Hi Dan:

___Very well written post …

___A few items to add for comments directed your way. First off, the 04 Prius is a hell of an automobile that has amenities the Insight has never and will never have. Not only have your co-workers discovered that the Insight is a 2 seater, it isn’t even made anymore. There won’t be any more Insight’s made for the 2004 MY anyway. It was built for just one purpose in mind and as you know, it was to excel at fuel economy. There is no way an Insight could be built for < $30,000 - $50,000 given a mostly aluminum construction and low volume production line. The 01-03 Prius and the Honda VX aren’t made anymore either. The mileage numbers posted from the Insighter’s shown are from some of the best mileage drivers in the world. No one drives like an Insight driver pushing the fuel economy envelope that I know of. A few exceptions abound I am sure but not like a high mileage Insighter? I just don’t see them in my 750,000 miles of travel around the Chicagoland in my lifetime. Lastly, 45 mpg for the Prius is a heck of an average considering its size and amenities. If someone complains about that, they only need to look at there own real world averages.

___As for the 01-03 Prius’ and one of the VX’s great mileage, look who was driving at least one of each of them. Again, you are looking at one of the best mileage drivers in the world with years of experience at pushing that envelope. The VX was a specialty high mileage type Honda from way back. Many of its fuel saving economies technologies are still in use in the Insight, Prius, and HCH.

___Lastly, it won’t be long and your own real world average will be up in the 52 - 55 lmpg range by all appearances. Not many can say that either

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net