UK members. I would like to buy a First Generation Insight please.

[jami dodgers]

Hi all, as the title says, I would like to buy an Insight. I'm based near Bristol in the the South West of England, but I am prepared to travel anywhere in the UK, to view and collect the car if neccessary.

I would prefer 2001 onward, original UK car because of the tax (am I right with this?).

A car in good useable condition or one needing work equally acceptable, I have a Range Rover and car trailer (son used to do rallying) and so I can collect a non-runner easily enough.

I currently have a 1998 Schnitzer BMW Z3M coupe, but have seen the light I am happy to work out a part exchange, the BM is worth £12k, or buy the Insight as a cash deal and sell the BM.

Look forward to hearing from you, via the forum or PM.

Thanks.

[retepsnikrep]

Set up searches on autotrader and e-bay that's about your only hope of getting one. Remember there are only ~250 in UK.

[jami dodgers]

Thanks for the advice, I've already set searches up for flea bay and autotrader.

I'm just trying to leave no stone un-turned, you never know, maybe a UK member has had a change of circumstances.....won the lottery or something like that and wants to sell their Insight.

I'm their man.

Am I right in saying I should be looking for 2001 onwards and UK spec to get the road tax free? Congestion charges not so important, can't think of the last time I drove into central London!

Thanks.

[retepsnikrep]

March 2001 onward UK cars are exempt from tax yes.

Insights (unless already regd) for congestion charge zone are no longer exempt. Even if they are regd that runs out end 2012.

What about the red automatic one on ebay recently? I know it is not tax exempt.
A lot of the insights you may find for sale now will have IMA faults.

[jami dodgers]

Thanks for the reply.

I still have the red one saved in my e-bay favourites. I guess the things putting me off are:-

the seller put very little detail in the text of the original ad,

he couldn't even be bothered to pull it out of the hedge to photograph it properly,

the driver's door looks to be a different colour, again no mention in the ad,

high asking price for a grey import car with faults.

I plan on only owning one of these cars, so its either got to be a nice car at a reasonable price or one that needs work at a price that reflects.

Essex is a long way to go just to have a look. I've only been searching for a couple of days and am trying to curb my usual habit of rushing in without due consideration.

In your opinion, are these getting so scarce that I should go for this one?

If so, can you, or anyone else help with IMA faults? (At a price, obviously).

[retepsnikrep]

I agree seller is a very lax.

Never bothered to responded to e-mails or answer questions about getting fault code read. As no one is likely to buy it without knowing that then he will be stuck. He clearly does not realise a core of enthusiasts on here are examining in detail any car that comes up for sale in UK. I get e-mails most weeks from people looking for a UK car, they are all looking or acting on our advice as well. Most end up joining here as well.

Don't rush in yet but keep it on the back burner. Clearly he will have to reduce the price to sell it. At around £2000 i might consider it myself but would still want to know the fault codes first.

IMA battery not a problem we have spare cells and you can recon your own under members guidance on here. I now have a spare stock of batteries needing a recon but don't have time to do them myself, so sell them for £500 exchange + half a dozen sticks of cells to recon yourself.

The only concern i would have is if the car in question has a CVT or CAT fault. Anything else is not really a problem. Clearly if you buy a £2000 car and it costs £1000 to sort it then that's not bad and you sound like a long term enthusiast.

[jami dodgers]

Thanks for your reply and advice therein.

I'll keep looking for now then.

[Suntory1980]

There is a red cvt on piston heads going fr 4k+

[Suntory1980]

Originally Posted by retepsnikrep

I agree seller is a very lax.


The only concern i would have is if the car in question has a CVT or CAT fault. Anything else is not really a problem. Clearly if you buy a £2000 car and it costs £1000 to sort it then that's not bad and you sound like a long term enthusiast.

Just out of interest why a cat fault is a "big"concern?
And what are indicators of a cat fault?

[retepsnikrep]

Looks at this page to see why a dead cat is bad in UK.

2001 HONDA INSIGHT DX EXHAUST PIPE - Honda Original Parts from Lings Honda v1.01

Only indications will be an error code.

This was the red one on PH. Sold i see.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2762793.htm