I got my Insight last week, it's both better and worse than I was expecting. The engine is pretty rough at low rpm and high loads, I guess 3 unbalanced cylinders are going to vibrate some. The computer is not so smart or smooth about assist vs. charging at low throttle settings, maybe a MIMA down the road. I'm not thrilled with the gearing (could use a 6-speed and a more realistic 1st gear) and the locks are driving me nuts. Also the wasted space in back under the floor in the back is really annoying.
On the other hand, the handling is much better than I expected, the tramlining isn't bad and the damping is very good for the stiff suspension. I'm thinking about autocrossing it when I get home, that should be a hoot. The acceleration is more than adequate and the engine is quite smooth at higher revs and lighter loads, which unfortunately can't be good for mileage. I even passed a minivan on a twisty two-lane road.
It has one problem that concerns me. There's sometimes a loud click when I'm shifting from 1st to 2nd, as 1st is disengaging. The sound comes through the windows more than through the body so it sounds like something underneath the car. It's not in the gears themselves, it runs smoothly and silently once in gear. It only seems to affect the 1-2 shift. Any ideas to help ease my mind?
It was short the owner's manual, the remote, and some keys so I'd like to ask a couple of questions about that if I may.
1. Can I turn off or disable the autolocking? With no remote, having to unlock 3 different doors (whose locks turn in different directions than my other car) is costing me my shaky grip on sanity. The doors often lock themselves when I have the windows rolled down and I just reach through and push the inside "red" door button, which is a really stupid thing to have to do.
2. I understand all the Insights have remote entry, right? I can just order a keyfob from thepartsyouneed or whoever and it should work after I program it? Has anybody seen any really small ones built into keys? I hate blobs of stuff in my pockets.
3. I have only one transponder key, do I have to go to the dealer to get a spare or are there locksmiths that can do it?
I've also got a check engine light that has to be looked into, heck.
On the other hand, the handling is much better than I expected, the tramlining isn't bad and the damping is very good for the stiff suspension. I'm thinking about autocrossing it when I get home, that should be a hoot. The acceleration is more than adequate and the engine is quite smooth at higher revs and lighter loads, which unfortunately can't be good for mileage. I even passed a minivan on a twisty two-lane road.
It has one problem that concerns me. There's sometimes a loud click when I'm shifting from 1st to 2nd, as 1st is disengaging. The sound comes through the windows more than through the body so it sounds like something underneath the car. It's not in the gears themselves, it runs smoothly and silently once in gear. It only seems to affect the 1-2 shift. Any ideas to help ease my mind?
It was short the owner's manual, the remote, and some keys so I'd like to ask a couple of questions about that if I may.
1. Can I turn off or disable the autolocking? With no remote, having to unlock 3 different doors (whose locks turn in different directions than my other car) is costing me my shaky grip on sanity. The doors often lock themselves when I have the windows rolled down and I just reach through and push the inside "red" door button, which is a really stupid thing to have to do.
2. I understand all the Insights have remote entry, right? I can just order a keyfob from thepartsyouneed or whoever and it should work after I program it? Has anybody seen any really small ones built into keys? I hate blobs of stuff in my pockets.
3. I have only one transponder key, do I have to go to the dealer to get a spare or are there locksmiths that can do it?
I've also got a check engine light that has to be looked into, heck.
