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Old 07-08-2013, 01:33 PM   #1 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,527

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 54.46 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 62.14 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,078
Thanked 6,976 Times in 3,612 Posts
SOLD - MetroMPG's 2000 Honda Insight - $3700 incl. boat tail! (E. Ont., Canada)



UPDATE Aug 3: SOLD

( * 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.

---

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



__________________
Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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