GreenHybrid Interactive Hybrid Car Resource
Home Discuss Articles Compare Share Shop
GreenHybrid.com   Hybrid Car Forums   Tech Information   Mileage & Specs   Photo Gallery   Buying Guide  
GreenHybrid Mileage Database - Click here to track your MPG! Join Hybrid car discussions today - Create a FREE GreenHybrid Account

Go Back   GreenHybrid - Hybrid Cars > Hybrid Cars > Honda Motor Company > Honda Insight

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 04-28-2006, 08:34 AM
Enthusiast
 
Hybrids: Insight soon
Posts: 5
Default Buy new or Used Insight

The used is an 01' with 48k on the clock 5-speed. Lifetime MPG is 56. He says on the highway he gets 60mpg. From the year and mileage I would guess that it's almost always been city driving (college town, mid-west, flat). Oh and he's the 2nd owner and it's Honda Certified till 100k.

I live in the Mid-west where it's flat and I drive 156 miles round-trip a day. I'd save alot of money to say the least...

Should I buy new or this used one for half the price?
Honda warranty till 100k, does it cover the batteries???

Thanks and I'm going to make the decision soon in the next few days, so please post.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 04-28-2006, 08:41 AM
Delta Flyer's Avatar
Cng Attitudes-Not Physics
 
Real Name: Chuck
Location: Lewisville (Dallas), Texas
Hybrids: 2000 Honda Enzyte 5-speed
Posts: 3,147
Default Re: Buy new or Used Insight

I'd say it looks good, based on what has been said.

Expected FE:
  • Highway at 55mph: 70-80mpg
  • Highway at 65mph: 60mpg
  • Highway at 75mph: 40-45mpg

.

61.5mpg lifetime - 82mpg in recent months

Best Run >
www.cleanmpg.com

"fanatic" is what the lazy call the dedicated
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 04-28-2006, 08:52 AM
Enthusiast
 
Hybrids: Insight soon
Posts: 5
Default Re: Buy new or Used Insight

just got an email back saying he has a lead foot on the highway 70+ MPH. Would explain the under 60mpg.

Will probably pull the trigger this weekend on the used one if still available. Money saved will go towards a weekend Toy = If not available, then there is always a new one locally. Now if GW would only extend those Tax credits to manual tranny Insights...
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 04-28-2006, 08:54 AM
Enthusiast
 
Hybrids: Insight soon
Posts: 5
Default Re: Buy new or Used Insight

So what's a fair price on Used with the specs I listed?
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 04-28-2006, 10:09 AM
Have hybrid, will travel.
 
Real Name: Charlie...
Location: Stockton, NJ
Hybrids: 04 Civic Hybrid (MT) 05 Escape Hybrid (AWD)
Posts: 464
Default Re: Buy new or Used Insight

Get a Civic. You can do that mileage or better and get a newer car.

.


-Charlie...
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 04-28-2006, 10:39 AM
brick's Avatar
Pretty Darn Active Enthusiast
 
Real Name: Tim
Hybrids: '07 Prius
Posts: 441
Default Re: Buy new or Used Insight

48K for an '01 is pretty decent. I was pricing them out last night on Autotrader (dare to dream) and just about everything I found in my area was over 80k, presumably because high-mileage drivers are the most likely to buy one in the first place. Personally I would go for the low-mileage used car if it's literally half the price of a new one.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 05-01-2006, 10:24 AM
Enthusiast
 
Real Name: Ron
Hybrids: HCH CVT, Insight CVT
Posts: 47
Default Re: Buy new or Used Insight

I just bought a used 05 with 13k miles on it for $15,250. Thought it was pretty decent as the ones with 70k miles are going for close to $10,000
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 05-03-2006, 01:30 PM
Enthusiast
 
Hybrids: Insight soon
Posts: 5
Default Re: Buy new or Used Insight

The new one sold...
The first used one I inquired about sold. Second used one had the same specs but 60k on the clock, but $11.7k asking price.

