Mileage- How much does it matter on the Insight?

Phanius · 06-25-2008, 09:50 PM

I recently found an Insight available at about my budget. It is listed for $9000. It has about 141k miles though. The person says the battery has been replaced last year and is good for another 7 years.

So how much do miles matter on the Insight? I know a Chevy with 140k is worthless. Would I end up having to fix the car every weekend at Honda? Is this worth it? Thanks.

budomove · 06-25-2008, 10:24 PM

If it is a 5spd, the clutch may need replacement sometime between now and 300k.
the car should last til 200k+ without much work just like any other honda.
run the vin by american honda to verify the battery replacement.
if it is a cvt, i would be hesitant to purchase a higher mileage specimen, only because autos need rebuilds on hondas generally before 200k, whereas a 5spd will likely only need a clutch.
141k is nothing, but for a cvt, I would be weary. It might last 250k, but then again it might not. a manual transmission you can count on, assuming you treat it well, and shift properly. rev matching and double clutching keeps the synchros healthy, which are kind of delicate on the insight.
If it's a 5spd, go for it, if its a cvt, I wouldn't know, because I don't know enough about their reliability.
It's definitely a good price!

bfivelover · 06-25-2008, 10:25 PM

That's not a bad price considering Insights with 210,000 are going for over $6,000 on Ebay. I'm at 208,000 and have had the batteries and Cat replaced. No other problems other than the car attracts deer

I'm still getting 75 to 84 MPG driving 65 miles to work. I got 73 this morning with a front tire with only 19lbs!!! I guess it depends on how the car was driven by the previous owner. The battery is good for 7 years? The warranty is up to 150,000 miles, and if they are telling you it will last 7 years, there is no way they can do that. The batteries could die tomorrow, or they could last the life of the car. There is no way to know for sure. I'd ask what they mean by "good for 7 years", ask how many owners, how it's been driven, although with 141,000 miles, it's probably mostly highway.

budomove · 06-25-2008, 10:32 PM

yeah, like he said, the warranty is 10 year/150k miles. This guy probably means that it should be expected to last that long. The battery pack is now down to $2000, but if it truly was replaced recently, then it will likely be fine for the rest of the cars life. Call American Honda with the VIN.

Red18 · 06-26-2008, 02:07 AM

Mines got 230k and runs more or less well

Patrickmilburn · 06-26-2008, 02:40 AM

I drove an Insight today with 230,000 miles. Got 77 mpg over 221 miles. The car runs and drives great!! The motor, trans and clutch have been replaced, as have the cats, radiator, paint, windshield, electrical controllers, carpet and various odds and ends. As far as I know it's still on it's original battery pack! It is as tight and solid as other Insights I've driven with 50,000 miles!!! If you keep up with maintenance and replace parts as needed these cars will last a long time!!!

joecvt · 06-26-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by budomove

if it is a cvt, i would be hesitant to purchase a higher mileage specimen, only because autos need rebuilds on hondas generally before 200k, whereas a 5spd will likely only need a clutch.
141k is nothing, but for a cvt, I would be weary.

The CVT is not like the typical automatic transmission. It is not cycling through gears or performing harsh downshifts that may cause other transmissions to fail prematurely. There is no torque converter. Once the start clutch is engaged, the CVT only changes ratios instead of shifting. I think generally, if the CVT wasn't driven like a maniac, then I believe it can last over 200K miles.

JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner

whychug · 06-26-2008, 11:27 AM

9000 for an insight w/ 141k!? I got mine with 60k for 9500 in October... Man, this market is outa control. That seems way high in my opinion, but I guess drastic times call for drastic measures... Check maint records and if it's been well kept, I agree about 141k not being worrysome for a honda.

budomove · 06-26-2008, 11:34 AM

Yeah, I mean compared to a couple months ago, the price is a bit steep, mine was $7500 with 98k in 1/08, but $9000 is a good price in current market. Especially if you can inspect it in person, rather than buying off ebay for maybe more money as well.

JimIsbell · 06-26-2008, 05:55 PM

I just paid $13,900 for a 2000 with 172,000 miles and there were two people standing in line behind me ready to pay $15,000 if I didn't take it. It looks like new and has been very well kept. The battery was replaced in 2006, new tires all around...the correct ones, new windshield (old one was cracked). Was that too much...maybe....but if you want one now, you will pay through the nose for it and as gas prices continue on up to $8 + a gallon....where I think they are going....then its a good deal. There will be no new cars with this kind of mileage for at least 4 years and they will be $25,000 or more. The aluminum in the body will be worth half your purchase price in a few years. And, when you get ready to pay the $25,000 to $30,000 for that new one that gets 75 mpg you will be able to sell this one for what you paid for it. Go for it while you can. ...Hurry, I am trying to run the prices up so mine doesn't lose value...#