[MikeF]

I'm new to the forum, and strongly considering buying a used Insight. I live in the Boston area, and although you can survive without A/C here, you're a lot more comfortable if you have it.

A silver '02 Insight with 12K miles on it is available at a Honda dealer, but it doesn't have A/C. I spoke with the salesman, and he assured me that they could install A/C, "just like from the factory."

Hmm. It isn't always that easy. Does anyone know if it's possible for a dealer to install A/C and have it fit/work just like a factory installation? Or is he really planning to stick in some sort of hokey aftermarket product that ruins the mileage and doesn't work anyway?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts,

Mike

 

[Delta Flyer]

If I were in that situation, I'd check my car's performance before the A/C was installed. After it was installed, I'd compare the performance to assure myself the job was done right. Wish I had more expertese.

The A/C is also useful to defrost the windshield, even in freezing weather.

 

[nnielsen]

a/c

until just a few years ago, all hondas had the a/c installed at the dealer, none were factory installed.

 

[Tim Maddux]

I was in the MA area until very recently. I can't fathom being in Boston without A/C.

My 2000 (and all 2000's) had dealer-installed climate control. It's the same climate control system as the factory-installed ones. I have had only 1 problem (dealer forgot to connect A/C drain tube) that appeared within a few minutes of driving. Otherwise no problems.

Go for it.

 

[MikeF]

Great advice - I love these forums. Thanks for letting me know how it works - I'll go for it and let you know.

Now, if it were only red... <grin>

Mike

 

[Rick]

My car came with dealer installed AC, it works just fine. A word of advice though. Buy the AC kit off of one of the online sites that sell genuine Honda parts. Then have your local dealership install it. This way you save some money and still get the full Honda warranty on it.

 

[MikeF]

Good suggestion, thanks. Since I'm new to the Honda world, could you post some URLs of those websites?

Thanks,
MF

 

[Delta Flyer]

I'm suprised that the Honda A/C isn't factory-installed. Honda was one of the first to make the car idle faster when the A/C engages.

 

[Rick]

AC Kit's MSRP is $1199

http://www.handa-accessories.com/insight.html Has it for $975

http://www.partscheap.com/insightinterior01.htm Has it for $936

http://www.hparts.com/part_lookup.php3?partno=80000-S3Y-A02&submit2.x=70&submit2.y=15 Here's the direct URL to it on Hparts.com, They sell it for $928.20

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/catdisplay.jsp Here is a very useful site in general. More specifically the AC kit is on this page http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com...y3=3DR+DX&catcgry4=KA5MT&catcgry5=A/C+++++KIT For $948.72

And I've ran out of pages to list. So anyways you can save yourself about $300 by going this route.

 

[MikeF]

That's great - and you did a lot of the research for me. I really appreciate it. I'll dig through the sites myself before I start negotiating.

Thanks again!

Yours,
Mike

 

[Rick]

Actually I already had them all bookmarked. :roll: