Why I sold my Insight and why I regret it.

[2Slow4u]

I like to switch off between the insight and my truck, the reminder that it costs 3-4x more in fuel to drive the truck makes it feel like im splurging.

I've come to the realization that the insight can only be replaced by a PHEV with some range or a BEV, but those are all too pricey for immediate future.

[theaveng]

Originally Posted by Balboa

I didn't think the car was civilized enough to be a good highway cruiser. I found the suspension jarring at times, and while the Monroe shock mod helped a little bit, it didn't really eliminate the jarring and the interior noise

I apologize in advance, but I laughed out loud when I read this. I just drove my insight 3000+ miles from L.A. to Salt Lake to Grand Rapids to Philadelphia. I thought the trip was just as comfortable as my Dodge coupe, even at 80 mph. (Both engines spin at 2900rpm at that speed.)

And you think L.A. interstates are rough? They are among the best in this country. I agree the dying battery is an annoyance but it's primarily a gasoline car and will keep running even so.

P.S. I've not had much problem over mountains. Just keep the rpms at 3000 for VTEC and there's plenty power. I've even outright modern 4 seat insights and priuses uphill.

[theaveng]

Originally Posted by Mario

I know what you mean with the hills... I was climbing a particularly long hill and the battery went flat. I had to put it in second and floor it, and I was only going 30!

Mistake. If you had shifted to 2nd or 3rd gear immediately, while the battery was full, you would have had plenty of power. I climbed over Eisenhower Pass (I70, west of denver) at 50 in 3rd gear and a mostly-full battery assisting.

BTW I've owned 3 insights so I'm slightly biased.

[richardh]

I sold my 2005 Gen1 and regreted it, so I now have a 2002 Gen1. I just added a grid charger and IMAC&C to help with the battery.

I own way far to many vehicles including an Audi A8 & 911 C2S and I still choose to drive the insight gen1 most days!

[seabag]

Originally Posted by Balboa

Hi guys, regret selling my Insight. I sold it because I didn't think the car was civilized enough to be a good highway cruiser.

I found the suspension jarring at times, and while the Monroe shock mod helped a little bit, it didn't really eliminate the jarring and the interior noise inside the cabin on these rough California LA / San Bernardino County Highways.....

The Insight also had a lack of power going up long hill stretches.

When ever I have these thoughts I think back to days of youth English sportscars, which rode hard and had marginal power, and pushing VW bus loaded with kayaks in West Virginia hills.

I take the Insight on some of our Maine backroads and never let it get above third for the sporty ride.

A turbo would be nice.

[Balboa]

Originally Posted by theaveng

I apologize in advance, but I laughed out loud when I read this. I just drove my insight 3000+ miles from L.A. to Salt Lake to Grand Rapids to Philadelphia. I thought the trip was just as comfortable as my Dodge coupe, even at 80 mph. (Both engines spin at 2900rpm at that speed.)

And you think L.A. interstates are rough? They are among the best in this country. I agree the dying battery is an annoyance but it's primarily a gasoline car and will keep running even so.

P.S. I've not had much problem over mountains. Just keep the rpms at 3000 for VTEC and there's plenty power. I've even outright modern 4 seat insights and priuses uphill.

well a dodge what? never drove a dodge myself. only dodge I would want is the old classic chargers.

I know I was running my insight as a gasoline car lol. it ran fine but it was very sluggish. you need at least 100hp to drive comfortably.

[davenm]

Originally Posted by 2Slow4u

I like to switch off between the insight and my truck, the reminder that it costs 3-4x more in fuel to drive the truck makes it feel like im splurging.

The Insight replaced the '97 Landcruiser as the daily driver about 2 months ago. I gave them both a bath today, and the LC reminded the Insight that it is still the boss of the yard. 70 mpg vs 19 mpg made the purchase of the Insight a no-brainer.

[RMasters]

I have been looking at used Insights for months now, and found most of them being junked.

Forum members should advertise their cars here first. I would feel more comfortable buying one with honestly known issues here than anywhere else.

If you are not on a forum, you most likely don't know or care about the car, the next buyer might regret it.

I looked at one 2 months ago, in Philadelphia. Had about 120,000 miles on it, 5-speed, from a college kid, junked. There were more holes in the dash for mounting "gee I don't know" than in a Swiss cheese. Fancy stereo and speakers, seats torn and dirty, door panes broken, rear panels broken, not a single part on the body outside without a serious dent. Not ding, dent!

Greetings!

[theaveng]

Originally Posted by RMasters

I would feel more comfortable buying one with honestly known issues here than anywhere else.

Most sellers aren't honest. I just bought three cars and only one was as advertised. The other two had major issues (leaking oil pan, all-but-dead battery, smoke-filled interior, burned-out brakelight (not the bulb, the whole damn light was fused)). Also I run into lousy sellers on ebay and amazon. Of all places I thought amazon would be safe, but amazon appears to protect lousy sellers rather than punish them.

For some reason sellers believe it is legal for them to not reveal major mechanical flaws about the items they sell (in fact it is illegal; it's fraud). Or just outright lie and say "this is like new" or "used but mint" when they are selling books, DVDs, or games they know are damaged (ripped-out pages, scratched discs, or broken-off connectors). Scum. You cannot trust anyone who has a motive to take your money. My philosophy when it comes to buying insights, civic hybrids, and cars in general is to not bother with any above 60,000 miles. That means being patient but eventually I'll find what I want (like the insight with only 30,000 and the plymouth caravelle with only 40,000). Fewer miles == less opportunity for the seller to damage the product.


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[Rush]

Originally Posted by RMasters

I have been looking at used Insights for months now, and found most of them being junked.

Forum members should advertise their cars here first. I would feel more comfortable buying one with honestly known issues here than anywhere else.

If you are not on a forum, you most likely don't know or care about the car, the next buyer might regret it.

I looked at one 2 months ago, in Philadelphia. Had about 120,000 miles on it, 5-speed, from a college kid, junked. There were more holes in the dash for mounting "gee I don't know" than in a Swiss cheese. Fancy stereo and speakers, seats torn and dirty, door panes broken, rear panels broken, not a single part on the body outside without a serious dent. Not ding, dent!

Greetings!

Check out Ebay, I got a notice of 3 of them this morning...

Here is one -
Honda : Insight hatchback in Honda | eBay Motors