Ecstatic new Volt owner

Discussion in 'Clarity' started by leehinde, Aug 6, 2018.

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  1. insightman

    insightman Well-Known Member Subscriber

    Another daffy Insightman TMI story:

    Way back in 1999 I drove my boy-racer Honda CRX Si to the Detroit auto show. On display at the show was the Honda VV Hybrid prototype, which became the original Insight for the 2000 model year. I thought this streamlined car looked pretty nice and I was impressed with its all-aluminum construction and novel drivetrain.

    Because I loved my two CRX Si speedsters, I'd been wishing Honda would make another 2-seat hatchback (the Del Sol didn't do it for me). I realized this hybrid prototype wasn't meant to replace the CRX Si, but instead the CRX HF (the most fuel-efficient Honda). Could I convert from a ticket-risking, high-speed driver to someone who gets enjoyment from a big number on an MPG read-out? Could I become a hypermiler?

    I came up with an experiment. Instead of driving home at 80-95 mph the way I'd arrived, I tried going 55 mph in the right-hand lane of I-94. It was incredibly painful, but I endured. The other cars on the road didn't appreciate my attempt to maximize my fuel economy. Many drivers would try tailgating me in an attempt to get me to speed up. Failing in that, they would angrily pass me, always shooting me a nasty look (and sometimes a hand gesture) as they went by. I soon learned other drivers will leave you alone if you stick yourself behind a semi truck. However, I also learned that if you follow a semi truck too closely, they'll purposely drift right onto the shoulder to kick up debris onto your car.

    I decided I could change. With the help of a gauge that analyzes my efficient driving behavior, I could learn to slow down. The next day I placed a $500 deposit on what would eventually be called the Honda Insight. While I waited a year for my Honda Insight, I worked hard to talk myself into a new driving mindset. My friends with Jaguars, Mustangs, etc. got tired of hearing me talk about going slow and saving $2 gas and they told me so. My wonderful wife, however, understands me--she had my birthday cake decorated with the image of an Insight.

    Then, just a month after Honda unveiled the production Insight in late 1999, the company loaded a single Insight (#221) into a small enclosed truck and drove it to Ann Arbor--the first one in the Midwest. My new motto became, "Nobody can out-slow me!" My friends correctly classified me as crazy. I convinced only one of them to come over to "the slow side," but he went with a Prius.

    Now our Clarity PHEV is causing me to alter my driving style yet again. After spending 19 years of carefully conserving gasoline, I'm driving a car that hasn't been to the gas station since we bought it in December. Wasting a little electricity to go a breathtaking 80 mph on the expressway doesn't bother me a bit (of course, those speeds in the big, smooth Clarity don't seem nearly as fast as they do in my tiny Insight). After years of carefully logging every gallon pumped, I'm ignoring the number of kWhs our Clarity is consuming. It's a new kind of car and a new kind of driving (OK, I admit I always drive in ECON Mode and take care never to press the accelerator past its detent).

    Whee-haw, look at me, I'm speeding again!
     
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2018
    leehinde, Pegsie, Jaketesla and 4 others like this.
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  3. Pushmi-Pullyu

    Pushmi-Pullyu Well-Known Member

    Sadly, I have to agree. It's very encouraging that Honda is spending money to advertise the Clarity PHEV, but their TV commercial doesn't exactly reach out and grab the viewer. Seems like it was done by someone trying very hard not to offend anyone, rather than WOW the viewer with how great a car it is!
    :(
     
  4. Pushmi-Pullyu

    Pushmi-Pullyu Well-Known Member

    I sympathize with the trucker. If you get too close behind him, you're in his blind spot. His side mirrors don't let him see around corners!

    I have ridden with a friend a few times in his circa 2000 Insight. He loves to draft behind semis. Nothing wrong with that in principle, and it certainly does increase his MPG. But IMHO he tailgates, following much too closely for safety. I always felt uncomfortable about that.

     
  5. insightman

    insightman Well-Known Member Subscriber

    Once you depend on your MPG read-out to get your jollies, the numbers you get from drafting semis become intoxicating (up to 150 mpg!). But it's not fair to these professional drivers, who don't need the hassle of some hot-shot hypermiler running into their trailer.

    When Car & Driver was testing the Insight in 2000, they got a Chevy Suburban, opened the rear doors, and had their test Insight follow it by scant inches on the expressway. I don't remember what gas mileage they achieved with this stunt, but I'm sure tailgating a semi works better--especially the low ones that carry furniture.

    Replacing my first Insight's windshield 18 years ago was all it took for me to be cured of tailgating semis (understanding and respecting the professional drivers came later). The technician who replaced that windshield said the job was incredibly difficult due to the large number of breakable clips (28) and long, delicate plastic bodywork pieces (2) that have to be removed and reinstalled. After having to order a second set of clips because he broke the first ones he ordered, he swore he would never change another Insight's windshield.

    The high cost of the Clarity's acoustic-glass windshield and the subsequent need to recalibrate the forward-facing camera should dissuade any semi tailgaters driving this car, but with the Clarity's EV capability, drivers don't need to get their jollies from far surpassing the EPA's gas mileage esitmates.
     
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2018
  6. Crota

    Crota Member

    I've gotten a lot of. "What is a Honda Clarity" as well. It is odd that such a great car hasn't been marketed yet. When talking with my friends though everyone just seems to be blown away by the value. With over $9,000 in rebates for me in Southern California, it really is a great deal. My friends with Tesla's are impressed just as well.
     
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  8. None of my friends know about Clarity when I said I was going to buy it except one friend and he said "oh.. the fuel cell"
    Another friend saw we have a new car from far away trying to figure out what that is said "ar... Claritan?"

    The easiest way for me to explain is it's an eletctric Accord that can also run as hybrid (don't bother to explain the "plug-in").

    And when asked the reason I didn't buy Prius, which everyone knows while not everyone knows Prime, is Accord vs Corolla at about the same price after rebates.
     
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2018
  9. JCEV

    JCEV Active Member

    I think the easiest way is to say it's half tesla half Prius
     
    KentuckyKen likes this.
  10. Pushmi-Pullyu

    Pushmi-Pullyu Well-Known Member

    LOL! :p I used to take that for my allergies. (Well... actually it's spelled "Claritin", but who's counting? ;))

     
  11. Carro con enchufe

    Carro con enchufe Active Member

    I tell people it’s the Honda version of the Volt, only better
     
    insightman likes this.
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  13. Numbernine

    Numbernine Member

    "Allergic to high gas prices? Try Honda Claritin." :D
     

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