Hi there! I am looking for a car and am interested in an Insight. I have found a 2000 MT with 130k miles locally for 4900. It's one owner and he says the battery was replaced and the tires are new. Seems like a good deal, any thoughts? I drive about 20 miles a day, is the insight a good car for that kind of mileage?
Here I go again. Location, location.Your mileage WILL vary with your driving skills and knowledge of how everything works. Yes it is a good car for that trip mileage.
Price is fair. When was the IMA battery replaced.? When was the 12V battery replaced? What is the LMPG on the vehicle. Need more information.
HTH
Willie
__________________
01 5 speed. "Little Red Rocket"
The first "TURBOCHARGED" Hybrid, (01/2003)
296,000 mi. @ 58.0 LMPG
2007 Honda Fit, Red Sport AT
1998 Ford F-150, NASCAR "Limited Edition"
(3K made, possibly the prototype one)
When was the battery replaced? What brand, model and size are the new tires?
Only you can answer the question regarding your driving 20 miles/day.
What do you currently drive? What are you expecting out of the Insight?
__________________
Insight #1 - Silver '01 5MT @ 158,388 as of 7/11 - Best Tank: 84.5MPG over 807mi
Insight #2 - Silver '01 5MT @ 450,000 as of 1/12 - Best Tank: 86.0MPG over 800mi
Insight #3 - Silver '00 5MT, MIMA #163P, BCM Gauge, OBDIIC&C Gauge, BetterBattery @ 228,869 as of 1/12 - Best Tank: 78.4mpg over 687mi
When was the battery replaced? What brand, model and size are the new tires?
Only you can answer the question regarding your driving 20 miles/day.
What do you currently drive? What are you expecting out of the Insight?
Trying to find out about the battery now. I currently dont have a car and my wife and I are sharing. Would like something affordable and easy to maintain. The great gas mileage on the insight is for sure a plus.
Trying to find out about the battery now. I currently dont have a car and my wife and I are sharing. Would like something affordable and easy to maintain. The great gas mileage on the insight is for sure a plus.
I would say the Insight fits the bill nicely overall, then.
I would say go for it. If the tires are anything other than the OEM Bridgestone RE92 in P165/65R14, you should try and talk them down a bit, IMO. Any other tire will give a 10% MPG hit on the upper end of the spectrum(80+MPG).
Regardless of when the battery was replaced, it would be wise to invest in a grid charger. A grid charger should be seen as preventative maintenance, to be used sparingly to help keep your battery healthy.
__________________
Insight #1 - Silver '01 5MT @ 158,388 as of 7/11 - Best Tank: 84.5MPG over 807mi
Insight #2 - Silver '01 5MT @ 450,000 as of 1/12 - Best Tank: 86.0MPG over 800mi
Insight #3 - Silver '00 5MT, MIMA #163P, BCM Gauge, OBDIIC&C Gauge, BetterBattery @ 228,869 as of 1/12 - Best Tank: 78.4mpg over 687mi
__________________
Insight #1 - Silver '01 5MT @ 158,388 as of 7/11 - Best Tank: 84.5MPG over 807mi
Insight #2 - Silver '01 5MT @ 450,000 as of 1/12 - Best Tank: 86.0MPG over 800mi
Insight #3 - Silver '00 5MT, MIMA #163P, BCM Gauge, OBDIIC&C Gauge, BetterBattery @ 228,869 as of 1/12 - Best Tank: 78.4mpg over 687mi
It's obvious to say that $4900 for a 2000 5MT with 130k is under market value given it's not a salvage title. Even if it is, that's still low if the repairs were done right. At twenty miles a day you'll drive it ten years before reaching the mileage which lots of forum members have on theirs. A more experienced owner than I will have to say whether 10 miles each way is enough! Bear in mind that the battery pack, even if relatively new, can be damaged by letting the car sit for a few weeks. How well do you know the history? Is there paperwork on the battery?
I've only owned my I1 for a month and I love it. It's pretty clear that Honda overspent by $8000+ on making each of these little gems, so the value is huge if it suits you. Seems to me that Honda would like I1s to go the way of the EV1 and just disappear. My local dealer tried to charge $150 for a key fob! A dealer will try to get four or five grand for a battery replacement out of warranty. So you'll have to look out for yourself or find someone locally who's competent to service it. Best of luck!
Thanks all. The one locally fell through, the owner wasn't giving me good information on the car and I didnt feel comfortable about it. Since when is asking questions about a car you want to buy an inconvenience???
The search continues. I'm in the Dallas/Fort Worth area if anyone knows any one who is looking to sell.
Did the seller of the car say it was an "inconvenience" for you to ask questions.
Thats when i would have walked away.
A good seller will tell you all of the good things about the vehicle and all of the bad things also. That way, there are no regrets from each party.
(At least that is the way I sell my vehicles.)
Willie
__________________
01 5 speed. "Little Red Rocket"
The first "TURBOCHARGED" Hybrid, (01/2003)
296,000 mi. @ 58.0 LMPG
2007 Honda Fit, Red Sport AT
1998 Ford F-150, NASCAR "Limited Edition"
(3K made, possibly the prototype one)
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
Considering an Insight....
