Looking at an insight, need some help

[carrotsnax]

I guess I will figure it out.

[Leeper]

What you should look for, first and foremost, is the "search" feature on this site... there you'll find EVERY question you might have pertaining to everything to do with purchasing an Insight. Each and every week at least one person asks the very same question you just did and the answers are at your fingertips. This includes, battery questions, motor questions, mileage, values, pre-purchase help, etc.

Good luck

[madapple]

Hello,
Being a new owner myself, At 57 years old nd having bought and sold
over 150 cars as a hobby I have just found out that I know NOTHING....
at least the folling poster feels so.
Sorry i was trying to help.

[Leeper]

Though the last response was "nice" it isn't really "accurate"... again you'll find your best information by "searching" the archives and learning for yourself. Let me address some of the mis-information here:

Being a new owner myself, i can tell you what I did and what I looked for.
First was reading a lot of posts here after I registered. Then with all my
new found info, at least I could talk to the owner with some idea of what I
was talking about,,,,,, read you will understand what I am saying.
These cars are great, fun, exciting, high tech cars,,, AND THEY ARE
DIFFERENT THAT ANYTHING YOU HAVE OWNED BEFORE!!!! Not a bad
thing, just different.
I looked at the same things I would on any used car, How Clean is it? irrelevant as that is no way an indicator of condition of the car, maintenance, or likelihood of longevity. MANY cars can be made to look "clean" but are lemons. Would I prefer a clean car to one that is not, yes, but don't worry about a minor detail unless you truly know what you are looking at in terms of repainting... in business it is called "putting lipstick on a pig".
Condition of the paint and interior? Clean under the hood? Most any "spray wash" will degrease the engine such that it looking clean is meaningless. Again, I'd prefer to see a clean engine but don't let that fool you. Any Leaks?
How about service history( important on these)? Insights are such that dealerships know little about these cars. I've seen some horrific work done by factory mechanics. Receipts for work done would make me more happy than knowing a dealership or indi has done the work personally. Tires and brakes?? again - irrelevant - tires run @$340 new, brakes are $40 for front pads... these are not expensive items. I doubt that such inexpensive items are qualifying questions.
Clutch for a manual?? Wrong question again, as hopefully you'll learn from your own research. Clutches rarely go out n these cars, focus more on the ISB in a MT. Mileage??
The mileage thing was not as important with the Insight as some other
cars, these need to be driven, so don't let one with 150k scare you, mine
has 166k and drives and preforms like new, some here have over 400k.
So if it was between a 2002 with 20k and one with 90k,,, I would take
the 90k, knowing it was driven more and the chance of the battery pack needing replaced was less. Wrong once again. The batteries long-term health is more likely determined by how often it is driven, the car could easily sit for a month then get driven for long hauls so the mileage is not indicative of its health. that blanket statement is wrought with inaccuracy which could lead you into wrongly purchasing a car that could be less desirable
When test driving make sure the IMA light isn't on. Read about that one.


My points are that you need to do your own research then determine what points are pertinent to you and your needs. The better you study, the more likely you are to be happy with your purchase. Also, make sure you ask very clear questions then qualify the answers.

Again, good luck

[Calpod]

Here is a good one, find out if the owner is a member of this forum, the go and read all his posts relating to problems, this will give you good information on what kind of problems and repairs the car has had in the past.

[carrotsnax]

Madapple I appreciate your willingness to offer help in my minimal quest for information.

I have done a considerable amount of research on the Insight and have become quite familiar with several possible issues and trinkets to check. I am not an Insight Guru which is why I posted asking for some opinion.

Sadly another stereotype has been reinforced.... Any one that owns a Honda that was made after 1985 has an attitude problem. I can clearly see this with leeper.

Just FYI cool guy I own 3 of Honda's highest mpg car to ever come to America and no one ever knows what it is.... But its the Honda N600 at 67 mpg... And no electrics to aid its propulsion.

SO I can clearly see that as soon as I have joined I will just as quickly leave.

Thanks

[Calpod]

carrotsnax,

This is a good forum, from time to time you will find negative comments from a member, but we are a diverse group of people and we all have our different ways of thinking... Don't let this discourage you, as you will see, there is a great group of people here willing to help, if you decide to purchase the Insight, this is the right place to be.

[gilbertguy]

Originally Posted by carrotsnax

Just FYI cool guy I own 3 of Honda's highest mpg car to ever come to America and no one ever knows what it is.... But its the Honda N600 at 67 mpg... And no electrics to aid its propulsion.

I looked up your little N600, that was quite an interesting little car and completely new to me. Thanks for mentioning it as I enjoyed looking it up and reading about it. Had never heard of it before now. Like Calpod said if you need help this is a good place to seek answers

[Rick-Dallas]

I've actually worked on a couple of these Honda 600's as we called them back when I worked at a Honda dealership in the 70's.

Seemed like they were 2 cylinder, air cooled and the shifter came right out of the dash instead of the floor! A bit small but certainly driveable.

Valve timing chain was the thing that seemed to go bad the most.

Looked like a big motorcycle engine under the hood.

Haven't seen one on the road in a very long time.

[jeff652]

I almost left this place when I first arrived due to the arrogance of a couple senior members.

Screw the old grumps I say, there's enough cool people around here.

Please stay, and ask questions. The normal people around here like to answer them and share their knowledge . . .