Buying a used 2000-2006 Honda Insight: What problems to watch for

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by silverinsight2

Cheaper hatch struts ARE available.

Where? I need to replace mine.

[3-Wheeler]

Before buying my Insight, I spent about six months researching battery issues with the car.

That said, I took the time to get a proper trickle charge setup in the car, and I now charge the battery nightly before heading off to work.

Take a look at the link below for details...

https://picasaweb.google.com/threewh...rickleCharging

After doing this, and starting to trickle charge nightly, the battery is vastly stronger, especially after the first 20 cycles or so.

I am finding that the battery likes ambient temperatures below 70F or so too.

Jim.

[silverinsight2]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

Where? I need to replace mine.

A few links...more available at Insightcentral

Brand New Lift Supports for your Insight Hatch - Insight Central: Honda Insight Forum

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

[Cd]

I have found two Insights for sale at a dealer around 75 miles from where I live now.
Both will most likely have a dead IMA battery - one supposedly has a ' fresh ' battery.
Besides a receipt from Honda on battery replacement, how can I tell if the battery has been replaced under warranty ?
One of the cars is more desirable to me simply because of the color : red versus the all too common silver.
This particular car red car has a stone dead battery pack. From what I have read, I should flip the main power switch to the battery pack to " off " if I plan to drive the car home.
I saw mention in one of the battery refurbish threads here of also cutting the wires to the pack if I plan to drive it for an extended drive.
That seems rather drastic , but will I damage the pack if I simply flip it to off and drive that way ?

Also, what can be expected in a car with a dead pack ? What dash lights normally come on and for how long ?

With a dead pack , what other things get broken ? Do you still get a working trip computer , tach etc
Im assuming the charge lights go nonfunctional.

How does the car behave . There is no stop start function so I was wondering if the car runs like a normal car at stoplights or if it trips over itself sometimes. I have read the car becomes extremely sluggish with no pack. How sluggish are we talking here ?

[Cd]

Bump

[Cd]

Bumpety bump ( please ? )

My Civic is having random electrical problems and I'm considering an Insight as a replacement.

[Cd]

How hard is it to repair aluminum body panels like the insight has ( versus steel ) ?
What all is steel on the car ?

[Ladogaboy]

Originally Posted by Cd

How hard is it to repair aluminum body panels like the insight has ( versus steel ) ?
What all is steel on the car ?

My guess is that they are probably on par... in some ways, aluminum might be easier to repair. Aluminum would definitely be more expensive to replace, though. The good thing is, it won't start to rust through chipped paint/exposure to the air.

[silverinsight2]

Originally Posted by Cd

Besides a receipt from Honda on battery replacement, how can I tell if the battery has been replaced under warranty ?

Run the vin thru a Honda dealer

This particular car red car has a stone dead battery pack. From what I have read, I should flip the main power switch to the battery pack to " off " if I plan to drive the car home.
I saw mention in one of the battery refurbish threads here of also cutting the wires to the pack if I plan to drive it for an extended drive.
That seems rather drastic , but will I damage the pack if I simply flip it to off and drive that way ?

CUT NOTHING...Turn the rear breaker switch off, remove the big battery lid ( T30 and 10mm... DANGER, HIGH VOLTAGE), remove the three multi pin connectors on the BCM module (top of battery, drivers side). The car will start and run on 12volt battery.
The 12v bat will not charge <1200; >4000rpm if dashboard red battery icon comes on it is not charging wait 30 seconds and the red light goes out and charging resumes. Don't drive extended distances w the red charging light on

Also, what can be expected in a car with a dead pack ? What dash lights normally come on and for how long ?

Ima and check engine light, forever

With a dead pack , what other things get broken ? Do you still get a working trip computer , tach etc

Yes & yes

Im assuming the charge lights go nonfunctional.

see above

How does the car behave

. like a tired Geo Metro

There is no stop start function so I was wondering if the car runs like a normal car at stoplights or if it trips over itself sometimes. I have read the car becomes extremely sluggish with no pack. How sluggish are we talking here ?

see above, I've driven mine thru a Pittsburgh winter..no prob.

Don't let a bad battery screw up a good deal

http://www.insightcentral.net/forums...a-battery.html

[silverinsight2]

Originally Posted by Cd

How hard is it to repair aluminum body panels like the insight has ( versus steel ) ?

Had mine fixed by throwing new parts at it.

What all is steel on the car ?

Mostly nuts and bolts, brake/fuel lines, rear axles, shocks, struts, springs,misc parts ...very little actually.