Insight with dead battery - Page 3 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

dougfromdenver · 09-28-2018, 04:25 PM

20 calls? I doubt that. If you find any service manager who has highly experienced professionals working for them, odds are one of them will have been around as long or longer than the first generation model was sold. And many of those who were hybrid specialist for the first generation model have the additional knowledge that's come from years of service and repair of existing models on the road in their area.

So I'd recommend making up to five phone calls to five different dealers and if you find out that I am wrong, what has it cost you to make 5 phone calls to dealers in a general area, no less in a metropolitan area with multiple Honda dealers.

Just don't settle for an answer from anyone except for the service manager or the tech that has had the most experience with hybrids, both first generation model insights as well as Hondas newer hybrid models.

S Keith · 09-28-2018, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougfromdenver

I also would highly recommend that anyone buying a used Insight know as much as possible before jumping into a deal on a high mileage that -- as a 2000 model -- is almost 29 years old. Add to this the reality that does not drive, and cannot be road tested, makes even a $1,000 price look VERY unreasonable to me.

There have been transmission issues with the manual transmission that must be evaluated before buying any manual Insight.

Math much? 2018-2000 = 18.

But I agree with everything else...

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougfromdenver

20 calls? I doubt that. If you find any service manager who has highly experienced professionals working for them, odds are one of them will have been around as long or longer than the first generation model was sold. And many of those who were hybrid specialist for the first generation model have the additional knowledge that's come from years of service and repair of existing models on the road in their area.

So I'd recommend making up to five phone calls to five different dealers and if you find out that I am wrong, what has it cost you to make 5 phone calls to dealers in a general area, no less in a metropolitan area with multiple Honda dealers.

Just don't settle for an answer from anyone except for the service manager or the tech that has had the most experience with hybrids, both first generation model insights as well as Hondas newer hybrid models.

You're very optimistic. An "expert" who has a lot of experience with the G1 Insight is only likely to have seen a handful in their whole career given that there were only 17,020 made, and only about 12K ended up in the U.S.

On the other hand, perhaps I was being pessimistic. It might only take 19 calls.

Ecky · 09-28-2018, 10:35 PM

An Insight post I haven't responded to yet?

I can believe in a decent $1000 G1. Few people want these cars. They're not super quiet. They're very slow with a failed battery. They have only two seats and look bizarre. Gas is rising, but people aren't thinking about it yet. It may be very easy to make one pass inspection with a bad battery, but it requires knowledge someone is unlikely to know unless they already own and care about one.

There are a bazillion used Priuses on the market for under $4,000 which will reliably deliver 45+ mpg, have trouble-free automatic transmissions, back seats, and batteries that don't fail. There are plenty of options with EV range for under $10,000 which are far more luxurious and cheaper to drive per mile, for those who care. The Insight is increasingly niche.

These are usually very reliable cars - I was just reading a Facebook post of one that had just rolled past 600,000 miles. It got its second transmission at 508,000, but otherwise hasn't had any maintenance to speak of. Chances are good that an Insight which won't start has either a very dead hybrid battery (which can be bypassed) and/or a dead 12v battery, and/or bad engine ground straps. Knowing what I know, I'd give it a 90% or better chance I could get it going and make it inspectable for under $50.

Without a hybrid battery, they're definitely not fast, but they'll still easily overtake any classic VW or Geo Metro. They're not nearly as fun to drive, but no less reliable, and even with a bad battery, 50+ mpg in any but the worst stop an go traffic is not only achievable, but easy.

Would I recommend one to friends a family at this point? Probably not. But I'd definitely help an enthusiast out on this forum.

jamesqf · 09-29-2018, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougfromdenver

Being able to achieve 62 miles per gallon when I'm primarily driving on the highway is awesome.

Err... Not for an Insight. Unless you're using the A/C a lot, 62 mpg is pretty bad. I've averaged a bit over 70 mpg for the ~150K miles I've driven mine, and that includes a lot of winding mountain roads, and some dirt. And I've by no means got the best mpg out there...

dougfromdenver · 09-29-2018, 05:11 AM

We live over 1 mile above sea level. This affects fuel economy. If I could have averaged 75 mpg or more, without drastically changing our drive habits, we would have exceeded our 63 mpg to 75 mpgs or more..