SOLD - MetroMPG's 2000 Honda Insight - $3700 incl. boat tail! (E. Ont., Canada)

[MetroMPG]

UPDATE Aug 3: SOLD

• 5-speed
• ~280k km / ~174k miles
• "revived" battery pack (could use another rebalancing because I don't use it enough)
• includes parts to build a grid charger/maintainer
• Honda maintenance history
• boat tail! *
• durable, removable grille blocks! *
• pre-installed EcoModder decals! (Good for at least 5 MPG)
• hybrid exemption from e-testing in Ontario

( * these mods go only to buyer if an EcoModder member prior to the car going up for sale.)


This is a classic "head vs. heart" situation:

I love this car -- it is the pinnacle of fuel economy nerd-dom and a TON of fun to eco-drive.

But I just don't use it enough to justify keeping/storing it, and I've got too many cars. Even though it's waaaay more fun to drive and is immeasurably cooler than my Firefly/Metro, the Firefly's super low km and very good (if not incredible) MPG means it makes more sense to keep it. It's time to thin the herd.

It's going to need tires (the RE92's).

$3700, firm.

I wouldn't hesitate to drive this car anywhere.

Additional notes, added Jul 23:

• Everything works, other than one speaker which has a buzz in it at moderate/loud volume

• It's not a show car: it's a 13 year old Ontario car with 280k km on the clock, and served as a ~130 km daily round trip commuter for its first decade, including exposure to road salt in the winter. Expect normal wear and tear: stone chips, minor scrapes, scratches, scuffs, rust on exposed steel parts, fasteners, etc. That said, for its age & mileage, it's very clean and looks great.

• IMA pack: original, working condition at ~75% capacity, holding charge, providing full assist, regen; used lightly since I got the car (I typically use assist only occasionally, disabled via the clutch switch). No IMA or engine codes. The car was traded in by the original owner due to IMA codes (pack out of balance) and a $3500 estimate from Honda for a new pack installation. Parts to build a grid charger are included with the car; this would be a good way to extend pack life dramatically.

• It has not been winter driven since ~Jan., 2011.

• It was repainted, before I got it, following a wind storm in which the car's "portable" enclosure/car tent collapsed on it

• Typical Insight issues: (Also see: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ems-18892.html )
  - front suspension 'chirp'/squeak over some bumps
  - NO interior water leaks
  - EGR manifold passages / EGR potentiometer cleaned
  - engine/chassis ground straps/contacts cleaned
  - hatchback struts are strong
  - fuel line rust (at firewall) doesn't appear significant (see photo for close-up)
  - no significant wear on "dead pedal" area
  - no significant wear on driver's seat left lumbar area
  - no problems with window switches or dash/instrument switches
  - previous owner spent $1500 on a transmission repair, but couldn't remember specifics. I suspect it was for either the 2nd gear synchros or input shaft bearing, because there are no problems with either.
  - rear shocks seem fine - no usual tire wear or handling issues
  - factory underbody aero panels present
  - typical flaking clear coat on rear spoiler
  - plastic headlights could use restoration

• Interior notes:
  - very good overall non-smoker's car
  - a few very faint stains on the seats
  - some corrosion on the steel "feet" on seat rails (see pics)
  - rear cargo carpet is "fuzzy" in spots from what looks like aggressive vacuuming (not by me! I've never been accused an aggressive vacuumer!)
  - installed clutch (IMA inhibit) switch (one of the "fog light" buttons under the radio), and the engine kill (FAS) switch (on the shifter)

• Other maintenance notes:
  - Nearly complete Honda maintenance summary available on request
  - serpentine belt 2010
  - front brake pads 2011
  - 12v battery 2012
  - last oil change (0w20 Mobil1 synth) at ~270,000 km; no significant change in oil level since

Other than the brake pads & oil change, I haven't had to do anything to the car. The 12v battery replacement wasn't even strictly necessary (I'm still using the previous battery in another car). It's been totally reliable & a hoot to pilot this eco-pod. It looks good, runs fine, and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it anywhere.

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ADDED: detailed photos taken July 11th

Click to zoom...






















Added: More pics added Jul 22...





Even more pics: seat rails, underbody panels, general underbody, exhaust

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

...It's going to need tires (the RE92's). But you could get it through safety inspection with the winter tires, if you want.

$3700.

Darin,

You might want to post over at IC, if you haven't already.

I don't think it's going to last long at this price !!

Jim.

[Xist]

I wish, Metro! I hope that someone "in the family" picks it up quickly!

[rmay635703]

Too bad there is no way to bring it into the states legally without a lot of hand holding from motivated dealers.

[MetroMPG]

Thanks for the tip, Jim.

Xist - would be great if it stayed in the family! With someone who will gladly "wear the tail!"

rmay - I was wondering about that. I'm not at all familiar with the process of cars going from Canada --> US.

[NachtRitter]

Argh! You're in Canada & I'm not! Would've loved to try a 5-speed Insight! GLWS!

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

rmay - I was wondering about that. I'm not at all familiar with the process of cars going from Canada --> US.

Process

Step 1 - Guy from Minnesota (who happens to live in canada when he wants the car) buys car from a motived dealer in Canada and goes through the process of ownership in canada.

Step 2 - Highly motived honda dealer selling the car gets Honda Corporate to provide a sticker of conformity to lable the car and provide appropriate paperwork

Step 3 - Guy from minnesota drives the car back to Minnesota and then fills out a bunch of paperwork and messes around for months until the state DOT decides it can allow said outlandish canadian vehicle on US roads.

Step 4 - Guy from MN can sell to other US citizens who aren't lucky enough to have a simple 100 step process for getting a car from Canada to the US.

[sheepdog 44]

I'm interested in the grill block, how much do you want for it? I'd love the tail too if only it weren't 300 miles and 5 hours away! Hmm....

There's a guy in Ontario who might go to the Insight meet in Connecticut this August. Which means he could deliver it for me AND get an mpg boost along the way. I'll have to talk to him first. How much for the tail? I'd make it a permanent attachment and/or upgrade it or use it as a template. It'd have a good home.

[Insight for life]

wow I wish. I think also you can get more for it than $3700

[HyperMileQC]

Sad... It was fun seeing you with that Insight. Hope the tail will stay on. 3700 is a good price IMO.