Just purchased Insight #3

pennyduke · 12-21-2011, 06:17 PM

I just purchased The 2001 Insight CVT listed on Craigslist in VA and mentioned in this forum for $1600 cash. It has a bad transmission but everything else checked out just fine. I beat the saleman down all week from $2395. I stayed firm at $1500 until he called me today and said $1600 cash off the lot. It's in my driveway now. He replaced the IMA between the motor and transmission because someone told him that was the problem, but it wasn't. The car does move but is grinding and slipping real bad in the transmission. Now the fun begins. Anyone got a 2001-2006 CVT for sale?

Eli · 12-21-2011, 06:29 PM

That's not a bad deal at all.

Congrats!

I'm interested to drive a CVT some day. I'm sure it would be an exercise in frustration after only driving MTs, but it would be interesting.

joecvt · 12-21-2011, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eli

I'm interested to drive a CVT some day. I'm sure it would be an exercise in frustration after only driving MTs, but it would be interesting.

It is like saying congrats on your purchase but you could have done better.

It may be frustrating for some;
since the left foot will have nothing to do.
being able to hold a coffee in your hand from dead stop to highway speed.
not being told by dashboard indicator as to when to shift gears.
not having to constantly wonder if they are in the correct gear.
having IMA battery packs last longer (on average).
having a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle.

Oh, now I remember, getting less MPG (on average) but yet, having the second highest MPG vehicle without having to work at it. It is not always about getting the ultimate MPG for everyone who owns an Insight, sometimes it is what you have to do to acheive the MPG.

Each vehicle has its pros and cons but they are both great designs for what they were intended for. You say tomato and I say tomato (it doesn't translate correctly as text) but I don't say that your tomato is sub-par.

JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner

Eli · 12-21-2011, 07:34 PM

Er.. I didn't mean it like that at all, I am sorry

I was just thinking aloud...

Cobb · 12-21-2011, 07:46 PM

The cvt is a bit better in design than a slush box. I like the fact it always has the right ratio vs 4 clunky gears to select.

At times it doesnt seem to really lug the engine, but seems to stick to 70% load, so its tempting to hack the controls to force a tall ratio just for that purpose unless 70% load is optinum vs WOT for mpg.

Sent from my Autoguide iPod touch app

Eli · 12-21-2011, 07:54 PM

I agree, a CVT is great compared to a slushbox. And Honda's design seems to be fairly reliable overall.

Wish I could have sat in on the meetings where they decided to not give the CVT lean burn though. It strikes me as a really odd decision.. seems much more trouble to create a different engine, etc.. but I suspect it was more of a political decision than not, ie: having a SULEV vehicle.

Cobb · 12-21-2011, 08:25 PM

That is interesting. I was reading on ecomodder that other vehicles over seas has a green indicator that signals you are in lean burn. It would seem with a cvt it would be easier than with a fixed ratio to keep the car in lean burn and tie it to an eco button or something.

Sent from my Autoguide iPod touch app

joecvt · 12-21-2011, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eli

Wish I could have sat in on the meetings where they decided to not give the CVT lean burn though. It strikes me as a really odd decision.. seems much more trouble to create a different engine, etc.. but I suspect it was more of a political decision than not, ie: having a SULEV vehicle.

I agree, at times on long highway trips (I do admit

), I wish lean burn was an option for gen1 US CVT Insights. Having to build an engine with different pistons to lower the compression ratio and a different fuel line and cat converter setup between the two models seems like a waste of resources without considering the competitor's high MPG car specs. I think part (if not all) of the decision to make US model CVTs non-leanburn (SULEV certified) was to compete with the Prius (an SULEV car) on an environmental EPA rating "green" basis.

JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner

Balboa · 12-22-2011, 10:07 AM

I guess the question is why do you have three insights? At that price it's a steal. I was lucky to find mine for $900.

timny1984 · 12-22-2011, 12:02 PM

Better questions is who will be the first to 4?

I'm at two but i can't see me getting a third any time soon. Congrats on the purchase!

Tim