Should I Buy It?

klutzygirl · 02-05-2008, 11:23 PM

Hi everyone, my name is Chris. I'm new here and new to Insights, although I have loved them from afar since they first appeared. I am considering buying a 2000 5-speed with almost 130,000 miles on it. The body has a few small cracks along the bottom and the paint is not pristine, but it still looks pretty good and of course is absolutely adorable. I can see I will be naming it soon if I buy it! It drove great with two people in it, very peppy, zoomed uphill on a freeway ramp and blended right into heavy traffic. To my surprise it got up to 80mph very quickly and I had to back off. Did not get sucked under big rigs. Handled great on country roads. Brakes worked fine. History clean. Interior is in decent shape. I forgot to check the tire treads and brake pad wear, and it's 2+ hours away so I would have to take the dealer's word for it. Probably needs the tires balanced. Radio, heater, AC, windows, etc, all seem fine. No potholes, snow, ice, or heavy winds to test--not looking forward to those experiences.

I just read another forum discussion of a similar car and a low lifetime mileage was mentioned. I assume that is the top number on the gauge, which on this one was 39 when I got in. It went up to 40 while I drove it and the actual driving mileage calculator was often at 100. (It didn't seem able to go above 100?) Should I be concerned about the 39 reading? This car has had 2 or 3 previous owners and I don't know if it was ever reset. My driving style is very compatible with good mileage methods and I look forward to tweaking it further, but of course I want a car that is capable of the great rates.

What about the battery? I have read that it is guaranteed for 100,000 miles, and also 150,000. Which is correct? Should I expect it to go out soon and what is the replacement cost? The seller, a small repair shop that sells used cars from auctions (where this baby came from), knows nothing about hybrids and could not answer my questions. I didn't really know what to ask, either, and am awfully happy to have found this site!

Since the Insight has been discontinued, am I likely to have trouble getting replacement parts in the future? Do you expect its resale value to hold, or drop?

The price is $5-6K. Bottom line--is this a good deal? Can I expect it to be dependable for many years to come or only a couple? I generally drive 100-150 miles/week. I can't afford to pay much more than this right now, but cutting my gas bill by half or maybe even 2/3 would make a huge difference in my lifestyle, which is starting to suffer. I live alone; this would be my only vehicle and I can't do any mechanical work myself. Also am not sure whether there are any mechanics around who work on them, although there is a Honda dealership nearby.

Should I buy it? Would you?? I am already half in love and don't want to make a dumb mistake.

Thanks!

--
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle."

Dougie · 02-05-2008, 11:27 PM

What sort of cracks are you seeing?

Basically you would be buying a high mileage car, with the attendant potential problems. The Insight is, other than being made of aluminum and having a wierd motor, basically like any other car. Stuff like gears and brakes and electric window winders eventually wear out. Hondas last better (one might argue) than other cars, but it's still going to be an older car.

On the other hand, it's made by hand, all aluminum, the battery can be fixed, etc. Where else are you going to get an exotic car like this for a few thousand bucks? Ferrari will be quite a bit more expensive...

ghillie · 02-06-2008, 12:31 AM

The body has a few small cracks along the bottom

I'm not sure what you mean but I don't like the sound of this.

The seller, a small repair shop that sells used cars from auctions (where this baby came from), knows nothing about hybrids and could not answer my questions.

I don't like the sound of this either. If they don't know anything about hybrids why buy it at an auction? I would be very suspicious of anything they tell you.

Since the Insight has been discontinued, am I likely to have trouble getting replacement parts in the future?

Not for the foreseeable future.

Do you expect its resale value to hold, or drop?

Hold (more or less) - especially if gas prices continue going up.

Can I expect it to be dependable for many years to come or only a couple? I generally drive 100-150 miles/week. I can't afford to pay much more than this right now, but cutting my gas bill by half or maybe even 2/3 would make a huge difference in my lifestyle, which is starting to suffer. I live alone; this would be my only vehicle and I can't do any mechanical work myself. Also am not sure whether there are any mechanics around who work on them, although there is a Honda dealership nearby.

You know - I love my Insight. They are great cars but in your shoes I would not be buying one. The hybrid drive train is quirky and can be expensive to maintain. You seem to be buying at the cheap end of the market, you know nothing about the history of this particular car, can't work on it yourself but have limited funds to deal with any problems.

Don't buy this car. If you really need wheels now, buy a small cheap beater that is unglamorous and coventional.

Keep saving and looking for an Insight that you can have more confidence in. Keep reading relevant threads from IC. Pick a name for your Insight and keep it secret until you find your baby.

klutzygirl · 02-06-2008, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dougie

What sort of cracks are you seeing?

There are 2 or 3 small vertical cracks along the bottom, an inch or 2 long, and one at a corner from what looks like a fender-bender; no reported accidents on the report. Thank you for reponding!

klutzygirl · 02-06-2008, 08:57 AM

Thanks Ghillie, some sadly good advice. The guy said he bought it because he realizes hybrids will be popular and he wanted to see how easy it was to sell. He pretty much deals in only Japanese cars and wanted to add hybrids to his inventory. Makes sense to me, but so does your advice. Sigh.

I will probably let this one go but would like to see what other folks have to say. Thanks!

Fred · 02-06-2008, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Should I buy it? Would you?? I am already half in love and don't want to make a dumb mistake.

Put emotions aside - a really bad way to purchase anthing of value and almost guaranteed to lead to disappointment.

If you're not knowledgable about automobiles and their postential defects, it would be very well worth you while to take the car to an appropriate repair shop and/or a Honda dealer and for a fee, have them examine the car for you. If there's anything seriously wrong, as they're acting on your behalf (being paid by you) odds are they'll find it.

If time and circumstance don't allow for the above, you just might be better off walking away from the current Insight of interest - there are others out there.

Hope this was of some help :-)

Fred / Proud Owner of "The Silver Bullet"

HornHonker · 02-06-2008, 10:45 AM

I'd offer him 3k and leave my phone number. The car still has over 2 yrs of warranty left on the battery, unless the milage is too high ?

Dougie · 02-06-2008, 07:47 PM

I'm still interested in those cracks, though. Where are they exactly? Are they in a plastic area or an aluminum area?

One thing about steel cars is that there's about 100 years of experience dealing with metal fatigue, which there isn't with aluminum cars...

flymuck · 02-07-2008, 11:54 AM

Does it have a clear title? You would have to verify with the seller, and maybe also do a VIN check to be sure.

A salvage title would void the warranty.

klutzygirl · 02-10-2008, 10:33 AM

I really want to thank all of you for your contributions to my decision. I bought it!

A nearby IC member very kindly checked it out for me and pronounced it purchase-worthy. I think I got a fairly good deal, too. I will be picking it up this week and look forward to driving my new baby!

Anybody want a 2000 Dodge Stratus??

Chris