When I bought my Insight in 2000 I got the factory extended warranty. I don't normally buy extended warranties, even on new technology, but I got a great deal - $835 dollars to extend the warranty to 7 years/100,000 miles. The standard IMA warranty ran to 80,000 miles.

Beginning in the first year of ownership we all saw that the IMA battery pack state of charge would recalibrate itself. As the pack aged we saw these recalibrations become more frequent, to the point that mileage was negatively affected and unsafe driving conditions were created (loss of IMA power just when you really needed it).

Honda began replacing failed Insight IMA battery packs after many compaints from owners. However, Honda would not replace the pack unless a code was stored in the system. Many owners passed the IMA warranty period (based on miles driven) with deteriorated battery packs. Honda has replaced some Insight IMA battery packs out of warranty, but it takes an extraordinary amount of perserverance on the part of the vehicle owner.

I am now at 5.5 years of ownership and 76,457 miles. I have suffered through daily IMA battery state of charge recalibrations but had no code to show Honda. At 76,422 miles my IMA light came on. I still have full IMA assist and regen braking, and auto-stop still works as before. But now I have a code to show Honda.

I have driven my Insight very gently the last eighteen months, trying to extend the life of the battery pack, fearing that I would pass the 100,000 mile extended warranty period without the IMA system throwing a trouble code. Perhaps now I don't have to worry so much.

2001 model year and later Insights seem to have better IMA battery management and do not exhibit the IMA battery pack failures at the high rate seen by 2000 model year Insight owners.

To end this long story if I were to by a new Insight I would not get the extended warranty. Honda has by now worked out most of the bugs of the IMA system.

I don't think there is anything new (to Honda) on the Accord Hybrid, except maybe the noise cancellation technology. Personally, I wouldn't care if that stopped working so I would not purchase the extended warranty if I bought an Accord Hybrid.

Dan Smith
Arlington, VA USA