New Gas sipper from AZ

[cactus jon]

Hey,
I am Cactus Jon from Arizona. I lucked out last July and found a lady here with two first gen Insights. She wanted to sell one, and fortunately she wanted to keep the one with the CVT. I changed the oil to 0w20 Mobil One, changed the tranny oil, and installed a KN air filter. The battery was changed under warranty at 75K and the car had 118K when I bought it. I have been getting 62mpg in warm weather and 58mpg during the winter. I love the fuel computer display as it reinforces frugal driving habits. Just wish I could get some more power without sacrificing gas mileage.

Current Fleet:

95 Plymouth Voyager 3.0L 22mpg
98 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST 32mpg
01 Honda Insight 62mpg

85 Kawasaki ZX750 turbo 50mpg
87 Honda TLR200 Reflex 80mpg
87 Honda Elite 150 90mpg
89 Honda XL600V Transalp 60mpg
08 Vespa GTS250ie 75mpg

[wyatta4]

Are these insights partially battery powered?? If so are the batteries expensive to replace??
Welcome! This website rocks, lots of useful info.

[cactus jon]

Originally Posted by wyatta4

Are these insights partially battery powered?? If so are the batteries expensive to replace??
Welcome! This website rocks, lots of useful info.

Yeah, the Insights use Honda's Integrated Motor Assist which adds 13 horspower of battery power under load to the 67HP ICE. As usual, Honda overengineered this car, and it is still the highest gas mileage production car ever built. New batteries from Honda are around 3,000USD. I am hoping that my battery will last for years because of regular driving.

[wyatta4]

Oh man.. Those battery prices turn me off right there.. Not trying to bring ya down! Haha.

[cactus jon]

Originally Posted by wyatta4

Oh man.. Those battery prices turn me off right there.. Not trying to bring ya down! Haha.

California requires all hybrid batteries to come with 150,000 mile warranties. Before I bought my car, I took the VIN to the local dealership and had them print the service history of the car. The battery was replaced by the previous owner at 75K miles (the car now has 125K). Even if the battery fails, the car can be driven in ICE mode only. Having worked in a Honda motorcycle dealership most of my life, I know that Honda is very concerned about their reputation and stands behind their products. This is my fifth Honda car, and they have all exceeded my expectations.

Nice to meet a fellow spud head...I was hatched in Twin Falls!!

[wyatta4]

So whatis the MPG without the batteries??
Heck ya. I love Idaho and it's GREAT and "warm" weather. Hahaha

[cactus jon]

I suspect the MPG would be the same or very close. The car has a 997CC 3 cylinder engine which runs all the time (i.e. never is electric only, like the Prius). It has auto-stop and economy modes for heating and air conditioning. I owned a 98 CRX (ex), and the car has very similar feel except for power. I feel very fortunate to have found this car last year before the gas prices skyrocketed. Just the same as riding my Vespa, I get asked three questions everywhere I go:

How many MPG does it get?
How fast does it go?
Do you want to sell it?

[blade]

welcome to em cactus jon and enjoy those questions alot of people wish they got half that at least i do but i really enjoy my f150 and only drive 20 miles a day