Hi Scotty,
With the recent explosion in gas prices I'm seriously considering a hybrid. From what I have been able to discover the 1st Gen Insight is a marvelous piece of creative engineering. 5 Speed manual, 1L 3 cylinder with lean burn capability, LRR tires and slippery shape, it makes a lot of headway into the ultra efficient vehicle arena. 60mpg city, 70+mpg hi way.
I am looking specifically at a 2005 DX model with minimal information of its history. In your experience, what have you found to the most critical areas for evaluating a good car for purchase? Thanks for any and all advice you can pass my way.
xpatico
Hi,
I get the appeal of such a car
But it's important to state that the car you're looking at has a Nickel–metal hydride battery like old Priuses used to have, these typically last 10-12 years at best - I do not think replacing the 120 cells inside of the insights battery is going to be possible.
Furthermore, Honda's old hybrid technology was not very successful and there aren't any modern Hondas that use "Integrated Motor Assist", I doubt anyone knows how to fix malefactions in the hybrid system on these. from what I hear their modern hybrids use technology that's much closer to older versions of Toyotas' Synergy drive.
For those two reasons, I'd avoid this car.
Basically that tiny 3 door odd looking thing gets about the same gas-millage as a modern high ground clearance 150 horsepower wide and commutable hybrid SUV (the Niro)
With the old Insight, 60-70 mpg is possible only if you're "hyper-milling" if you're driving it like a regular car you'll get about 50 mpg.
But speaking of hyper-milling, my experience trying to get the best economy on the highway with a Kia Niro, I'm able to constantly get 75+ MPG (3.2L/100KM sometimes as low as 3.0). But driving with the AC on full blast with the SCC in the most aggressive mode (lane keeping and adaptive cruise) and sitting in traffic jams for long periods of time, the MPG can be as low as 47-52 (4.5L/100KM - 5L/100KM)
And even with that, it's economical if you live outside the US where gas is VERY expensive all the time and where you get benefits for having a HEV/EV. In the US, I wouldn't bother with hybrids that are, from my experience, mostly, poorly accelerating, overly complex and awfully expensive econoboxes.
A 17 year old hybrid of any make is going to quickly drain your wallet. The mileage ratings are fantasy.
Just imagine if something goes wrong with the hybrid system, how much does it cost for you?
I think those insights are pretty cool subcompact cars. Not sure about a 15+ year old one. My biggest concern would be battery replacement after all this time.
The engine itself should be as resilient as most Honda engine, as a variation has been used in Honda Kei cars for at least a decade or more prior to release for the insight.
