2003 silver insight for sale (florida)

[34stude]

well, I have owned my 2003 silver insight for about 4 months and love to drive it. however,
in the last 1000 miles or so, the IMA light came on forcing me to re-consider that I really
want this car....too much technology. Then just recently the 12v battery lite came on. O.K.
I want back to my conventional Metro convertible for my "florida" car. Some important details:

2003, silver, 84776 miles,59.2 avg mpg lifetime. have carfax, first owner 60,000 miles at
at Honda every 3000 miles for service, sold to 2nd owner, 17000 miles in several months and
runs into something. third owner(Ga. guy) replaces front sheet metal and gets rebuilt title.
4th owner(me) buys at 79500 miles or so. Knows it is a rebuilt title but not to worry as car
is really good car...not knowledgeable about Honda and their policy on battery replacement
if rebuilt. now knowledgeable.

Have factory service manual, owner manual, tinted the glass to Ga. standards, custom
package shelf mat,stereo,cd player,made a great armrest.You will be unable to find a
2003 as clean inside or out as this one.

Please buy from me at $3800(half my investment) so I can bring my convertible back to
Florida. I am in Flordia(Eustis) until about April 1.Will be back about May 1. Title and
carfax are in Ga. now and won't be here in fla. until May. (car is in fla).

thanx, charlie Walter 706-897-4358 e-mail char-bar@live.com
p.s. Car is not advertised for sale except for here. If I do not find an enthusiast by May
I will put on e-bay

[joecvt]

Hi Charlie,

It may help if you include more details about the car.....The number one question forum members will probably have is:

Is this 2003 Insight a Manual Transmission or a CVT (automatic) model?

You already indicated this is a salvage / rebuilt title and the miles that were on the odometer when you purchased it and the trouble that you are having in the last 1,000 miles but:

What are the total miles on the odometer as of now?

Also (since you seem to still like the car besides the IMA light issue), even though Honda will not help you due to the title, there is a forum member (Ron from hybrid battery repair) that can probably get your battery functional again for less than the other half of your investment cost that you seem willing to lose anyway. It might help to give him a call.

Here is his website:
Hybrid-Battery-Repair

JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner

[34stude]

The transmission is a 5 speed, and the 86000+ miles shown is as of now(march 23 20100 and it won't change as I am not driving it.).incidentally, this car drives perfectly, has like new tires(right type)....I just want my conventional car back that I understand. not interested in continued time, worry and $. thanx,charlie

[Artric]

I just had a long chat with 34stude and am going to try and look at it tomorrow evening.

I'm looking to get the VIN to see if the BCM was ever replaced or reprogrammed. Do they reprogram them on 2003 models? I have a friend of a friend that works at Honda that might be able to help if it's just a reprogram.

I wonder if being a rebuilt title will cause any issues with insurance. I'm looking at another one this evening as well...

If I don't decide that I'm going to buy his, I'll try to post as much additional info as I gather from him on this site to help with the sale. Might be able to get some pics too.

[34stude]

here is the vin - JHMZE13753T000813

maybe at some time in the future, I will manage to get everything I need aabout this car in this listing!!! did I say it was previously owned by Elvis Presley???? thanx, charlie

[ericbecky]

Originally Posted by Artric

I wonder if being a rebuilt title will cause any issues with insurance. I'm looking at another one this evening as well...

When I asked my local insurance agent about insuring a previously salvaged car I got quite of bit of negativity. I'd encourage people to be sure to ask lots of questions from their insurer ahead of time to make sure the transaction goes smoothly.

[Artric]

Right, I hear you. I definitely need to get around to researching that.

What I really need to research though is how to try and repair the battery pack myself. It doesn't seem like it'd be all that complicated - take it apart, diagnose bad sticks with a multimeter - replace. I'm sure that I'm missing all of the difficult parts, though...

It'd be great to save a bunch of cash and have a cheap Insight, then don't bother getting comprehensive insurance and save even more...

[Insightful Trekker]

Originally Posted by Artric

... Do they reprogram them on 2003 models?

All 02's an up have reflashable controllers, but AFAIK there is no programming update that will fix _any_ IMA failure. FYI there is one for a P0420 (CAT) that can delay its inevitably required replacement (5 speeds only, see the sticky in the Problems and Troubleshooting section of the forums).

Nor does the seller state the IMA code. Given its rebuilt status it might very well be something more than "old" batteries.

DIY the batteries? Only with used or refurbished sticks. A cost effective but short term solution vs. replaceing the pack as a whole with new sticks (only available as a remanufactured part from Honda).

HTH!

[34stude]

the code was p1447. from the little i know about the seller(to me), I would be surprised if this is not the original battery but I reallyhave no way of telling that..thanx for your inputs...34stude

[gsfent]

I had the IMA battery pack replaced in my 2004 a few months ago. They did not replace te BCM or MCM, but they did reprogram them. It is much more aggressive programing on regen and assist.

I liked the older programming better, but it is not like they give you a choice!
Regards,
Jerry