When cars are new and under warranty are one thing but old cars are another. For example front wheel drive cars are awesome when new but as they age the CV joints and timing belts can cause problem which is why some suggest a rear wheel drive as a simpler alternative in the used car market.

As our cars age some parts are going to wear out. In fact some Insights have got old enough that their packs have given up the ghost and need replacing. I've seen prices from $1200 (battery only) to $5800 (entire IMA system). Those prices are high compared to the cost of a new car and really, really high compared to the remaining worth of an old car.

Now I think the Toyota system is fantastic. I'd love to have a newer Prius but you couldn't pay me enough to drive a used HSD equipped car with failing "hybrid" parts. HSD requires that every single major part be working near perfectly. They just plain will not work unless both motors and the computer and the battery are in good condition. The "full" hybrid system is totally integrated into the the vehicle and the car will not work without it. If the battery fails you gotta get it replaced (correct me if I'm wrong about this).

IMA equipped Honda's on the other hand will work fine without the IMA battery (the part most likely to go bad). The car will lack that nice "hybrid" boost but the ICE will still work just fine and the car will still be worth something even without a battery replacement. With some slight modding the entire IMA system could go away and the car would still be drivable.

Old Hondas will make better cars than old Toyotas.