Hi there, I just got a '00 Silver 5spd with 48,000Km. I wonder if anybody want to swap it for an automatic? The car is perfect, just my wife don't drive standard and she have back problems so all the training is very painful. I live in Vancouver,BC
Swap my 5 speed for an automatic
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No one has tried it that I know, nor would I recommend trying it. It's not even just a transmission swap your implying, but rather a whole drive train swap and replacement of several computers at the least. The engine is different too. Plus, you'd have to get the new linkages properly installed for the shifter. This would include a whole new center console. Then you'd also need the proper gague cluster as well. The worst part of it would be the computers. No one here at least really knows what does exactly what. I would guess several would need replaced at least, plus I think the automatic transmission is electronically controlled as well. It's been discussed before, it would probably be cheaper to just go buy a new Insight. Especially considering last time I checked a new automatic transmission is about $2,300 I think, and thats just the transmission.
:shock:
don't tempt me! i have a '01 silver CVT, with a tad fewer miles than you (28100mi, ~45500km)
i've secretly admired the 5 speeders for their superb mileage... though i have not driven a manual transmission before (know how it works though)
we just paid ours off too
though i live in california... and i'd really like to try it out before getting serious about it.
keep us updated!
don't tempt me! i have a '01 silver CVT, with a tad fewer miles than you (28100mi, ~45500km)
i've secretly admired the 5 speeders for their superb mileage... though i have not driven a manual transmission before (know how it works though)
we just paid ours off too
though i live in california... and i'd really like to try it out before getting serious about it.
keep us updated!
Tempting you:
As far as manual transmission cars the Insight has got to be one of the easiest to drive i've come across. The only reason I would think of against getting a 5 speed is if your sitting in stop and creep traffic for a long period of time. Even then there are advantages with the 5 speed. The best part though is the increased performance you get. You can easily chirp the tires going in to 2nd. I even was able to catch rubber going in to 3rd the other day :shock: ! I didn't think it was possible, but apparently it is. Ok sorry no more tempting.
As far as manual transmission cars the Insight has got to be one of the easiest to drive i've come across. The only reason I would think of against getting a 5 speed is if your sitting in stop and creep traffic for a long period of time. Even then there are advantages with the 5 speed. The best part though is the increased performance you get. You can easily chirp the tires going in to 2nd. I even was able to catch rubber going in to 3rd the other day :shock: ! I didn't think it was possible, but apparently it is. Ok sorry no more tempting.
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618 Posts
Allnighter,
I am not sure how traffic is in your area but I would recommend the 5speed Insight for anyone who does mostly highway cruising. Nothing on the road in the US can touch it's efficiency. On the other hand if I drove in stop and go traffic most of the time I would recommend the Prius. (Don't shoot me as a trader). I think the Prius ability to run 100% electric in this situation gives it the advantage. It's a shame that GM killed the EV1. I think hybrids have got a lot more people interested in electric cars unfortunately their arn't many options for most in this area. Have fun, Rick
I am not sure how traffic is in your area but I would recommend the 5speed Insight for anyone who does mostly highway cruising. Nothing on the road in the US can touch it's efficiency. On the other hand if I drove in stop and go traffic most of the time I would recommend the Prius. (Don't shoot me as a trader). I think the Prius ability to run 100% electric in this situation gives it the advantage. It's a shame that GM killed the EV1. I think hybrids have got a lot more people interested in electric cars unfortunately their arn't many options for most in this area. Have fun, Rick
this decision is tougher now that I live closer to the city - and farther away from the traffic. the result is fewer highway miles, but less traffic as well.
of course living in SoCal, you can never completely escape traffic, but my routine (currently, will change shortly) is about 50/50 highway/city for your average day. 20 minute drive for about 20 miles
muffin:
can you post more info about it? whats your best tank of gas so far? do you mostly drive city? highway? whats the lifetime MPG?
of course living in SoCal, you can never completely escape traffic, but my routine (currently, will change shortly) is about 50/50 highway/city for your average day. 20 minute drive for about 20 miles
muffin:
can you post more info about it? whats your best tank of gas so far? do you mostly drive city? highway? whats the lifetime MPG?
