good buy??

gogreen · 09-30-2011, 06:37 PM

2001 Honda Insight Hybrid Red 58 MPG

im concerned about the 200k+ mileage, salvage title and the seller being the 3rd owner?
anything else i should be concern about??
thank you

boogetyboogety · 09-30-2011, 07:41 PM

Salvage title = deal breaker for me. Maybe some have lower standards... but my big three guidelines to a long and healthy life (don't piss off cops, don't date hookers, and don't buy salvage titled cars), which have served me well throughout my many years, would prevent me from even looking at this.

Eli · 09-30-2011, 07:45 PM

Hmm. See if you can talk them down to $3000. Use the fact that it doesn't have OEM tires as leverage, as you'll want to pick up some RE92s ASAP.

It doesn't seem like they've disclosed any information about the transmission. If you test drive it, try a 50MPH downshift into 2nd. If it grinds, use that as leverage as well. I see some scuffs on the rear bumper too.

We will help you through any issues you have.

High mileage is not a concern overall. How mechanically proficient are you?

Edit: I would agree with boogety, except unfortunately a salvage title means very little with an Insight. They're totalled out at the drop of a hat. Have you run a Carfax? The whole "salvage because it was donated" sounds a little fishy to me. That's the only real red flag I see though.

gogreen · 09-30-2011, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eli

Hmm. See if you can talk them down to $3000. Use the fact that it doesn't have OEM tires as leverage, as you'll want to pick up some RE92s ASAP.

It doesn't seem like they've disclosed any information about the transmission. If you test drive it, try a 50MPH downshift into 2nd. If it grinds, use that as leverage as well. I see some scuffs on the rear bumper too.

We will help you through any issues you have.

High mileage is not a concern overall. How mechanically proficient are you?

Edit: I would agree with boogety, except unfortunately a salvage title means very little with an Insight. They're totalled out at the drop of a hat. Have you run a Carfax? The whole "salvage because it was donated" sounds a little fishy to me. That's the only real red flag I see though.

i'm not really mechanically proficient that is why my main concern is if the car can take me to point A to B with out problems. so im not really effy about a few scratches here and there though.

i will try to ask later tonight why the car has the salvaged title, what transmission and if it has any issues when downshifting gears(if its manual transmission).

also, should i also ask how many miles was it when the battery was replaced right? and i know you've mentioned high mileage on insights isn't really a concern but if the engine does fail, will it be expensive to replace/fix?

thanks a bunch!

Leeper · 09-30-2011, 08:58 PM

Cars are not "salvaged" because they are donated sorry. Unless YOU, not others, really know how to turn wrenches and have a bankroll that can help if/when you run across issues then I'd run away from that purchase. *** Notice how the front bumper is badly faded yet the hood, fenders, and doors the paint looks good... the whole car has been reshot.

The owner is looking for a naive buyer who is emotional and not logical, don't be that person. High mileage on a "care-for" Insight is not a lot but given this car has no history (Carfax does nothing in terms of valid background information), was donated (why would someone donate car that could easily sell for several thousand dollars quickly unless there are extenuating circumstances, which you won't know?!?!

If your goal is to get reliable transportation and limit headaches with not having to wrench yourself this is not the car/circumstance to go after. There's a lot at risk with this car.

Good luck, Do a "Search" on the many previous posts regarding purchasing an Insight there was one just a couple days ago as this will give you an education into what things to look for, values, opinions about pro's/con's of salvaged Insights

The Good:

- IMA Battery just recently rebalanced with good Battery Stick/Cells. It is in great working order. It will assist, regen, and charge in proper manner. How does he know this and the information given is irrelevant as to the condition of the batteries.
- ICE COLD A/C
- New Clutch
- 58+ MPG atleast he did not post what the lifetime mileage is, that tells you he is likely trying to pull your leg here
- All Electronic works, including power windows, Keyless Entry, OEM Radio, Truck Opener
- Great tire thread. On wrong tires, why would he do this other than "being cheap... and if he is cheap about the tires what else did he skimp on?
- The body is straight and very tight for a 10 year old car
- No dents or dints, this is important since you cannot fix dents on these cars because they are made of Aluminum He clearly knows little, is quick to show this but worse is trying to deceive others with his lack of knowledge
- Paint is still shining, no fade after being "salvaged" I'd fully expect it to be painted, but I'd also bet that the paintwork is not at factory standard so good luck there
- No rattles
- Just did a oil change today (Synthetic) incredible! He changed the oil, this is a 20 minute $20 job... I'd prefer to have seen what the oil looked like prior to him doing that as there could be a lot of information on that dipstick
- All Service work done by Honda I've seen a LOT of poor work done at stealerships (see the multitudes of posts regarding stealerships stripping drain plugs or wrongful oil and oil amounts in their Insights), that would mean little to me UNLESS he has ALL the records from initial purchase until today. I'd also insist on all records pertaining to WHY it was "totaled" before ever considering this car

Balboa · 09-30-2011, 09:08 PM

Sounds strange. Any time someone is selling a car for another person...that is a red flag. Unless it's the spouse or something. Any time a car is salvage that is a big red flag. Any time one part of the car has faded paint...that's not a big red flag, as some cars paint fade in different spots all the time.

I'd have a mechanic look at it first. But as long as it was fixed right, and you can get it for half of what others are asking, it might be worth it.

Salvage really means something happened to the car in which repair would exceed the value of the car. Always assume that the car has been in a serious accident if it's salvage.

Balboa · 09-30-2011, 09:12 PM

doube post

Eli · 09-30-2011, 09:39 PM

Yeah, I'm going to have to agree with others at this point. This may be a good buy for someone like me, but it doesn't sound like a very good buy for you.

Be patient. There are deals to be had.

But the engine isn't going to fail unless you run it out of oil - on pretty much any Insight. Engines don't really just fail, they die slow, painful deaths usually involving lots of oil burning. The engine in the 447k mile car does not burn a drop of oil. I expect it to be good for at least another 200,000 miles.

gogreen · 10-01-2011, 02:22 AM

thanks alot guys. i guess i'll just wait until i find a better deal/car out there

i really REALLY appreciate it!

Eli · 10-01-2011, 02:27 AM

It's pretty rare to find an Insight in the 3k range. It's possible, but it takes diligence.

I was going to try and keep this for myself, but unfortunately the fiancee poopoo'd it.

2001 Honda Insight Hybrid 53mpg

If it's still there, BUY IT NOW. It almost doesn't matter what's wrong with it. That's a great deal.

Edit: Man.. I'm still tempted... haha.. You better jump on that.