Greg and Bex: Honda Insight seating comfort?

[Jesda]

I'm keeping my eyes peeled for an Insight with a dead IMA battery (so I can buy it cheap, drive it home, and install a warranty-covered unit).

Let's say I have to drive one 1000 miles home. How comfortable are the seats over long distances? Is it possible to swap in some fancy leather captain's chairs out of a Prelude or Acura CL? I could check the InsightCentral forum but all those guys talk about are cryptic acronyms. They're really vague when it comes to answering questions.




[I find it odd that I'm down to either a vintage Mustang or a hybrid Honda.]

[ADDirishboy]

They seemed pretty comfy when I was just riding in it. Was only a 15 minute ride, but no complaints.

[Jesda]

Remember that guy StatixNWH? He'd change cars every week and post "WHAT SHOULD I BUY?" threads.

I hope I'm not turning into that.

To my credit, I've owned my Saab for more than 20,000 miles and two years (and $11,500 in body, mechanical, and electrical restoration costs), and in the one year I owned my Cadillac I put 40,000 miles on it traveling around the country.

I've gained some discipline.

[ADDirishboy]

I don't know man, it seems like every time I'm on here you have another car haha. Granted, if I could keep buying random cars I guess I would.

[nissangirl74]

I like mine a lot. Never had a comfort issue. However, I've never driven it for more than 50 miles at a time though. I'll let Greg be the voice of wisdom on this one. He and Jason drove one to Vegas for SEMA last year.

[AZhitman]

Seats are firm, but actually pretty comfy for a long drive. I did 6 hours with no issues.

Seats that are overly padded tend to cut off circulation... the other cool thing is that they breathe real well.

I wouldn't worry about swapping anything different into one - Most of the guys on that forum actually switch back to the stockers (and good OEM seats are in VERY high demand). The PO of my car had swapped in some faux Recaros, and I had to order a replacement set from a dismantler in MA.

[Jesda]

Yeah I like the material on the stock seats. They remind me of quality athletic gear.

I guess the only negative is not being able to pull over and lean the seat all the way back for a nap, which I hardly do anymore anyway.

I just missed out on a red one up in New England for $2500. IMA battery light was on but still working.

[Mr1der]

Honda's always made pretty good seats.

My Si's are a bit firm for a long ride but still do ok. I do get a little fatigue but a lot of that's in the shoulders from the bolsters being built for someone not 6'4" and broader than Nala's mom's a**.

[Bubba1]

I like mine a lot. Never had a comfort issue. However, I've never driven it for more than 50 miles at a time though. I'll let Greg be the voice of wisdom on this one. He and Jason drove one to Vegas for SEMA last year.

Jesda, a bigger question might be how are the roads in your area? Greg/Bex live in AZ where the roads are generally better/smoother, which would make a car seem to ride better than if it were in a state with worse roads (like Pennsylania).

[Jesda]

The roads are awful in St Louis City but nice out here in the county. MODOT has more money than God, so the highways here are usually well maintained. The Illinois side, on the other hand, is like a third world country. Fortunately, I don't go to IL very often.

I wonder how badly the narrow rear track would make the car squirm around at 70mph.

[Bubba1]

The roads are awful in St Louis City but nice out here in the county. MODOT has more money than God, so the highways here are usually well maintained. The Illinois side, on the other hand, is like a third world country. Fortunately, I don't go to IL very often.

I wonder how badly the narrow rear track would make the car squirm around at 70mph.

I imagine it would be a little better than an original VW Beetle, which did instantaneous lane changes whenever passed by a truck. The 1st gen. Insight I drove long ago had a nervous ride, though I was on was a typical Pennsylvania road, plus it had those awful low rolling resistance tires.

[Jesda]

The roads are awful in St Louis City but nice out here in the county. MODOT has more money than God, so the highways here are usually well maintained. The Illinois side, on the other hand, is like a third world country. Fortunately, I don't go to IL very often.

I wonder how badly the narrow rear track would make the car squirm around at 70mph.

I imagine it would be a little better than an original VW Beetle, which did instantaneous lane changes whenever passed by a truck. The 1st gen. Insight I drove long ago had a nervous ride, though I was on was a typical Pennsylvania road, plus it had those awful low rolling resistance tires.

The alternative to that is a Civic HX/VX hatchback from the early 90s. Good for 50 mpg on the highway. (I personally got 49mpg out of a VX). They're rock solid at 70mph but nowhere near as safe as an Insight.

[Bubba1]

An old civic is always a good choice, but Toyota also makes some similarly hi-mileage vehicles (to the Civic, that is), besides the unloved Prius, and non-hybrid. The Scion XA, for example, is rated between 45-50 mpg, and is more fun to drive. The new VW Golf/jetta TDI's also carry impressive mileage numbers. Unfortunately they're not yet in your price range. But an older Rabbit diesel is, if you can find one.

[Jesda]

Charlieo has a motorcycle for sale...

[nissangirl74]

I wonder how badly the narrow rear track would make the car squirm around at 70mph.

I don't have any issues driving it at interstate speeds but like Joel said, we have perfect roads. I also have good tires, which make a tremendous difference.

[AZhitman]

I've been on some pretty rutted pavement with it. Tramlining is virtually nonexistent, because that happens more frequently with wider tires.

Honestly, aside from the sound deadening issues, there's really not enough of a difference in ride quality for me to justify giving up the extra $300-$500/mo in fuel.

If I want to ride around in more comfort on occasion, I'll hop in the truck or the old wagon.... and even then, instead of enjoying the ride, I'm watching the fuel gauge pissing away hard-earned money.