[Marvin Martinez]

Hi Everyone! Almost 2 weeks ago, I purchased my very first brand new car! I got the 2019 Honda Insight, Touring Trim, in Aegean Blue! I've already customized it to make it feel like my own (changed interior lights to LED lights, added all-weather floor mats, got a nerdy license plate frame). I absolutely love the car, and I'm averaging about 48 MPG so far (driven 800 miles). My old car, the 2005 Toyota Corolla lasted me 14 years. Repairs were getting to be too expensive. The reason I chose the 2019 Honda Insight, was because it's a hybrid that looks like a regular sedan, it has Android Auto, did tons of research and loved most of the bells and whistles that come with it, and it doesn't break the bank! I'm contemplating tinting the windows (like I did with my Corolla), but I'm still undecided.

Pictures 1 - 3: The new car!
Picture 4: My retired car.

 

[andrew28]

A lot has changed since 2005, I'm pretty sure you're amazed at the tech, and safety features of your new car. Loving the Aegean Blue, still on the look out for one here in Boston. Congrats on your first new car and see you around the forums.

 

[hasarad]

Congratulations! Join Fuelly.com so we can follow along!

Just remember, you don't have a spare tire be default. You can always pick up a late model Civic spare kit.

 

[Aware]

Welcome to the forum Marvin and congrats on your new first new car! Sounds like you were way past due for an upgrade and you've chosen an excellent replacement for the Corolla. Looks like you did a great job maintaining it, especially for its age.

 

[PHILBERT]

Hi Marvin, and congrats on a solid choice for an outstanding car. Nice color!

I love everything about my EX. Other than add factory fog lights, I don't find there is much I want to change. I purchased factory window visors, and I'm not sure I want to put them on. Maybe I would have if the visor kit would have included the little third window in the back, but it didn't. I just love the car as it is now. And I had bad experiences with tint in the past. Bubbles, and hard to clean. Turned purple and ugly. Not for me. LED interior lights are nice, so I'll eventually get around to changing them out. And a spare tire and a trunk carpet would be a good idea.

Sounds like you have done your research and already started modding things. Such a cool car for a hybrid, and no wimp! I love Sport Mode. This car has power and handles great at high speeds. I also love blowing all those "meh" Prius' away! Loooooosers! Haha!

Phil

 

[ScubaGuy]

I'm right there with you; I just got my 2019 Insight on 16th-March! Just traded-in my '08 Accord Gen-8th (127K mi) for finally a Honda Insight Hybrid Touring with serious MPG! After test driving the Accord Hybrid and others, I just couldn't get past all the goodness Honda got right with the 3rd Gen Insight! This car has everything I've always wanted in my Accord ('08 Coupe). The one thing I want to do is replace the interior with bright LED lights instead. I found it odd that Honda put LED on the front for DTRLs, Low/High Beams, and Flood, but ugly (Part# 34351-657-921) Stanley Bulbs (12V/5W) for interior?

The NEXT thing I did is look at Updating the Garmin MAP which is 2017 version, however, I got all the way to prepping the 16GB USB stick and ready to go by Garmin software but the update fails to start. So, this might be a Dealer Work Order I might have them do. The download on the Garmin update was 10GB in files.

>>Marvin stated:>changed interior lights to LED lights, added all-weather floor mats

Would you mind sharing the 4x LED lights and dome light package and where you bought them? eBay? I've been eyeing some custom floor mats but haven't made a decision.

There are TWO places I shop for OEM Parts:
https://www.hondapartsnow.com
https://www.hondapartswholesaledirect.com

 

[insightfully]

the one thing i want to do is replace the interior with bright led lights instead. [...] >>marvin stated:>changed interior lights to led lights, added all-weather floor mats
would you mind sharing the 4x led lights and dome light package and where you bought them? Ebay? I've been eyeing some custom floor mats but haven't made a decision.

These prior threads might be helpful resources, while you wait on response from Marvin Martinez:
- Interior LED Bulb Upgrade
- LED Interior Lights

the next thing i did is look at updating the garmin map which is 2017 version, however, i got all the way to prepping the 16gb usb stick and ready to go by garmin software but the update fails to start. So, this might be a dealer work order i might have them do. The download on the garmin update was 10gb in files.

Seems like all 2019 Insight Touring models are starting out with the 2017 version. Hadn't heard of the "fail to start" error yet, so I'm interested in whether dealer is the only one who can resolve. Is Garmin identifying your car as an Accord, as in this prior thread?

 

[ScubaGuy]

These prior threads might be helpful resources...

Seems like all 2019 Insight Touring models are starting out with the 2017 version. Hadn't heard of the "fail to start" error yet, so I'm interested in whether dealer is the only one who can resolve. Is Garmin identifying your car as an Accord, as in this prior thread?

THANKS! Very helpful. I believe I missed a step with install/setup with Garmin.

 

[insightfully]

THANKS! Very helpful. I believe I missed a step with install/setup with Garmin.

Sure thing! If you haven't tried it yet, [url="https://www.gen3insight.com/forum/5626-post13.html]try "Advanced Search"[/url] (not the Google Custom Search) to find prior threads with similar topics of interest.

Also, while the 2019 Insight FEELS like a super advanced car, it's only on 3rd Gen... so you may want to update your signature description to match.

 

[hasarad]

There are TWO places I shop for OEM Parts:
https://www.hondapartsnow.com
https://www.hondapartswholesaledirect.com

College Hills Honda is a great place for OEM add-ons - https://www.collegehillshonda.com/category/insight-accessories.html

 

[INSIGHT_OUTTASIGHT]

Hi Everyone! Almost 2 weeks ago, I purchased my very first brand new car! I got the 2019 Honda Insight, Touring Trim, in Aegean Blue! I've already customized it to make it feel like my own (changed interior lights to LED lights, added all-weather floor mats, got a nerdy license plate frame). I absolutely love the car, and I'm averaging about 48 MPG so far (driven 800 miles). My old car, the 2005 Toyota Corolla lasted me 14 years. Repairs were getting to be too expensive. The reason I chose the 2019 Honda Insight, was because it's a hybrid that looks like a regular sedan, it has Android Auto, did tons of research and loved most of the bells and whistles that come with it, and it doesn't break the bank! I'm contemplating tinting the windows (like I did with my Corolla), but I'm still undecided.

Pictures 1 - 3: The new car!
Picture 4: My retired car.

Get ceramic window tint. It blocks substantially more heat than regular window tint, and since I've had it on mine (got tint 2 weeks ago, got my Insight in July 2018) I notice the A/C runs nowhere near as hard as it did without tint, and since the A/C in this car is electric powered, rather than engine/belt powered, you'll save a lot of electricity. A/C at full blast will deplete the hybrid battery in approx 2 mins, vs light usage which can take close to 8-10 mins.

On a side note, with A/C off completely, and babying the throttle, I avged 81mpg over 20 miles.

 

[ScubaGuy]

College Hills Honda is a great place for OEM add-ons - https://www.collegehillshonda.com/category/insight-accessories.html

I love College Hills Honda too! Bought many things from them over the years, and they are the only ones who put up helpful install PDFs and YouTube Videos for the DYIers. I finally got my 2019.11 Garmin updated. It's not clear from instructions, but after the giant download of 10GB, you have to click INSTALL on Garmin as it has to activate and do some other Map Downloads so that's a 2-part Download Step. Did not come across the mistaken-identify-of-Accord for the Map Update. Took about 15 min to install on the car.

 

[insightfully]

Get ceramic window tint. It blocks substantially more heat than regular window tint, and since I've had it on mine (got tint 2 weeks ago, got my Insight in July 2018) I notice the A/C runs nowhere near as hard as it did without tint, and since the A/C in this car is electric powered, rather than engine/belt powered, you'll save a lot of electricity. A/C at full blast will deplete the hybrid battery in approx 2 mins, vs light usage which can take close to 8-10 mins.

On a side note, with A/C off completely, and babying the throttle, I avged 81mpg over 20 miles.

Assuming you must live in the sunny southwest, given your year-round experience with A/C! To manage A/C use, do you also use Econ mode, OR is that no longer needed since the ceramic tint cut down on temp/usage?