RE: Can I put a Civic VX engine in Gen I Insight?

[ecoboy]

Originally Posted by cowmeat

I remember those days, that's why I moved to sunny Florida!

Good luck in your search.

Thanks man! Is $3,500 reasonable for a reliable high fuel efficient turn key? I'd love to do a project, but just need reliable transportation for now.

Looking at Insight manual, Honda Civic VX hatchback, and Geo. Geo is last on list as it is 3 cylinder and have concerns about pulling 600 lb motorcycle. I love old Honda 750s from the 70s. As a side note I would love to build my own Elio using a Metro powerplant, but for now I just need fuel economy, reliability, and the ability to pull my bike.


I'd buy a Elio in second if I believed it was going to happen.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by ecoboy

Thanks man! Is $3,500 reasonable for a reliable high fuel efficient turn key? I'd love to do a project, but just need reliable transportation for now.

Looking at Insight manual, Honda Civic VX hatchback, and Geo. Geo is last on list as it is 3 cylinder and have concerns about pulling 600 lb motorcycle. I love old Honda 750s from the 70s. As a side note I would love to build my own Elio using a Metro powerplant, but for now I just need fuel economy, reliability, and the ability to pull my bike.


I'd buy a Elio in second if I believed it was going to happen.

I've towed more than 1000lbs across the country (through mountains) with my Insight, which you're probably aware is also a 3 cylinder, though with electric assist.

[ecoboy]

Thanks Ecky,

Good to know a 3 cylinder is up to the job. Wonder how much the assist helps the insight. My guess would be alot.

I found this guy, goes by the name of Geo Jeff. I guess he is the master of metros maybe I will contact him as the only ecobox near me is a metro.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by ecoboy

Thanks Ecky,

Good to know a 3 cylinder is up to the job. Wonder how much the assist helps the insight. My guess would be alot.

I found this guy, goes by the name of Geo Jeff. I guess he is the master of metros maybe I will contact him as the only ecobox near me is a metro.

The electric motor doesn't provide much extra power at the top end (you only get ~73HP at redline, assisted), but the little 3-cylinder with assist puts down 91ft-lbs of torque @ 2000RPM while assisted. It makes the 1850lb car quite drivable below 2000RPM.

EDIT: It's worth mentioning that, even under the super rare circumstance of a catastrophic failure in the hybrid system, unlike a Prius, the Insight can continue to run as an ICE-only car.

[ecoboy]

I imaging the though of a battery failure in the Prius would really be nerve wracking after a while, and the way things go machines always have a way of breaking at the worst possible time.

I think I will keep any eye out for an insight manual. The little quirks like balancing the battery pack, does not seem like a big deal when you consider the pros of aluminum construction and close to 60 mpg out of the box.

Hopefully I will have one of my CB750s sold by the end of the month and I can buy a Gen I insight.

[ecoboy]

Originally Posted by cowmeat

You just never know with cars. I had a 1990 Jeep Cherokee 4WD 5-spd that my wife drove for 10 years and we never had an issue with it.

I paid 3K for my first Insight Turtle (which my son now owns and re-badged "Dr. Horrible", and is right ahead of my in the mpg challenge with). That one had 200K miles, leather seats, a real nice DVD system that I turned into a rear view camera, newish Michelin Energy Savers, newer paint, replacement IMA battery, dark tint and was an all around nice car.
I paid 4,500 bucks for Ron Burgundy, which came with 111K miles, sunroof, black leather interior, shaved doors, custom paint, dark tint, newer IMA battery, Hybrid Automotive grid charger, hardwired radar detector, 4-spkr Kenwood sound system, solar 12V battery charger, and newish OEM RE92s, and is the nicest Insight I've ever seen in person.
Neither car has had a battery failure, neither has the downshift grind, or leak any fluids. Both have functioning AC, all the electronics work, etc . . . there are deals out there if you pick the car carefully and know what to look for when you go to test drive one.

If you're looking for one, here are a couple of examples in your area, one being a nice sub-100K miles example:

Honda insight plug in hybrid 61 mpg

2006 Honda Insight

I really like that silver one alot! Much nicer than the Red. Looks like it has a grid charger so at least the owner knows something about these cars.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by ecoboy

I really like that silver one alot! Much nicer than the Red. Looks like it has a grid charger so at least the owner knows something about these cars.

One thing to consider is that the 2006 model will still have warranty on its battery until the end of 2016. I'm not suggesting anything, but if the IMA light were to come on for some reason, you could get a new battery for it. There's also a fair chance that the owner of the 2000 model has already had its pack replaced by Honda if the owner was savvy.

Insights that live in the south will have shorter battery lifespans, but those that are well cared for and in moderate to cool climates might get 15-20 years before the IMA light comes on, which just suggests the battery is getting weak, and not that the hybrid system has failed or is unusable.

[Xist]

Southern Insights should have much less rust, though.

[ecoboy]

The more I think about it the more I like the idea of a 2000 insight. It is on it's way to being a vintage car already! I already know SOHC engines from working on my CB750 so I am sure I could rebuilt the top end if I ever had to. From what I read it will go 300k without any trouble. Everyone knows the 1st year is the most collectible. It will be very sought after when gas shoots back up.

$2.50 gas has people in a daze, and I think we all know it will end abruptly at some point. For 59 MPG without adding any mods is the "golden ticket".

[pgfpro]

Good choice!!!

I Love my 2000 Insight. It runs great and everything works. I think the 1st gen Insights are a great investment, where I live in Idaho people will stop and take pictures of it. I even had a neighbor stop and ask me what it was and how much did it cost thinking it was a 2016 car.lol