Advice Request

[Bornloser]

Thanks for the offers....right now, waiting to get tax refund, then its time to buy. Hate to waste peoples time just looking, I want money in hand to purchase. Should be ready in about 2 weeks.

[mkeeton]

I have bought 3 of these wonderful cars in the past year. One CVT which is 2004 and still under battery warranty. Two 2000 cars both of which had the battery replaced under warranty in the 6 months before I bought them. I specifically looked for cars that had the battery replaced recently and found two in 6 months both of which have been amazing. The manuals are both averaging 65mpg and the CVT is at about 54mpg. Not a totally fair comparison since the manuals get more highway miles and I use the CVT more in town. When I do run the CVT on the highway is averages around 61-64mpg for a highway trip when the manuals are closer to 69-70 mpg for the same trip.

So, I would say look carefully and try to find a car with the battery replaced or factor in the cost of replacement. I paid $5k for the one manual with 100K and with new battery 3 months before I bought it. It has no major issues and other than service work has been fantastic. My sister in law has put 8K miles in 5 months and it hasn't missed a beat.

I found all the cars on Craigslist by careful daily searching and bought them all sight unseen after talking with the owners and checking service history with Honda. Have had no unpleasant surprises with any of them. My V8 cars spend most of their lives in the garage while the little ones run around all over the place! They drive just like Honda Civics. I have soundproofed one and put in a good stereo and it is a great highway cruiser.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by Bornloser

First, I have never owned a hybrid before. I am currently looking to buy my first one. I commute 150 miles a DAY to work, 6 to 7 days a week.
I am seriously thinking about a 2000-2001 Insight, planning to purchase in 2-3 weeks (tax refund). Hopefully a manual tranny (I am looking for the best MPG possible because of the long commute). It will be 95% highway miles.
I am in Arkansas, and there are not many of these out here, so probably have to buy off Ebay or out of state dealer (I have checked, there are none in local papers or at dealers here OR in Little Rock)
Since I am totally un-familiar with the Insight (except for its reputation), what should I look for? What should I ask, or check, before purchasing? Are there certain problems or functions I should check or ask about before purchasing? I think you get the idea of what information I am looking for.
Thanks in advance for any and all information.

[AbCaRed00]

Originally Posted by Bornloser

First, I have never owned a hybrid before. I am currently looking to buy my first one. I commute 150 miles a DAY to work, 6 to 7 days a week.

You're a perfect fit for the Insight and it for you as a daily driver of such distances. Re:Wt. better rear springs and shocks can be had, and the 320 lb max rating is low for fuel economy. Car's small on the outside, roomy inside, ..although power steering doesn't adjust the seats go way-back.

The water pump may weep a tiny bit, with the coolant maintaining level for a long time, but this is deemed normal in the factory book. [fwiw: with fresh coolant change my water pump weeping subsided.]
But in that same area there is a known fault in some vehicles with the steel gas line, at the bend under a bad plastic fitting at the top right of the firewall, is cracking and leaking fuel down onto the firewall. If gas smell may be evident that could be it's source.
Quirky about the car: wet seatbelts following incomplete windshield replacement and clip damage can be fixed easy with silicon sealant to plug holes.
[& nb. ' mice on board car if it's sitting disused for any time.]
Best luck!