Hi, Just bought a 2019 Honda Insight EX (My 1st Hybrid)

2104 Views 8 Replies 4 Participants Last post by andrew28, Dec 14, 2019

andrew28

Discussion Starter · Dec 31, 2018

I picked it up on 12/28/18, I chose the White Orchid Pearl(Read somewhere that the Pearl color choices are triple coated paint) w/Black cloth. The 3rd generation Insight have everything I want in a modern car. It looks nice without weird angles/creases in the design (exterior and interior), backed by Honda reliability/resale value, LED lights standard front & back, top safety pick + rated car by iihs, gives me a little taste of what it feels like to have an electric car, and apple carplay. The fact sedans and hybrids are not selling as well with the low gas prices allowed me to get a really good price on the car. I paid around $23,850 out the door without negotiating, just comparing quotes, and some emailing. I currently have the husky weather floor mats and they are awesome(Bought them before I even got the car thanks to owners on this forum).

I have only seen other 2019 Honda Insights here in Boston maybe about 6 times during the past 6 months. So they're pretty rare but I might have seen more and thought it was an Accord. I still get confused seeing an Accord at night from the front thinking it is an Insight or vice versa. Only way I can tell for sure is by looking at the wheels or the rear light design. Anyways since the Insight is so rare, it does feel special driving this unique car, it also helps that the dealer gave me EV plates(Didn't think I was allow to have them but was told EV plates are mainly use to help first responders know that the vehicle contains a battery which the Insight technically does have).

I have been just gently driving the car near or even below the speed limit. I usually don't go by speed limit and more by speed of traffic. This car is slowly changing how I drive. I have noticed the car behind me likes to follow me instead of passing me(This just doesn't happen in Boston, drivers will honk at you if you drive near the speed limit). This has to be the most nicely designed car Honda ever made cause pedestrians just like looking at it. Especially when you slowly drive by them in EV mode with the weird chime sound being made by the car. I even had a Tesla Model 3 driver staring at my car. Maybe he might be wondering why I have EV plates...

Looking forward to being part of this community. Happy New Year everyone!

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hasarad

· #2 · Dec 31, 2018

andrew28 said:
I picked it up on 12/28/18, I chose the White Orchid Pearl(Read somewhere that the Pearl color choices are triple coated paint) w/Black cloth. The 3rd generation Insight have everything I want in a modern car. It looks nice without weird angles/creases in the design (exterior and interior), backed by Honda reliability/resale value, LED lights standard front & back, top safety pick + rated car by iihs, gives me a little taste of what it feels like to have an electric car, and apple carplay. The fact sedans and hybrids are not selling as well with the low gas prices allowed me to get a really good price on the car. I paid around $23,850 out the door without negotiating, just comparing quotes, and some emailing. I currently have the husky weather floor mats and they are awesome(Bought them before I even got the car thanks to owners on this forum).

I have only seen other 2019 Honda Insights here in Boston maybe about 6 times during the past 6 months. So they're pretty rare but I might have seen more and thought it was an Accord. I still get confused seeing an Accord at night from the front thinking it is an Insight or vice versa. Only way I can tell for sure is by looking at the wheels or the rear light design. Anyways since the Insight is so rare, it does feel special driving this unique car, it also helps that the dealer gave me EV plates(Didn't think I was allow to have them but was told EV plates are mainly use to help first responders know that the vehicle contains a battery which the Insight technically does have).

I have been just gently driving the car near or even below the speed limit. I usually don't go by speed limit and more by speed of traffic. This car is slowly changing how I drive. I have noticed the car behind me likes to follow me instead of passing me(This just doesn't happen in Boston, drivers will honk at you if you drive near the speed limit). This has to be the most nicely designed car Honda ever made cause pedestrians just like looking at it. Especially when you slowly drive by them in EV mode with the weird chime sound being made by the car. I even had a Tesla Model 3 driver staring at my car. Maybe he might be wondering why I have EV plates...

Looking forward to being part of this community. Happy New Year everyone!

Jersey guy here. What are EV plates?

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andrew28

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 31, 2018 (Edited)

hasarad said:
Jersey guy here. What are EV plates?

https://blog.mass.gov/transportation/rmv/rmv-electric-vehicle-plate/

Also, the EV plates are the only way to get a guaranteed low number plate outside of the annual lottery. (At least that is what the dealer told me, mine is between 100-150 with the letter "T" at the end.)

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Verdier

· #4 · Jan 1, 2019

I believe ev plates designate the vehicle as electric so rescue workers are aware there is high voltage in the car in case of an accident.

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hasarad

· #5 · Jan 1, 2019

Wow. Didn't know there was a special designated plate (not in NJ though). It makes sense due to the 144V battery. I've read service manuals and firefighter instructions relating to the Insight. If you review under the hood and the battery compartment, there are several "cut here" labels to assist first responders.

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pasei

· #6 · Dec 13, 2019

andrew28 said:
I think I'm the only white Insight with EV plates so it shouldn't be hard to spot me. :smile_big:

Wait... what?? How come I wasn't offered EV plates?!

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andrew28

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 13, 2019

pasei said:
Wait... what?? How come I wasn't offered EV plates?!

The guy that was assisting me asked if I had any preference on what numbers I want on my new license plate. I told him I didn't want a certain set of numbers. He came back later and told me they don't have a regular plate available that fits my criteria. Then he offered me the EV plate with low numbers(3 digits and 1 letter). I didn't know a hybrid can take an EV plate but he told me it's legal since my car does have a battery. I always wanted a low number plate(didn't have much luck through the annual low number plate lottery) and it will mean I can transfer it to my future EV.

The Electric Vehicle Plates will be available for any passenger or commercial vehicle that is either electric-powered or a hybrid vehicle.
“Public safety officials are studying how to immobilize and power down electric and hybrid vehicles, how to approach an EV fire and also learning new extrication procedures,” said MassDOT Secretary Davey. “They must be able to recognize the vehicle as an EV vehicle. The availability of this plate helps assure quick identification.” https://blog.mass.gov/transportation/rmv/rmv-electric-vehicle-plate/

After I got home I made sure what he told me was real so I wasn't driving around with an illegal plate.

People do give me this wtf look when I fill up at a gas station(especially at Costco). :grin:
Pics of the EV plates on my Insight.

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pasei

· #8 · Dec 13, 2019

andrew28 said:
The guy that was assisting me asked if I had any preference on what numbers I want on my new license plate. I told him I didn't want a certain set of numbers. He came back later and told me they don't have a regular plate available that fits my criteria. Then he offered me the EV plate with low numbers(3 digits and 1 letter). I didn't know a hybrid can take an EV plate but he told me it's legal since my car does have a battery. I always wanted a low number plate(didn't have much luck through the annual low number plate lottery) and it will mean I can transfer it to my future EV.
After I got home I made sure what he told me was real so I wasn't driving around with an illegal plate.

People do give me this wtf look when I fill up at a gas station(especially at Costco). :grin:
Pics of the EV plates on my Insight.

Hahaha... I mean it's spelled out electric vehicle and there is a photo of a plug so that's that. But it does look cool!

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andrew28

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 14, 2019

pasei said:
Hahaha... I mean it's spelled out electric vehicle and there is a photo of a plug so that's that. But it does look cool!

You can probably still request one at the RMV. It's nice for the novelty and can help first responders safely approach the car differently in an accident.

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