Pros & cons of purchasing an "old" new Insight

[quadna71]

First post - excited about getting a new Insight! I'm quickly learning how tough it can be finding one that you want with the right options, color, etc.

After coming up empty in our search for a 2013, we finally found a new 2012 that meets all of our options list. It's got 141 miles on it so still technically "new" but it has a build date of late February 2012 and arrived on the lot in April. So basically it has had 141 miles put on over the course of the last 7 months. Is that a bad thing? We have a fear that an Insight sitting on the lot forever may possibly have battery problems down the road - is that valid?

Secondly, we read somewhere that there were some mid-year changes on the 2012. What sort of changes were there and when about did they occur?

Sorry for a ton of questions right from the start, but my wife and I are excited about soon getting a new Insight. We commute around 135 miles a day for work and the mileage we've been seeing on this forum may be just the ticket!

Thanks

[Rush]

For much better mileage get the Gen 1 Insight! And it is a much more fun car to drive.

[quadna71]

Thanks for your perspective - the Gen 1 definitely gets great gas mileage. But seeing how we spend a solid 3 hours/day behind the wheel the need for creature comforts also come into play. Bluetooth, nav, backup cam, peace of mind of warranty, etc.

[insightfulone]

From the vehicle storage section of the 2010 manual come these ominous words:

"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." (Page 383)

It recommends driving it for 30 minutes every month. 141 miles does not sound like this one done. Since Delaware is not a CARB state, your battery warranty is 8yr, 80K - it would by 10yr 150K if your dealer was in NJ. If you bring this issue to the attention of the dealer perhaps you can negotiate for a CARB warranty. You can get a copy of the manual online and decide for yourself.

[quadna71]

Thanks for that info. I think we're going to pass on it just to be safe. How about the 45 day transfer from the factory to dealer? Sucks that the first start in life is a negative one for the battery...

Time to start looking for an EX right off the boat.

On a side note, the dealer was in Maryland and I "believe" that they are a CARB state. Delaware's written code online states they will become a CARB start stating in the year 2014.

All very useful information - thanks again for posting it!

[aguila9]

The best answer is the one the dealer can give you. Has the car been routinely turned on while at the dealership/lot? ALL mechanics and maintenance know about maintenance required on any of their car on lot, especially hybrids and those with special batteries.

Usually, EVERY car on lot is turned on to maintain car batteries; Doors and latches are opened and lubricated to prevent sticking; etc. Moreover, cars are routinely moved around the lot for display and to wash/polish/detail. And this is just on conventional battery cars. (That's why it's almost impossible to buy a "0 miles new car"

So it's a given that the Insight in question has been routinely turned on and moved. WHAT YOU NEED to do is ask if extra care was taken on the Insight because of the battery needs. Again, it highly likely that it was.

I just bought a Black 2013 EX in Northern CA, it arrived at the Oakland port in the final week of October. Bought it on the 19th of Nov with 25 miles already on it.

[quadna71]

25 miles on it in a month...to me, that would seem more indicative of test drives and not moving around the lot. Congrats on the new Insight...hopefully we'll be in the same position soon enough.

[aguila9]

Forgot to mention. About 18mi were made in driving the car from one dealership (Redwood City) to the place where I bought it (South San Jose)...

[quadna71]

Ah, that sounds about right then. Even a brand new car has 6-7 miles on it when first unrolling at the lot. At least that's been my experience.

We found a dealer in PA that will be getting a Milano Red EX delivered around the 17th of December. The plan is to stop in this next weekend and put our names down for it. Nav would've been nice but getting a red EX has been challenging enough. The only other alternative would be to order one and wait for it...but we're under a slight time crunch. I nailed a deer with our '07 Civic a week or so ago and are doing our long commute in a Jeep for the time being. Needless to say it doesn't get near the mileage the Civic did...

[Rush]

I guess besides the back up cam, you need to get a deer cam