I'd think messing with synchros would require specialized equipment (gear pullers, hydraulic press). There has to be a used insight transmission sitting in a junkyard near you...
I'd definately take the Insight to LA. $1500 bucks spent now is good insurance against gas rising during the next five years, especially if you will be making trips up to the bay area. LA freeways are generally fine off peak, but they blow during rush hour. Too bad the Insight doesn't have stealth mode, but the idle cut-off feature will still be useful.
The Insight will also be a great platform for a plug-in conversion. A few $500 Prius battery packs could probably get you into 100+mpg territory.
Sell the Jeep and get the Insight up and running. It's just a bad influence anyways...
- LostCause