Hello all, I've recently decided to move on up in the high mpg category by selling my Honda Civic VX and getting a Honda Insight. I've been doing a lot of research on the common problems that come up with this model and keeping an eye on the classifieds to try and get a good deal. This one came up in one of my first searches and has been sitting there for a while.
a 2006 MT with 29k miles and a salvage title and a bit of work to get it back into good shape. I restore classic cars for a living, so the body work doesn't turn me off, and I've had enough experience with salvage vehicles to know most of the things to look for underneath the sheet metal on a regular car that's been totaled. I think one thing specific to Insights that I need to find out from the seller is how long the car has been sitting without being driven around resulting in potential battery malfunctions. So I'm posting here to ask what else you guys think I should check into, and even though I think he's asking quite a bit for the car and I have my own idea for what it's worth, what would you pay for this?
Thanks in advance for all opinions! Truly appreciated.
Cracked windshield, miscolored door and other pieces, and missing paint? I know you said you don't mind body work, but $8k for that doesn't seem like a good deal to me at all.
Low-mileage Insights actually worry me a bit because the battery might be in a sorry condition after sitting so long. I'm not sure how to recondition batteries that have been left sitting, but I'm certain others here do.
Overall, I certainly wouldn't pay that much. Is that the only Insight you can find? I kept looking for a couple months before one came along that I decided to buy (2000, 127k, $6500). There were some cheaper CVTs, but I wanted the manual. You might want to wait a bit, though, and see what else comes up.
Car has a lot going for it: '06, low miles, nice clean interior etc.
If battery is healthy, or you think it can be reconditioned, AND you don't mind the adverse title history, and the "frame" is solid, I think it could be a good deal if you can get the price right.
All easy fixes. Since airbag didn't deploy, hopefully it was not a huge impact but more of a scrape that did the damage. I know a lot of people are scared away from cars with damage history, but even CarMax and other reputable dealers resell repaired cars. I think a lot of insurance companies just write off damaged vehicles as "totaled" because of the extensive labor costs to repair cars anymore. Isn't that what generates states to mark titles as "salvage"?
As far as price, I have seen '06s with low mileage go for $10,000, so I would try to get it for somewhat less than $8k to account for repairs, paint and depreciated value.
But be aware, Honda may not honor the battery warranty if car has a salvage history.
__________________ Silver 2001 Insight 5spd - #0160
264+K miles
(Has some bruises, needs some stuff...but I still love it.) Citrus w/ A/C - #2083
270+K miles
(Still needs some stuff...but I already love it.)
This car seems very expensive for a salvage title in a half assembled state...
it is an aluminum body so if there is some structural damage on the body , that will stay..
it is a low miles vehicle but that is not an excuse for the high price.
with the insight G1 100k- 150k is still young .... you can expect the engine to run for another couple of hundred thousand miles with no major issues. they have a timing chain , so no need to worry about a timing belt change...
The advise from Mario seems quite good , check your other options before committing to this one... I would check Auto trader , Craigslist , oodle.com , still think that for 6k you can buy a car in a decent shape and mileage that has no accidents and can be driven home...
$8000 for that?..
Check out ebay. There's usually a handful that could be had for about $5000.
That thing looks pretty hacked.
The only positive about this car is that a battery swap out might be covered by Honda, unless it's been in an accident. Then it's discretionary on their judgement. It'll most likely need one within a year or 2.
I bought an '03 MT in 2010 with 51,000 miles on it. I paid $7900 but the body was a 9 out of 10. It needed a new IMA battery at 60,000 approx and Honda paid for it. It also had/has a salvaged title because it was stolen at one point, then recovered later and auctioned. They almost didn't replace the IMA battery because of the salvaged title situation but changed their minds after seeing the outstanding overall condition of the car.
I never regretted it. The car is a gem.
I don't think this guy seriously expects to get what he's asking. Edmunds listed the car in the worst condition (doesn't go so low to quote for salvage vehicles) as $7k in his area. I was thinking about badgering him to let it go for $5k at most. Otherwise I'm willing to happily drive my Civic VX until a better deal comes along. I was mainly attracted to this car for the low mileage, as it would have less long term wear and tear in the form of suspension, interior, and transmission use. Good point on the warranty info for the battery, I'll have to check into that. Regardless, most of the other Insights I've seen in the area are already outside their battery warranty period.
__________________ Silver 2001 Insight 5spd - #0160
264+K miles
(Has some bruises, needs some stuff...but I still love it.) Citrus w/ A/C - #2083
270+K miles
(Still needs some stuff...but I already love it.)
and a nice Red one at a dealer. There was a low mileage silver CVT in Boise last month for about $8000 as well.
My point exactly: the silver 2000 in your link with 72,000 miles has a REBUILT TITLE! For $6000. Hardly a better deal. 2000 Honda Insight low mileage OBO
__________________ Silver 2001 Insight 5spd - #0160
264+K miles
(Has some bruises, needs some stuff...but I still love it.) Citrus w/ A/C - #2083
270+K miles
(Still needs some stuff...but I already love it.)
I love the insights but if I had to pay 16k would rather go with a CR-z, it is steel bodied and inferior in mileage efficiency to the G1 , but would be brand new and has the possibility of a back seat. - 20k...
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