to do with it.

My guess is the best financial bet is actually to keep the MINI for a few years and find a non-dealer MINI guy to work on your car for you.

 

My friend here at work has a first-gen Insight.

Its got great fuel economy (56mpg), but you have to remember its a first-gen hybrid. Completely different animal than the newer hybrids. Its very low powered, so you have to drive it in a different way. Have to maintain momentum anywhere you can, because speeding back up after a stop takes everything its got. When I say low powered, I mean my Jeep Wrangler would pull away from him like a rocket ship.

It looks like a big car, but its just two seats. Very stripped down inside. Completely aluminum construction to keep the weight down, etc. Very purpose-built machine compared to the hybrids today that are just like any other car.

 

Lose the MINI and get the practical car. When you're out of school and have the money and time to start motoring again, then you can get back into a Cooper. I've owned Honda's for years (Civic's, Accord's, Cr-V's). They are great vehicles.

 

Wow thanks for all the input I'm still on the fence with this, I'm talking about the first gen insights, lookin at the 2004-2006 with battery warranties. the radiator fix is actually about 1/3 the cost of the coop. I'll be test driving the insight today. I know it'll be a huge difference, we'll see if the handling and speed are an issue (they very well might be. Lol)

The price is actually around 7k, my mini still bluebooks for 11500-12500.

I really do appreciate all the comments, trying to get all sides of the argument before I make my decision, thanks

 

+1, anything that's going to block faster traffic at all should stay out of the passing lane/carpool! That goes for any car, not just hybrids.

 

The cheapest car to drive is the one you own the longest.

Also, think of the environment! Those huge batteries are a menace. Here's a snippet from http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~coreyp/hybridenvimp.html:

Vehicle Production Pollution:
The production process for the hybrid vehicle is very different than the production process of a gasoline vehicle. There are similarities especially in regards to the production of the gasoline powered engine. Thus the production of the gasoline powered engine in the hybrid is similar to that of a gasoline powered vehicle however the addition of the electric engine increases the environmental impact of the production of the hybrid vehicle. The greatest environmental impact comes from the pollution caused by the elaborate battery system that powers the electric engine. The battery pollution is substantial because the creation of the batteries requires destructive mining to produce the batteries and the caustic substances that power the batteries must later be disposed of. The caustic substances that power the batteries are very poisonous and when released into the environment leech into the waterways and poison groundwater

Also, a hybrid will be boring as hell to drive and you will miss your MINI every time you need to get up to speed on an on-ramp.

 

Residuals...

MINI - One of the best around

Honda Insight - OMG! Worst Honda depreciation there is.

And BTW - Every Motoring Journalist has said that the Insight sucks.

 

crz ftw!

 

Will take that into account. NiMH batteries are in everything now but i guess you can say that doesn't make owning any of these products any better.

2006 mini vs 2006 insight resale
mini msrp 17k-22k
kbb value today 9500-11500
insight msrp 19k-21k
kbb value today 9500-11500
maybe the worst for honda but on par with mini? lol the new 2010-2011 insight are terrible though, i will agree there. I'll look into those motoring journals. collecting my facts for all sides this argument im having with myself. really do appreciate the input guys

Aren't the ratings less than the 40mpg I can achieve with conservative drivings on my coop? lol It's just slightly out of my budget by about 6-8k also :p

 

If I were in this position, I'd buy a new Mazda 2. Cheap and good on gas. Supposedly it handles well, faster than a Fiesta and has nice sporty seats, ect.

If you had to finance, I'm sure the payments would be tiny and you'd have a reliable new car.

 

how about a honda fit? If you need cheap, practical, and great mpg, nothing beats the Fit, IMO.

36 to 38 mpg with city driving. Drove one cross country, 3000 miles, through all different kinds of roads including mountains with very long climbs at high altitudes and averaged almost 40mpg.

As for practicality, the cargo space that car has is unreal. Fold down the back seats and you can almost cram an entire walmart in there!

 

Does the Insight come with reindeer and a jolly old elf?

 

Funny I saw your post. I've been ranting to friend for months and months that 9/10 Prius drivers refuse to move over or speed up when traffic is behind them. Even in bumper to bumper rush hour, they will keep their 10 car lengths of space in front of them and won't move over.

I have this theory that traffic jams will get longer and longer the more people buy hybrids!

 

so your one of thoseeeeeeee... Packing it in tight



[quote=nykwan;3287330]Even in bumper to bumper rush hour, they will keep their 10 car lengths of space in front of them and won't move over.
quote]

 

Yea I don't know what it is, but Prius driver's agitate me more than anyone. Like you said...they insist on being in the left lane, driving slow as can be, obliviously to cars around them, as they save the worlds environmental issues.

Gives me such satisfaction to cut them off

 

I love cutting off hybrid/cargo van/mini van/brake happy people in the left lane! Few things provide as much satisfaction, especially when they shake their self righteous heads in displeasure.

 

No.