Red 2000 Insight 5spd - 45k miles - IMA Light On - Make Offer!
I have a two owner Insight that lived in TN until Sept 2010 and had only 33k miles on it when I bought it in July 2010 to replace my old Insight. It came with all service records since new (and always through a Honda dealer). I live in Austin now. The car has always been garaged and is accident free.
My IMA light came on yesterday and the dealer says it needs a new battery and both controllers. Once you fix the IMA system, you'll have a very solid car. I've never had any issues out of it other than that. I was getting ready to sell the car (I need more space now) so I'm taking offers to decide whether to fix it first or not. I've had it posted online at $9,900 and I've been getting some interest at that price before the light came on.
It is well equipped with:
--A/C
--Keyless Entry
--4 Good Michelin tires (in the correct 165/65/14 size)
--Factory Carpet Floor Mats (no longer available)
--Drilled/Slotted Brake Rotors (I put these on my old Insight due to warping issues and moved them when I bought this car. They improve braking performance a bit too.)
--Aftermarket Stereo - It has an Alpine head unit with excellent iPod controls, an Aux-In, AM/FM Radio, and a CD-Player. It has 4 Infinity Kappa 2-way speakers. In the trunk well, I have an Alpine amp, 1 Farad Capacitor, and a Cerwin Vega Subwoofer. The system was installed properly and it sounds great.
The car is drivable, but not for long distances. I have a trailer and could deliver it for the right price. I have a clean, clear title in hand. If you are interested, feel free to call me at 423-534-4861 or PM me. Please do not call with solicitations or selling services (unless you already have a buyer lined up).
I'm not asking $9900 for the car now, nor was I expecting to get my asking price before, but it was a starting point and close enough to the value to get calls about it. The car is obviously worth less now, given that it needs work. I am looking for offers...I won't be offended by offers and I just might take them. Feel free to tell me what the car is worth to you!
I'd offer you 1200.00$ then we would have to figure out transport cost, and payment certified check?
I appreciate your offer but I'm not sure where your $2k figure came from. As someone who works with dealers often, I'm seeing Insights in Austin with 90-120k miles wholesaling in the 3-5k range and retailing for 6-8k. They go for more with lower miles (and this one has only 45k documented miles, with all service records present). I've had this one posted for $9900 and got quite a few responses before the battery died, including offers for more than $9k. I posted it at $5800 on Craigslist and I've had a lot of interest (with the ad stating it has bad IMA batteries).
The car is worth more than $2k if I sell it as a parts car (and wrecked Insights often go for that much or more). I could do the repair at Honda then sell it for $9k and come out several thousand ahead of what you're offering. In reality, it should be worth more than $9k with only 45k miles and brand new batteries. The batteries are really the only expensive repair the Insight has to worry about.
Thanks again for your offer, but I'll have to decline.
I know its a dumb question, but why dont you consider having Ron at Hybrid Battery Repair recondition the battery for you? And then re-sell it for a higher value. I would assume the car with a reconditioned battery with that low of miles would bring in the 9K price range. I paid 9K for my 03 Insight w/33K last year. I dont think his services are that terribly expensive, considering your other options. Unless you just dont have the time to deal with it and want it gone ASAP..........
I know its a dumb question, but why dont you consider having Ron at Hybrid Battery Repair recondition the battery for you? And then re-sell it for a higher value. I would assume the car with a reconditioned battery with that low of miles would bring in the 9K price range. I paid 9K for my 03 Insight w/33K last year. I dont think his services are that terribly expensive, considering your other options. Unless you just dont have the time to deal with it and want it gone ASAP..........
Thanks for the suggestion! I learned about his services after I posted the ad. I did a bit more research and learned a lot more about what he does to the batteries. My housemate is an electrical engineer at a company that makes high-precision electrical tools that will allow us to test the cells (they are badly out of balance). If they need replacing (this is likely) he should be able to do the repairs for the cost of the batteries alone. If it doesn't work, I can ship it off to Ron. I will probably purchase a set of battery packs (there are 20 packs of 6 cells) from Ron so that the car has all new batteries before I sell it.
My local Honda dealer wanted $5850 for the repair - way too much given the other options. At this point I'm planning to make sure its in good working order before I sell it.
Thanks for the suggestion! I learned about his services after I posted the ad. I did a bit more research and learned a lot more about what he does to the batteries. My housemate is an electrical engineer at a company that makes high-precision electrical tools that will allow us to test the cells (they are badly out of balance). If they need replacing (this is likely) he should be able to do the repairs for the cost of the batteries alone. If it doesn't work, I can ship it off to Ron. I will probably purchase a set of battery packs (there are 20 packs of 6 cells) from Ron so that the car has all new batteries before I sell it.
My local Honda dealer wanted $5850 for the repair - way too much given the other options. At this point I'm planning to make sure its in good working order before I sell it.
Its to my understanding that it may just need a good balancing/grid charging. Also I dont think in your case that "all" 120 battery cells are bad. I think Ron does a balancing and only replaces "cells" as required. May only be a few in need of replacment. I think he charges around $1000.00. Alot better than the Stealership. Dont feel bad. I bought my Insight last Jan w 33k on it and it threw the IMA light within a month of ownership. The low miles and lack of use appears to be a killer for these cars. I still dont think I drive mine enough....... Why you looking to sell such a low milage machine anyway?
Its to my understanding that it may just need a good balancing/grid charging. Also I dont think in your case that "all" 120 battery cells are bad. I think Ron does a balancing and only replaces "cells" as required. May only be a few in need of replacment. I think he charges around $1000.00. Alot better than the Stealership. Dont feel bad. I bought my Insight last Jan w 33k on it and it threw the IMA light within a month of ownership. The low miles and lack of use appears to be a killer for these cars. I still dont think I drive mine enough....... Why you looking to sell such a low milage machine anyway?
I have changed jobs and locations. I'm thinking I'd like to have something economic with more seats and a more powerful A/C. The Insight's A/C blows cold, but in the TX summer, it struggles to keep up with that big back window.
We are going to try balancing the cells first (my house mate has access to the equipment to do that through his job) and then replace any pack of six that has bad cells (we don't have the equipment or expertise to solder batteries). I've read you can go from 3% to 95% functionality that way. The cells can be had for only about $13 each.
The Insight's battery management system is terrible when it comes to balancing cells and/or managing charges. Basically as soon as one cell is full, it stops charging (based on temperature). It stops discharging the same way. As one cell becomes defective or just unbalanced, it sets a new full or low charge targets, artificially accelerating the failure of the pack. A simple balancing system would go a long way. With NiMH batteries, you can do a long, slow charge and they'll balance out. If only there were a way to plug it in for 15 or so hours every now and then.
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Red 2000 Insight 5spd - 45k miles - IMA Light On - Make Offer!
