I posted awhile back that I'm trying to get a Fit but now that the Insight is coming out I'm unsure if the Fit would be best for me. The majority of travel for the car I'm going to buy will be in heavy traffic (LA Traffic). So would a hybrid be a better choice since I'd probably get double the mpg?

and I'd be torn between an insight and prius but probably get the insight since its only a few k more than the fit.

 

I would get the Honda Insight over the Fit with your driving condition or maybe a Civic Hybrid. Fit will not give you the mpg you wanted unless you hypermile and it will be hard to hypermile with heavy traffic.

 

With your traffic, the hybrid would work best.

Also, in L.A. don't you get to drive in the diamond lane (HOV lane) with a hybrid?

I was going to get the Insight first, but couldn't wait so I bought another Fit in December. I'm still toying with the idea though.

 

It's kind of funny but according to this video you would have to keep the civic hybrid 26 years to break even.

Hulu - Edmunds' Inside Line: 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid vs. 2009 Honda Fit Sport Comparison Test

 

That comparison is not valid.

If you compare the fully loaded Fit w/ the fully loaded INSiGHT, the cost difference is ~$4,000. So it would take only 13 years (at current gas prices) to break even with the fully loaded Fit.

The INSiGHT has over the Fit:

• Climate Control
• Heated side mirrors w/ turn signals
• Variable intermittent wipers
• Driver's seat height adjustment
• LED brakelights
• Projector headlamps
• Superior fuel economy

The Fit has over the INSiGHT:

• Fog lights
• More cargo space
• More headroom
• Better looks
• More fun to drive
• Better acceleration

I think I'll keep my Fit.

 

Who keeps a car for 13 years? I say get a Fit.

 

I haven't watched the video yet but do they take into consideration that I will be gridlocked in traffic for almost 2 hours a day? Or do they take the average MPG for each and go by that? By my calculations I'd save much more than a few mpg by sitting in traffic. What would the fit get in heavy traffic? 25mpg? The insight would get 40+ right? The video probably assumes average NON-los angeles driving.

 

I still have my '93 ranger 4x4 - still running strong.

But you bring up a good point.... I bought a Fit over a hybrid because I want to see if the hybrid technology stand up to long term reliability. I worry because of the basics with electronics and the tendency for them to go bad and not worth repairing, cost wise, over replacing. It's not like old school auto hardware anymore that can be tooled back into driving condition. I assume electric engine wear isn't anything like gas engines.

 

in traffic i think the hybrid is the way to go....

 

If you want a commuting appliance, buy a Prius. If you want the Honda of Hybrids get the Insight. If you want to enjoy your driving, whether commuting or not get the Fit.

 

I like the flexible space that the Fit offers. Of course, we are road-trippers now, not city drivers any more.

People around here love their Priuses (Prii?) though.

Cheers.