First time posting here, I've been looking into getting an insight for the last year or so - not many people I know, are able to provide valuable knowledge on this car, so I head off into the forum.
I currently drive a Saab 9-3 99 Manual - I like my car but the mileage is starting to worry me @ 222k of which I put 52k in the last 3 years, just worried the car won't start tomorrow, while I still can trade it in for a better car.
What I want is a Honda Insight , and I've been staring at the 2010 LX models, there are two dealerships asking $14k for 40k miles & $13.6k for 30k miles, both with clean titles. Now my supervisor has a cousin that works for Honda and can try to wiggle $17.5k for a 2011 EX model "no nav" car has taken 10k in miles in 5months.
How do these models compare "2010 LX" vs "2011 EX" , are the prices reasonable or can I still negotiate, what are some things I should look for or ask.
Have you driven an Insight? Will it fit your needs? Do you have an idea how the IMA works?
You can look online for the LX EX differences and decide if you want/need the upgrade.
10k in 5 months sounds like maybe it was on longer trips. IMHO, that could mean less wear and tear than a car that spends it's time in the city. Also, there are some of us who believe the CVT fluid and filter should be changed out regularly, even though it is not specified by Honda. A car with 30-40k might be way over due.
There's not a whole lot of things to look for that you wouldn't look for in a regular car. Carfax might be important to see if the car has IMA problems. The plastic instrument gauge covers scratch pretty easy. You might want to check brake wear. A good hybrid driver doesn't use a whole lot of brake. The black plastic strips across the roof tend to come loose and blow off. it's easy enough to glue them down, just make sure they are there. Drive a few Insights with radio and fans off and listen. Make sure the one you buy doesn't make unusual noises. But you would do that with any car, right?
I would recommend the 2011 Ex. For $3.8K you are getting 20K miles, 1 year more warranty, and the EX features, cruise, map lights, alloy wheels. The 2011 has an improved auto-stop - it stays stopped longer at lights than the 2010 which will basically restart in 15-20 seconds if the heat or AC is on, where I hear the 2011 will go 90 secs. A key question for me would be how long the cars have been on the lot, because the IMA battery degrades if left for long periods (like 3 weeks +), CarFax should tell you this. I have also read that the 2011 has some suspension improvements for a better ride.
I would recommend the 2011 Ex. For $3.8K you are getting 20K miles, 1 year more warranty, and the EX features, cruise, map lights, alloy wheels. The 2011 has an improved auto-stop - it stays stopped longer at lights than the 2010 which will basically restart in 15-20 seconds if the heat or AC is on, where I hear the 2011 will go 90 secs. A key question for me would be how long the cars have been on the lot, because the IMA battery degrades if left for long periods (like 3 weeks +), CarFax should tell you this. I have also read that the 2011 has some suspension improvements for a better ride.
Insightfulone, is that true for the length of time '12 models spend on the lot as well? If I go ahead with the purchase, should I ask the dealer how long the car has been on the lot? If it was longer than three weeks, should I ask for some kind of work from the service department (i.e., an extra battery charge or something)? Sorry if this seems like a naive question, but I am naive about this stuff! Thanks.
On page 383 of the 2010 manual is this onimous warning: "If this vehicle is unused for over one month, the service life of the 100V Nickel-Metal Hydride battery will be reduced and the battery may be permanently damaged." and preceding this on the same page about vehicles in storage: "..drive your vehicle every month for about 30 minutes. This will keep the IMA battery charged and in good condition.". They probably have some solution when initially shipped from Japan where these cars are made, because I would think it takes close to a month for this, but once they are on the lot, I expect they need to be run peroidically to keep the battery in shape, and I would worry that a dealer would know to do this.
On page 383 of the 2010 manual is this onimous warning: "If this vehicle is unused for over one month, the service life of the 100V Nickel-Metal Hydride battery will be reduced and the battery may be permanently damaged." and preceding this on the same page about vehicles in storage: "..drive your vehicle every month for about 30 minutes. This will keep the IMA battery charged and in good condition.". They probably have some solution when initially shipped from Japan where these cars are made, because I would think it takes close to a month for this, but once they are on the lot, I expect they need to be run peroidically to keep the battery in shape, and I would worry that a dealer would know to do this.
Wow, that does sound ominous! Thanks for letting me know. I would think a dealership would have records of when a given car landed on its lot. Though if all Insights have to be driven 30 minutes a month, I would think that would mean all Insights on a dealer's lot would have to be demo models, which would suck for me, because I would strongly prefer not to get a demo model. Maybe I'm extrapolating where that's not necessary or realistic.
You can call around and see when a shipment of Insights are coming in and get one that was just unloaded. Have a dealer mark one down for you, and they'll definitely be more than happy to let you know when it arrives.
That's how I got mine. It came off the truck and I was driving it off the lot within 24 hours. 1 mile on the odo, probably just getting it on and off the truck set that.
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You can call around and see when a shipment of Insights are coming in and get one that was just unloaded. Have a dealer mark one down for you, and they'll definitely be more than happy to let you know when it arrives.
That's how I got mine. It came off the truck and I was driving it off the lot within 24 hours. 1 mile on the odo, probably just getting it on and off the truck set that.
Good idea, Zwolfe! Thanks! Nice that you were driving it so soon after it came off the truck!
Man, I love buying new cars. Just wish I could do it with cash and not have payments every month.
A better way is to put enough money away every monh for a car payment and in three years you "might" have enough for a cash buy. Hard to do in these times. If you finance a vehicle you will eventually pay double what you would had payed, what with finance charges.
Willie.
That's how I bought my LRR. back in 2001
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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)
A better way is to put enough money away every monh for a car payment and in three years you "might" have enough for a cash buy. Hard to do in these times. If you finance a vehicle you will eventually pay double what you would had payed, what with finance charges.
Willie.
That's how I bought my LRR. back in 2001
True, Willie, hard to do in these times. That's great that you were able to save enough to buy the LRR in '01.
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