[No. 166]

From this moment on it will be 2 days left for me with no. 166. (my nick' was the chassis-number of my Insight: Number 166 of model year 2000)

I've been trying to get a good price for it at the local Honda dealers but it seemed to be easier to sell them a Lada/Jugo. The prices offered for my Insight (2000 model/ 150.000kms) were absolutely dismal:
-2000€ for a part exchange 2005 Accord Diesel.
-3500€ for a part exchange 2006 ciVic Hybrid.

One time the Honda dealer even mentioned a blown head-gasket on my car (which was obviously ok) just to keep the price down.



I bought myself a top-of-the-range 2002 Opel Omega 2.2 DTi (120 hp Diesel), which for the Americans, is basically a Cadillac Catera or a Holden Commodore for you Aussies out there. I shall pick it up on Thursday afternoon. I got the best price there (4700€), not even a brand-dealership....
http://mobile.de/SID7dgjQwwO06eZhrNZYJ. ... 202286990&

A very sad ex-honda, ex-insight driver.

 

[Guillermo]

Car Dealerships want to sell cars not trade them.
That's why it's always better to sell privately (if you don't mind the extra effort).

 

[No. 166]

This time tomorrow I shall be the owner of aforementioned car.

Strange feeling after clearing out the little hybrid, preparing it for the hand-over.....sadness has actually come over me.

How was the wording in the 1998 GM EV 1 brochure:
" Don't worry, the stares will stop someday .... But for now it's just you and it."
From tomorrow on the stares WILL stop. No more questions at fuel-stops and so-on ....

So bloody sad, I would have never believed !


Edit: I just noticed, tomorrow is the 13th. Hope it's not a bad omen. :roll:

 

[Rick]

Funny you should mention the EV1 quote as I happen to have that brochure right here.

"Don't worry, the stares will stop. Someday.

When everyone, or most, anyway, has one.
And the roads are once again flooded by a sea of sameness.
But for now, it's just you and it.
Enjoy the ride. In the electric car." (Ok sort of)

Sad to see you go, stop back by from time to time and say hi.

 

[b1shmu63]

Thank you for your posts from Germany, which have helped to give this site international insight I do hope you will continue to visit here. Guess I'll have to google to find out about the "prisoner island".

Got it, "Icehouse"

 

[Jim]

tried your link hoping to get a look at your new ride (although I don't think much of the Catera). All I got was this: Der von Ihnen gesuchte Datensatz existiert nicht mehr.

Das Fahrzeug wurde bereits aus der Datenbank gelöscht.

 

[JeffKinTN]

tried your link hoping to get a look at your new ride (although I don't think much of the Catera). All I got was this: Der von Ihnen gesuchte Datensatz existiert nicht mehr.

Das Fahrzeug wurde bereits aus der Datenbank gelöscht.

Looked for data record does not exist to them any longer. The vehicle was already deleted from the data base.

Apparently the page is gone.

 

[No. 166]

Yeah. It's gone because the car is no longer for sale.
It's mine now.

A little story whilst I was getting out of my car to pick up the new one: There was this new Prius II (quite rare over here) in the traffic-jam passing by. Looking at my car the driver even smiled as if he knew about the Insight.
The very last time I get out of my car I get looks. And then from another RARE hybrid-driver ! What a coincidence....

I'll get over the loss, take some time.


Thanks for all the information and the good times shared here. I've been visiting this page for over 6 years now and even driving something else won't put me off it. My postings will be a bit rarer though.


Thank you.

 

[russ22k]

One leaves another steps forward

The last few summers, here in Central Oregon, I've ridden my motorcycle, trying to cut down on my fuel cost, (but I also love the ride). However, summers here are brief, and I've dreamed of fuel economy, but also being warm. I've seen the insights and thought it might be nice to own one. The influx of out of state money has driven real estate prices through the roof here. Consequently, I've moved 80 miles away to a more realistic economic environment. So, I'm left with a 160 mile commute 3 days a week. Insult to injury, gas prices have now hit the $3 mark. I'm now the way proud owner of a 2006, silver 5 spd! I love it, but my MPG are 62 mpg city/highway. Am I doing something wrong? Do you think I might expect my mileage to increase?
Russ

 

[b1shmu63]

Russ, if the car is new it will still be in the process of breaking in. You will also have to learn how to drive the Insight for efficiency to get the best mileage. That said there are a couple of tips such as increasing the tire pressure and switching to synthetic AFTER the car is broken in, that will help regardless of your driving style. Since your commute is long, you do have a chance to be a hypermiler, but if you are driving at higher speeds to get home faster, you will have to be satisfied with whatever you get. It will still be way better than a typical car.

 

[Richard]

Hi Kip,

Please clarify . . . when is an Insight considered "broken in?" I have my first oil change scheduled for 5,000 mi. (per the Honda Dealer), and I was going to change to synthetic oil at that time.

But now I wonder . . . Is that too soon? Or maybe too late? I have a 2006 CVT with just over 3,500 mi. on it at this time. Pls. advise!

Best Regs,
Rick

 

[Insightful Trekker]

Hi Richard,

See:

3/2/06
General Discussion (this forum)
newbie saying hi to the group
http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/vie ... php?t=4373

HTH!