Is the new Honda Insight any good?
What's your opinion of the Honda Insight?
Ruth Quinn (Ennis)May 2010 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ruth,
Not a word of a lie: I picked one up this morning from Honda to test for the week. Paddy has driven it for longer so he'll give you his opinion too, but my first impressions are better than expected. Until recently, hybrids were designed first and foremost for the American market and they were quite different to drive to conventional cars. Most of that is still true, but both the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight are more normal than what has gone before and even more efficient.
The official fuel economy and emissions figures of the Insight are pretty impressive though, at 4.4 - 4.6 litres/100km and 101 - 105g/km of CO2 depending on which version you choose. The Toyota Prius boasts even better numbers, though it's a few grand more expensive.
So far I've averaged about 5.4 litres / 100km in mixed driving and I'd expect that to be pretty representative unless you're on a long motorway run, where the average might improve further.
I prefer the interior of the Insight to the Prius', even if Honda has used too much hard plastic for my liking. The Honda is more conventional, despite the presence of strange plant graphics in the dashboard to tell you how economically you are driving. You sit low down and there's loads of space for five adults and a fair amount of luggage.
The steering wheel on our test car is really shiny and a bit slippery, but I'm sure that'll change with use. Its controls for the stereo are nice and tactile though. Shame I can't say the same for the spindly gear lever, but there you go.
Overall it's easy to drive and while it's no performance car it keeps up with traffic easily enough. That aside, the Insight's engine is commendably quiet, unless you really put your foot down. However, I noticed that road noise is quite prominent in return.
I'd personally prefer a regular car to either the Prius or Insight hybrids. If fuel economy were the most important factor I'd opt for a good turbodiesel model. There is a lot of choice on the market for the €22,000 - €23,000 asking price of the Honda.
Where should I get my BMW serviced and fixed?
I have a 2002 BMW 3 Series worth about €4,500. I bought it a few months ago but things are already starting to go wrong with it. Should I take it to a BMW dealership for service and repair, which could cost a fortune or should I go to the cheapest mechanic I can find to get it looked at? I don't want the work costing more than the car is worth but at the same time I'd like to have a good service history for the car and repairs well done rather than a sticking plaster effort. What would you advise?
Brian O'Sullivan (Mayo)May 2010 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Having been the owner of a few old BMWs in my time I feel your pain. I know that going to a main dealer can give the best work without a doubt but it can also be horrifically expensive too. If you have paid a few grand for your car, you probably don't want to be faced will bills of €1000+ from a main dealer, which can happen if there is a major repair. What we would say that if its a service then there are some very good offers from main dealers at the moment on this and it might be worth checking with them first.
However if you want to try independent, we contacted the guys over at E30owners.com and they told us of their list of favoured independents and they are as follows:
Chelmsford Motors Ranelagh Dublin 2
Courtney BMW North Circular Road Dublin 3
Bavarian Autotech Abbeyfeal Limerick
We have also heard very good things about AC Car Sales on South Circular Road in Dublin
www.accarsales.ie/