Greetings! As many of you know, I sold my 2002 5 spd after putting 53,00 miles on it. I bought my new 2003 in early May, and just turned 3,000 miles. My LMPG is 84.6 (not as good as Rick Reese) and I really enjoy driving it. I am keeping this car show quality clean. I routinely put it up on 4 jack stands, remove all 4 wheels, and wax the back side of the wheels. I then clean the whole wheel well area and brake assembly. Then I lie on my back and wipe down the entire underside of the car. You see, every weekend I have been attending various car shows. It usually costs 15$ for the "show & shine". I tape to the side windows a list I made of the car's technical features and performance. These shows are full of hot rods and beautiful muscle cars; I am the ONLY Insight! Truly it is amazing; this car attracts so much attention!! No kidding, many times there is a crowd of people around my car; way more than the other cars. I just stand there and answer questions and meet many nice people. I have done 3 minor mods to the car, and it DOES make a difference cosmetically. The car looks better. 1) removed the right side mirror and rear wiper. 2) removed the front hood H emblem & rear decals. 3) had the windows tinted (the rear small glass is limo dark) Removing the hood H emblem makes the front look extremely clean! Also, even in pouring rain I have NEVER used the rear wiper; with Rain X applied, the water just blows off as you drive. I removed the 4 pound wiper motor also. There is a stainless steel plug (honda part from a '96 Civic) that you put in the hole. Anyway, I'm having a blast, as I never knew this car would receive so much attention at shows. I have even won 2 awards! My next show is Sat, June 21 in Richland, WA. Later, Billy
car shows!
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Yes, I concur, we need pictures.
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I'm always showing my car. I believe that it has seen 3 shows in the last week.
However, I am a little disturbed at the removal of your passenger mirror...Number one, it's probably illegal. Number two, it's a safety concern, especially in a vehicle like the Insight that has some...interesting...blind spots.
However, I am a little disturbed at the removal of your passenger mirror...Number one, it's probably illegal. Number two, it's a safety concern, especially in a vehicle like the Insight that has some...interesting...blind spots.
re: car shows
1) To remove the H hood emblem, sit in a chair and heat the area with a hair dryer. Use a length of dental floss to carefully saw back & forth under the emblem. The adhesive will soon detach; pull the emblem away. Next, remove the glue residue with mild solvent or degreaser, then wax and buff the whole area. It makes the front look SO much cleaner and very sleek. 2) In my state left side only mirror is allowed as long as you don't wear headphones. I do freeway driving only; I am accustomed to using the rear view mirror; my previous 3 cars never had a right side mirror. Later, Billy......
1) To remove the H hood emblem, sit in a chair and heat the area with a hair dryer. Use a length of dental floss to carefully saw back & forth under the emblem. The adhesive will soon detach; pull the emblem away. Next, remove the glue residue with mild solvent or degreaser, then wax and buff the whole area. It makes the front look SO much cleaner and very sleek. 2) In my state left side only mirror is allowed as long as you don't wear headphones. I do freeway driving only; I am accustomed to using the rear view mirror; my previous 3 cars never had a right side mirror. Later, Billy......
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My '78 RX-7 beater didn't have a right mirror, and while I was used to it, it was damn annoying and dangerous. 
Major blind spots, in about the same place as the Insight.
Major blind spots, in about the same place as the Insight.There's an article somewhere on the web about a guy who removed both mirrors, and replaced them with miniature CCD cameras and display screens. Don't know if it'd be legal, but it could cut out the blind spots.
And if you added a microprocessor, you could do some image processing, and maybe do things like eliminating headlight glare at night.
And if you added a microprocessor, you could do some image processing, and maybe do things like eliminating headlight glare at night.
re: car shows
Update: The car show in Richland, WA was huge! Over 850 antiques, customs, and muscle cars. I was parked on the grass between a gorgeous '35 Ford custom coupe (420 horsepower) and a yellow 1970 Plymouth Superbird with a 'hemi and the large rear wing. My silver 5-spd was waxed & buffed to perfection and with the dark tinted glass and cleaned-up look, no apologies were necessary. Soon the public was swarming and milling among the vehicles. My compatriots to the left and right were amazed or disconcerted as my rig received most of the attention. My spec sheets taped to the windows kept the silly questions to a minimum, but there is nonetheless plenty of misconceptions about the technology. As I talked with MANY nice people, I emphasised this is NOT an "electric car", but a gas engine car with a slight electric assist. I explained how the aerodynamics of the body (and underside), lightweight materials, lean-burn catalyst, and special tires are primary reasons for highway fuel economy.
Near the end of the day the grass around my car was worn thin and yellow. I even met a lovely 34 yr old blonde who wants to go on a date and ride in my "spaceship car." ! Later, Billy
Update: The car show in Richland, WA was huge! Over 850 antiques, customs, and muscle cars. I was parked on the grass between a gorgeous '35 Ford custom coupe (420 horsepower) and a yellow 1970 Plymouth Superbird with a 'hemi and the large rear wing. My silver 5-spd was waxed & buffed to perfection and with the dark tinted glass and cleaned-up look, no apologies were necessary. Soon the public was swarming and milling among the vehicles. My compatriots to the left and right were amazed or disconcerted as my rig received most of the attention. My spec sheets taped to the windows kept the silly questions to a minimum, but there is nonetheless plenty of misconceptions about the technology. As I talked with MANY nice people, I emphasised this is NOT an "electric car", but a gas engine car with a slight electric assist. I explained how the aerodynamics of the body (and underside), lightweight materials, lean-burn catalyst, and special tires are primary reasons for highway fuel economy.
Near the end of the day the grass around my car was worn thin and yellow. I even met a lovely 34 yr old blonde who wants to go on a date and ride in my "spaceship car." ! Later, Billy
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Congratulations on a successful show. Presumably you are going to take this lovely blonde to heaven and back (in your spaceship car!) :wink:
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