55 mpg Honda Insight on Sale Now

  • Thread starter Thread starter Viking79
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies 32
  • Views Views 66K
Ben, that's a really good point, especially once the tax credit vanishes, either because of politics, a new anti-EV bill, or enough are sold.

Could take several years...
 
Ben Washburn said:
If they were to release a plug-in Insight, especially in hatchback, I'd consider trading in my Clarity. Speaking of which, something I've been wondering. If you were to trade-in a Clarity after a year, how would that work w/r/t the credits? I'm getting $9,200 between federal and state; my net net OTD price inclusive of everything was about $26k for a Touring. I don't know how'd they look at it, but if it were lightly used I wouldn't be surprised if they offered me as much as I actually paid for it.

I don't know, I've never traded in a car before, but with $9,200 of credits it seems like there's some arbitrage room there that you might be able to 'refresh' your car after a year for nothing, or nothing except repaying tax and title, etc.
Click to expand...
You don't have to worry about trading it in within a year for the federal tax credit. You'll have to check your state though. My state, TX, requires me to own the car for one year before I can trade it in or sell it. So check your state's rebate documents to see if there are any requirements.
 
Since the tax credit can only be taken once per VIN, as soon as the credit is taken, it would make sense for that VIN to depreciate in value by the credit amount. Whether the dealer trying to resell the vehicle is upfront with potential buyers about this is questionable.
 
Steven B said:
Since the tax credit can only be taken once per VIN, as soon as the credit is taken, it would make sense for that VIN to depreciate in value by the credit amount. Whether the dealer trying to resell the vehicle is upfront with potential buyers about this is questionable.
Click to expand...
You're right; just like a dividend. When I first posed the question having inhabited Teslaland too long I was under the impression that all credits phased out at the end of 2019. At that point a used vehicle, I'd think, would theoretically 're-appreciate' since the alternative to a one year-old Touring would truly cost more than $40k 'off the lot'.

But for the 4,948,759,847 time in my life I've since discovered I was wrong. For convenience we'll just round it up to the 5 billionth time my wife will have me up to by the end of this week.
 
Last edited:
GTO 409 said:
“Considering the offset of the rebates I would never consider the Insight.”

Important point, for sure. OTOH, one has to have an income situation in which one owes $7,500 in taxes to get the full federal credit! That might not apply — or, it can be a juggling act in looking at capital gains, ordinary income, etc. to make sure one's taxable income is just right —that's a headache and hassle.

Plus, if one goes Clarity, one has to get a plug in charging system set up — there's lots of money and time involved.and the hassle of getting someone qualified in and possible taxing an older electrical system!

And, one has to plug in regularly.

Hybrids are far less hassle!
Click to expand...
The clarity is a HYBRID.
More room than most hybrids.
You never have to plug it in.
Or take 6 seconds to plug it in every night and never have to go to the gas station if you drive less than 40 miles per day.
120v adapter plugs into any outlet or decent extension cord.
No additional wiring needed unless you have time to come home and recharge for 2 hours.
With the tax credit, my total cost would be $28,000 including taxes and 4 year registration.
It's not for you if you prefer a civic sized car.
 
:eek::eek:
PHEV Newbie said:
For many who do not have access to home chargers, the Insight might be the better choice. It is about the same size as a Civic (a wee bit larger even), which is not a small car. Road tests have already shown that it is much faster and better handling than the Prius, Ionic, and Niro. It is a larger car than those others and the mileage is as good or just a bit less. Because all trims include Honda Sensing, it is a better value than those as well. I think the styling is more sophisticated than the Accord and Civic so Honda has hit a home run. Too bad it won't sell as well as it deserves with people preferring poor handling, gas guzzling SUVs and trucks.
Click to expand...


I don't understand how anyone cannot have access to a "home charger."

CLARITY comes with a cable - on end goes in the car, and the other end into any regular 110v outlet. All you need is overnight time and you're fully juiced. How can this be an issue that pushes the buyer toward the Insight? :eek:
 
Dante said:
I don't understand how anyone cannot have access to a "home charger."
Click to expand...

People who live in condos and apartments do not have access to a plug. Especially in more urban neighborhoods.
They also have to worry about theft of the cable. People steal for the sake of stealing.
There are many homes in urban neighborhoods that do not even have a driveway.
I guess where you live, it would be unimaginable if the price if a home goes for more than $50/sq.ft.
 
Clarity 4 life said:
1. People who live in condos and apartments do not have access to a plug. Especially in more urban neighborhoods.


2. I guess where you live, it would be unimaginable if the price if a home goes for more than $50/sq.ft.
Click to expand...



1. Fair enough... good point, though he stated "HOME charger" - no semantics here anyway.

2. What's your guess again??
 
a touring Clarity would be a bit less after tax incentives than the same trim Insight and you get 48 mile EV range in a larger car.
 
The problem with Honda is the always make their plug-ins the ugly duckling;
The accord was very low range and hard to find
The clarity grabbed a bunch of their old tech that was already hated, made the weird choice of giving it a TINY fuel tank, had polarizing styling and then they didn’t keep it available or get the dealers to properly hold up the car.

Honda and Toyota don’t seem to want to produce or sell a true volume plug in vehicle.
All this will Tesla is producing longer and longer range vehicles although for much more money they were working to bring the price down.
 
I will be getting my Clarity soon but by looking at the legroom measurements of the Civic and Insight seem to have more legroom?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top