Yes, I mean the whole car!!
Ok we have 3 days using the car. I got it with lifetime 4.7L/100k and now is like 5L/100k. I have not put gas in the car yet. Only city drived. The only highway we take is highway #1 from boundary road to the capilano college (check it in a map), so I guess is like 90/10 or more. 30 minute drive for 29 Km.
Allnighte, if you want to come to try the car... It's in the weast coast too!! Imagine to drive all the way from San Diego to Vancouver in your automatic and come back in the standard!! (I'm sorry to said that you have to come here, because I can't enter to the US) The '01 is tempting me too!! It have A/C ? Pls give me more info, eh? Instead to teach my wife to drive standard, maybe I can teach you (is very addictive).
Ok we have 3 days using the car. I got it with lifetime 4.7L/100k and now is like 5L/100k. I have not put gas in the car yet. Only city drived. The only highway we take is highway #1 from boundary road to the capilano college (check it in a map), so I guess is like 90/10 or more. 30 minute drive for 29 Km.
Allnighte, if you want to come to try the car... It's in the weast coast too!! Imagine to drive all the way from San Diego to Vancouver in your automatic and come back in the standard!! (I'm sorry to said that you have to come here, because I can't enter to the US) The '01 is tempting me too!! It have A/C ? Pls give me more info, eh? Instead to teach my wife to drive standard, maybe I can teach you (is very addictive).
G
Guest
·Hi Muffin:
___I know this doesn’t make any sense but there might be a problem at the border with a US/Canada purchase or trade … In the case of new vehicles, an emission certificate and the swap from metric to English units on the dash is mandatory. The Insight can do this on the fly but it isn’t as easy with a new vehicle as you might have thought. The same may apply to used vehicles as well. I would look into it for anyone willing to trade that is located in the states before hand is all.
___Good Luck and I hope you find an Insighter w/ a CVT willing to swap for your 5-speed …
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___[email:6l5zroau][email protected][/email:6l5zroau]
___I know this doesn’t make any sense but there might be a problem at the border with a US/Canada purchase or trade … In the case of new vehicles, an emission certificate and the swap from metric to English units on the dash is mandatory. The Insight can do this on the fly but it isn’t as easy with a new vehicle as you might have thought. The same may apply to used vehicles as well. I would look into it for anyone willing to trade that is located in the states before hand is all.
___Good Luck and I hope you find an Insighter w/ a CVT willing to swap for your 5-speed …
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___[email:6l5zroau][email protected][/email:6l5zroau]
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94 Posts
I'd possibly consider it, but my silver 2001 cvt has about 73k highway miles on it so that would be an issue... It's in nearly perfect condition(used a bra and seat covers from day one- I do rotate the bra on and off so the paint doesn't change) and it has a lifetime mileage of 53.1mpg so I have not driven it hard. I've also followed the maintenance schedule religiously. If I were to swap it would only be for a another silver or citrus with AC.
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94 Posts
I got the Grey insight covers here:miecz said:
http://www.wetokole.com/
They are VERY nice. Only issue is that they make your back sweat in the summer 'cause they are made of neoprene. So I keep my beads on in the summer and take them off around now. They are expensive, but very good build quality.
I bought the car bra here:
http://www.carbras.com/honda.htm
These are the best fitting bra's I've ever seen. Looks perfect. I've had other people tell me that If I leave them on too long, like throughout the whole summer, it will eventually look discolored. I usually take it off for a month every 4 months or so. I actually have to order a new one as my first one is completely worn out. Someone said their friend's car had serious problems cause he never took his off. The paint didn't look uniform. So far I can't notice any difference.
-BT
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