Thinking about selling my 2003 Insight for a CR-Z

[Doctor U]

What do you guys and gals think? I've been thinking about it for some time. My 2003 has 200k+ in miles and I'm thinking the IMA ISA starting to go.

[Leeper]

You asked for an opinion here it is - If that's what you want to do then I'd suggest doing it, if it is not what you want to do then I'd suggest NOT doing it. Why would you ask other people what YOU should do?

The cars are very different, if one is better for your needs then so be it.

Do you want "new" and pay the price? Do you want "new" for the sake of it being "new"? Do you want payments or is that the best place to put your funds? These are some of many questions that no else can answer for you...

[gilbertguy]

Like Leeper said if it is what you want then get it, with that said here is what I think of the CRZ: I love the car, it is cool, I love the dash board in this car. I have not test driven it but I'm guessing I would love that too. But...... my issue is not the look and feel of the car but the fact that it is a hybrid but there are other gas powered non-hybrid cars out there getting about the same MPG bothers me. Add to that the bad history Honda has with its hybrid batteries and that is a bad combination for me. I live with the down side of the G1 Insight becuase it gets killer gas milage that NOTHING else out there can touch.

So, with all that said go get what you want.

[AbCaRed00]

Originally Posted by Doctor U

What do you guys and gals think? I've been thinking about it for some time. My 2003 has 200k+ in miles and I'm thinking the IMA ISA starting to go.

I had the opportunity to drive a CR-Z when stopping by the dealership this spring for some parts and found it was quite a nice ride, but no ball of fire as the bodywork suggests. My feeling was the CR-Z carries off the spirit of the original insight more so than the second generation cars.
The instrument cluster is cool, it's zippy enough, and though quite a bit heavier it tracks very well in the corners. There are tons more features and you'd feel at home in the seat right away, but the super economy won't there like in the 1st gen cars.
I'd certainly consider one myself if buying a new vehicle, but would likely stick with my older car and upgrade/recondition the existing battery if that's what's actually needed.

[Cobb]

If the main issue is the IMA battery, then Id just get the battery replaced or upgraded. Maybe even get a grid charger or a phev kit?

I thinked my i2 sucked and test drove a crz, I wasnt too impressed. I then put my turbo money for a phev kit and reloved my car.

[Blue-Civic-Hybrid]

Originally Posted by Doctor U

What do you guys and gals think? I've been thinking about it for some time. My 2003 has 200k+ in miles and I'm thinking the IMA ISA starting to go.

I test drove a 6-speed CRZ EX quite a few months back and I loved it. It was peppy, handled great and the interior was awesome. I was ready to buy the car that day as long as the price was right.

Then I went back to the dealership to see what kind of deal they could work out and the best deal they could do was $22k out the door without Nav. That price just killed it for me so I left the dealer.

I found my 70k mile, 1 owner Insight G1 a few weeks later with all service records for $6500 and bought it that day. I've put nearly 20k miles on it since the beginning of this year and the only problem I've had was a nail on the sidewall of my front tire.

Did I make the right choice? I think I did due to the long drives that I do on the weekends getting over 55 MPG while doing 75 to 80 MPH with the AC on.

It all depends on what YOU will be doing with the car....

[Roen]

The CR-Z should've been a more expensive car in the spirit of the G1 but with better suspension, (i.e. 4 wheel double wishbone that Honda used to use on all their cars)

I would've been happy with a 2000 - 2100 lb double wishbone turbo hybrid, I would never get what it is now.

[Docrings]

The cheapest car in the long run, is usually the current car you own now free-and-clear. A new car off the lot costs you 20% to 25% depreciation in the first block of travel off the lot. OUCH. That's what, about, $5000 for a new CR-Z? Add in increased insurance, decreased MPG... you could have just purchased a new, higher power battery pack from the forum here, and been WAAAAY ahead in finances.
Take a little bit more money, and beef up your stereo/sub to make it a more fun place to be, too, if you haven't done that already....

[Doctor U]

After thinking on the matter I'm going to keep my insight. I'll be buying a betterbattery.

[Docrings]

Sounds great! Tell us how the battery upgrade goes.