[Randy_Random]

Hello friends! I wanted to talk about the "adventure" I have had trying to buy a gen 1.


I have wanted a gen one for quite awhile, but having a car has always been just out of reach. Now that I have begun my working career I can afford to buy an Insight. But for the last 9 months or so every time I get close to finding any operable example it does not work out. I have had one no show on craigslist. The second one the car seller assured me was working just fine, everything looked great. But then refused to meet or sell me the car. His Facebook ad is still up and I just don't understand what's going on. I'm in North Carolina and it seems that finding an East coast insight is quite the challenge. I know only 17,000 were made there's probably closer to 10,000 on the road and not all of those are in the United States. But I look forward to finding one. I've been following the progress on the lithium conversion thread and it's really promising. I'm an electronics hobbyist myself and was an intern at a battery remanufacturer for the summer. I won't give up my quest looking for an insight, it's just too cool to ignore.

Any advice or encouragement means the world to me, thank you.

 

[Ecky]

I bought mine sight unseen a thousand miles away, 8 years ago. Probably the best purchase I ever made. The car was sitting on a small used car lot in South Carolina. They just couldn't unload it because it wasn't a truck or SUV.

 

[olrowdy01]

Welcome to the forum!

Hello friends! I wanted to talk about the "adventure" I have had trying to buy a gen 1.
[snip]

Any advice or encouragement means the world to me, thank you.

Best advice I can give is, don't give up, keep looking.

It sounds like you were seeing bogus ads for Insights for sale. (Beware of the scammers!.)

There is a section of the forum that has Insight related items for sale that you can monitor (including good running G1 cars). G1s for sale are frequently mentioned in this section of the forum

If you want max mpg you need to look for a manual xmission car.

Modify your profile to include your approximate location and you may find an Insight for sale from someone near you.

There is a post on the forum (maybe someone that knows the link will post it) that outlines what to look for when considering buying a G1 Insight. I have an article on my website what to look for if considering a manual transmission G1 car. You can see the link to my website by clicking on the "CRX" area directly below this post.

 

[EricTheWood]

I too bought mine sight unseen by searching Craigslist’s in regions nationwide. Found it in Denver on line while in Europe. Spoke extensively with the seller to establish credibility. Did the deal over the phone and thru email before coming home. The seller arranged delivery by an independent fo $600. The car was delivered to my house in Portland Or. three days after I got home. It was very much as advertised. Both luck and perseverance and insight central’s guidelines for G1 buyers helped make this work. Best of luck.

 

[kickstop.5]

I have a citrus for $2500. Really great runner . Located in Minneapolis

 

[Dave Baz]

There is a red one on Autotrader location is Lakeland FL. Careful though, for some reason they only show the driver side exterior.

 

[Dave Baz]

I bought my second y2k mt Insight on Craiglist. Flew to Chicago, the seller picked me up at the airport, signed the title and then drove it home to PA. Be patient.

 

[Randy_Random]

I sat in a gen 1 today. Took it for a test drive it was cool had tons of small issues i did not care about and 6 codes. With a byapssed IMA. It was shaking kinda hard. I hope i dont roll over in my grave for walking away.

 

[Joule]

I've got one cheap in NJ, but has issues. PM me for details. The body is really nice but for roof paint. Too nice to crush. Silver '01 (I believe). 265K miles. IMA shot, but I have a bunch of sticks and would arrange a working battery for an interested purchaser.

 

[Srg611]

Hello friends! I wanted to talk about the "adventure" I have had trying to buy a gen 1.


I have wanted a gen one for quite awhile, but having a car has always been just out of reach. Now that I have begun my working career I can afford to buy an Insight. But for the last 9 months or so every time I get close to finding any operable example it does not work out. I have had one no show on craigslist. The second one the car seller assured me was working just fine, everything looked great. But then refused to meet or sell me the car. His Facebook ad is still up and I just don't understand what's going on. I'm in North Carolina and it seems that finding an East coast insight is quite the challenge. I know only 17,000 were made there's probably closer to 10,000 on the road and not all of those are in the United States. But I look forward to finding one. I've been following the progress on the lithium conversion thread and it's really promising. I'm an electronics hobbyist myself and was an intern at a battery remanufacturer for the summer. I won't give up my quest looking for an insight, it's just too cool to ignore.

Any advice or encouragement means the world to me, thank you.

I am considering selling my red 2000 Honda Insight. I purchased it new in 12/27/99, it’s vin is 000045 and it is one of 17 sold in the USA in 1999. It has no modifications from the original. It has not been in an accident. It has just under 109,000 mikes on it. It runs great. I replaced the IMA battery in 2016 and the starter battery a couple of months ago. I am looking into selling it because it sits in the garage most of the time, I take it out for a run every other month or so. I am getting older and with my arthritis it is hard to get in and out of. I will not sell it to anyone who wants it for parts. I think if it more as a collector’s car. Are you interested in anything like this?

 

[Joule]

And you are located where exactly?

 

[Srg611]

I am considering selling my red 2000 Honda Insight. I purchased it new in 12/27/99, it’s vin is 000045 and it is one of 17 sold in the USA in 1999. It has no modifications from the original. It has not been in an accident. It has just under 109,000 mikes on it. It runs great. I replaced the IMA battery in 2016 and the starter battery a couple of months ago. I am looking into selling it because it sits in the garage most of the time, I take it out for a run every other month or so. I am getting older and with my arthritis it is hard to get in and out of. I will not sell it to anyone who wants it for parts. I think if it more as a collector’s car. Are you interested in anything like this?

i am in Salem, Oregon. Are you interested in it as more than parts?

 

[jime]

This thread is a excellent reference for checking out older examples of the Gen1 Insight;

G1 Buyers Tips

This is not an original work; it is a compilation of ideas and comments. With the addition of further comments this can become the reference we can link for the potential 'new' buyer. " Buying a used 2000-2006 Honda Insight: What problems to watch for." Frequently asked and often replied to...

www.insightcentral.net

Remember that only about 14,000 of these cars were imported, most 20 years ago. Good examples are becoming fairly rare. If I were to make a guess, there are probably only 5000-7000 examples in "driveable" condition. Even fewer in really decent condition, so you need to study the above thread to become informed before putting money on the table.

The most troubling problem is probably the hybrid battery. It is unlikely you will find any example with a good/excellent hybrid battery. There are various approaches, after market batteries and bypassing the battery. Just be a wise and patient shopper

 

[Joule]

Wrong coast for me.

 

[atikovi]

What is your budget? You won't find a full sorted example for $2,000 or $3,000.

 

[Randy_Random]

Im in the 1500-3500 range. I dont expect a working IMA.

 

[Randy_Random]

Update: i would like some opinions on an insight i found it has headliner, trim, paint, motor shakes, a few codes and an xmass tree of warning lights. 210k miles is 1600$ a budget insight price for something that will drive home?

 

[Randy_Random]

Update: i would like some opinions on an insight i found it has headliner, trim, paint, motor shakes, a few codes and an xmass tree of warning lights. 210k miles is 1600$ a budget insight price for something that will drive home?

PO 0134 0128 0420 1648

 

[Randy_Random]

i am in Salem, Oregon. Are you interested in it as more than parts?

Yea i want a project/commuter

 

[Rainsux]

I have one for you in Albuquerque.

Sam