Car history

dinther · 07-25-2010, 09:24 PM

About 2 years ago I got lucky and had a chance to buy a great looking Citrus Honda Insight. Green upholstery and paint job in a very good condition.

The son of the lady I bought the car from was in the used car importing business (A big thing here in NZ as almost everyone drives a Japan import) and he imported the car in 2004.

I am the second NZ registered owner. What is puzzling me however is that the car has a CVT but the build year is 1999!

I believe CVT versions were not available until 2001 or 2002 so the year makes no sense. However, I wonder if I have an early prototype because with the right light at the right angle you can see where Japanese character stickers had been stuck on the back of the car. In between the Japanese you can also make out the text "1st"

I am keen to find out how it can be that this cars build year is 1999. Quietly hoping this car is a first of something. Is there a way to find out?

RobertSmalls · 07-25-2010, 09:45 PM

Hmm... what are the last four digits of the VIN number?

The export market didn't get Insights at all until MY2000, and it wouldn't surprise me if the Japanese got CVTs before '01 as well.

dinther · 07-25-2010, 10:06 PM

I need to lookup the VIN number. That is a plate somewhere in the engine compartment right?

RobertSmalls · 07-25-2010, 10:35 PM

InsightCentral.net - Encyclopedia - Honda VIN

dinther · 07-25-2010, 10:55 PM

Ok, I could not find the number in the window but under the hood a number what I think is the vin was stamped in the aluminium car frame and on an aluminium plate fixed on the frame.

Although similar to the number listed on InsightCentral.net - Encyclopedia - Honda VIN it is quite different and makes no sense to me:

HN-ZE1 was written on the first line and
ZE1-1000558 on the second line.

Any idea what all that means?

60MPG · 07-26-2010, 12:15 AM

CVT were available in Japan from 2000.
InsightCentral.net - Honda Insight Options and Accessories

dinther · 07-26-2010, 02:22 AM

Thanks, never thought about different release years in different countries. The data you linked to basically tells me, "Move along, nothing to see here" although my car must be one of the first ones.

Thanks for the info.

retepsnikrep · 07-26-2010, 02:49 AM

e-mail or write to honda japan asking for info

RobertSmalls · 07-26-2010, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinther

HN-ZE1 was written on the first line and
ZE1-1000558 on the second line.

Any idea what all that means?

ZE1 means "Insight", and I suspect you have #558 for that year.