[SinisterCRX]

Sorry if this is already somewhere on this site, I just stumbled across it about 10 minutes ago and already have about 3 posts lol! I am a 17 year old high school student, and as you can see by my name, my current car is a CRX (Si). Now, the CRX is a good car by all means, but I want/need a newer car with better MPG than the CRX could ever give me, and I've been considering buying an Insight for quite some time now. Fact is, I'm not going to college until next year, but it never hurts to plan things early, right? I want to buy an Insight because first off they remind me a lot of my CRX (and that's awesome) lol, but seriously.. The MPG is very high and I need something like this for my daily commute. Any suggestions anyone have for me, as far as model and year and such? Remember, I know nothing about Insights other than the fact that they're small, good on gas and I can get a 5 speed
Thanks for your help, if you can give any!

 

[figgy]

If you want a 5 speed you'll likely be buying used, which is fine and affordable.

I would just hunt for the lowest mile car you can find in your budget, and ignore the year. They haven't changed much from year to year, and if you can get a low mile 2000 for the same price as a high mile later year, you'll probably be much better with the lower miles and older car.

Keep your eyes peeled, and be patient for a good deal. It is good that you are looking early so you can take your time and not be rushed into buying one that is overpriced. Patience will pay off.

 

[Corey872]

The Insight-CRX transition shouldn't be too hard. I have found the Insight to be roughly comparable to my 87 CRX DX in acceleration braking and handling (before I put a B16 VTEC engine in the CRX!) The CRX seems to have more cargo room, although it may be just because it's all in one space, not split into a hatch and under floor storage like the insight. If you are solely buying an insight for gas mileage though, you may push a pencil and paper a bit and see if you really come out ahead by spending extra. Just stabing at some round #'s:

CRX Si - 30MPG * 30,000 mi/yr = 1000 gal gas

Insight - 60MPG * 30,000 mi/yr = 500 gal gas

So even if gas is $2/gallon you are saving $1000 per year. If you look hard you should be able to find a clean Insight around 40K miles for $10,000, but you'd have to drive for 10 years to offset the price. Of course there are pluses to having a newer car like greater reliability, but also negatives like higher insurance and having a car that announces "Hey, come steal me!" Then there is that whole "save the earth" thing which no one can fault you for. Either way, read like a mad-man on this site, tons of good info. If you decide to buy an insight, let us know how it goes!

 

[Rick]

There are suttle differences in the model years, but 02 and after they did some (in my opinion) significant software changes having driven a 00 01 and my 02. Not to say anything at all bad about the previous years, but they tweaked some things for the better.

Also bear in mind you may have to end up taking a trip to go get one as they are fairly scarce.

 

[Mitch]

CRXand Insight

Corey 872, I also have a 1G CRX ('84 1.3), now also with a B16A engine, and a ton of other mods.

I agree with your comparison of the stock '87 DX with the Insight. I once drove a short distance in an '84 CRX 1.5.

Another option for Sinister CRX would be to pull the Si engine/tranny, and swap out to a '96+ Civic HX engine/tranny. MPG would likely be close to 50 on the highway, but acceleration would improve with the extra hp on hand. An HX-powered CRX would be alot quicker than an Insight. One can probably find a good price for a low-mileage drivetrain from car-part.com.

 

[b1shmu63]

I have a yellow CRX SI and an Insight. The CRX is a cool car and I don't really want to part with it. The two cars were both designed for aerodynamics. Both seat 2 and are Cam back. Otherwise they are way different.

In the CRX young guys ask me if I want to sell it for 500 dollars (no way). The Insight comes across as a way expensive sprts car of some kind?

The CRX sits a little lower and is difficult to drive smoothly. Torque is peaky in the CRX but it goes like a bat out of Hell when you hit higher RPMs. Steering feels more dead on the CRX and the wheel is bigger and tilts. On the highway the CRX feels like it needs 6th and 7th gear to get the RPMs down. Exhaust noise is way louder on the CRX. The suspension is stiff to the point of being harsh. The elctric sun roof compensates a bit for the lack of AC.

The Insight is a much safer car, period. The body is more rigid and stronger and the air bags are nice. The Insight feels roomier inside and has incredible floor space and more comfortable seats. The clutch is hydraulic as opposed to cable and the gears shift more smoothly. Electric windows, mirrors, door locks, electric power steering, temperature sensing climate control, filtered cabin air, map lights, electronic displays, make the car feel really luxurious to me. At the price they are currently selling for second hand they would be a bargain even if they were not a hybrid. If you wait until gas hits 3 dollars a gallon there may not be any available.

If you can comfortably afford the Insight you will probably have fewer mechanical repairs to think about. I just replaced alternator, cat, radiator, plugs, distributor, tires, front calipers + pads, gas lines on the CRX. That will probably be a bigger factor than gas savings unless you do lots of driving.

Good hunting.

Kip

Oh yes, the gas lines rust out where they go through the floor behind the drivers seat. This is a design problem on the CRX so keep an eye on it. :wink:

 

[SinisterCRX]

MY CRX is an 1989. It handles pretty nicely, the ride can be a bit rough sometimes but other than that its nice. Maybe the prices for a 2000 will be a little lower next year when I actually need the car lol

 

[b1shmu63]

I rode motorcycles too for about 10 years. Young ladies seem to like em. Maybee it's the smell of leather. :wink: I keep my old motorcycle squirelled away where it won't kill me. After a nice old grey haired gentleman almost ran over me, I kind of lost my enthusiasm for it. Sure wish I was 17 again with an Insight and an open road. Got the Insight, now if I can just find the open road. After all.... two out of three ain't bad.