Addendum to Fiero Appreciation:
OK, I couldn’t resist the financial comparison.
According to NADA, a 2000 Insight goes for Low, Average, and High Retail values of $1650, $2600, and $3700 with an original MSRP of $18,800. In 2021 dollars that’s $28,558. Also, according to NADA, a 1984 Pontiac Fiero goes for Low, Average, and High Retail values of $1300, $3325, and $5775 with an original MSRP of $7679, or $19,333 in 2021 dollars.
Granted, the debut Insight has better performance -- close to a full second to 60 mph -- and far better mpg than the first Fiero, but the Honda also cost an extra $9225. At $2/gallon that’s 4,612.5 gallons of gas or 138,375 miles on the Fiero’s odometer before the Insight even pulls out of the driveway. At $3/gallon the numbers come to 3,075 gallons or 92,250 miles (Went with 30 mpg average). Feel free to pick a number somewhere between 92,250 and 138,375 miles to reflect your driving habits and the fluctuating price of petro.
This comparison just goes to show there is not a financial reason to purchase an Insight. Fieros had lower MSRPs and better examples are worth $2000 more than a comparable Insight. This isn’t even counting how much uncovered Insight’s reduce property values for you and your neighbors! The only reason to drive an Insight, like a Fiero, is because you want to.