The used one: I drive all highway, 164 miles roundtrip daily. I took the used one on the highway and drove it the same way as the new one I just test drove and only got 55mpg vs. 72 on the new one. Tires were not OEM. Please comment on this battery charging issue. Battery was 3/4 full when I started out. Dropped to about half as I got up to 65mph on the highway. Since no cruise, occasionally a small assist would kick in when fighting the wind resistance. The battery slowly dropped to 3 bars. Then constantly the "charging" was on with 3 bars and the main battery slowly began to charge back again to what was the max of 3/4. By this time, my test drive of the used Insight was over and I logged about 40 miles on the highway averaging 55mpg. Something with the battery didn't seem right, so I passed on it. No AC on and windows up. Please reply about if the battery sounded like a car with 60k on it or a possible problem? How much of an effect does really cheap non-oem tires make???
Thanks, now I get to wait till the next shipment of Insights come in the area.

Ron, good deal on the 05'

Last edited by sailing217; 05-03-2006 at 01:32 PM.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 05-03-2006, 01:48 PM
Delta Flyer's Avatar
Cng Attitudes-Not Physics
 
Real Name: Chuck
Location: Lewisville (Dallas), Texas
Hybrids: 2000 Honda Enzyte 5-speed
Posts: 3,147
Default It Looked Like it was Ready to Recal (Recharge) - DON'T WORRY

Recals (or forced recharge) happens at about 2/3 charge on a 5-speed Insight. You were very close to that point on your test drive.

It takes some practice, but you will want to keep that bar 80% full or more to avoid frequent recals. Even if you want to drive somewhat fast, you can learn to do this.

Keep in mind that 100% on the bar is not a 100% battery charge, nor is 0% necessarily mean the battery pack is dead. The battery pack is allowed to have a maximum charge of 85%. Depending on the software, the minimum charge is 15 or 40% (please verify). This is to preserve the battery pack.



Quote:
Originally Posted by sailing217
The new one sold...
The first used one I inquired about sold. Second used one had the same specs but 60k on the clock, but $11.7k asking price.

The used one: I drive all highway, 164 miles roundtrip daily. I took the used one on the highway and drove it the same way as the new one I just test drove and only got 55mpg vs. 72 on the new one. Tires were not OEM. Please comment on this battery charging issue. Battery was 3/4 full when I started out. Dropped to about half as I got up to 65mph on the highway. Since no cruise, occasionally a small assist would kick in when fighting the wind resistance. The battery slowly dropped to 3 bars. Then constantly the "charging" was on with 3 bars and the main battery slowly began to charge back again to what was the max of 3/4. By this time, my test drive of the used Insight was over and I logged about 40 miles on the highway averaging 55mpg. Something with the battery didn't seem right, so I passed on it. No AC on and windows up. Please reply about if the battery sounded like a car with 60k on it or a possible problem? How much of an effect does really cheap non-oem tires make???
Thanks, now I get to wait till the next shipment of Insights come in the area.

Ron, good deal on the 05'

.

61.5mpg lifetime - 82mpg in recent months

Best Run >
www.cleanmpg.com

"fanatic" is what the lazy call the dedicated
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #10 (permalink)  
Old 05-03-2006, 01:52 PM
Enthusiast
 
Hybrids: Insight soon
Posts: 5
Default Re: It Looked Like it was Ready to Recal (Recharge) - DON'T WORRY

What do you think a guesstimate of OEM Tires inflated properly (40+) is good for MPG wise?

The used car in question was also an Auto getting 55mpg. But my driving habits of 60-65 with alot of truck drafting was getting 70+ mpg on a brand new Auto Insight.

Last edited by sailing217; 05-03-2006 at 01:55 PM.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

Similar Threads
Thread Topic Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Insight observed in snowy conditions wayneswhirld Honda Insight 3 03-26-2006 07:23 AM
bought new 2005 Insight (Jul 2005) debdeb Introductions 0 08-28-2005 04:38 PM
Follow-up to "Anyone know about the "2006" Insight? tigerhonaker Honda Insight 9 05-25-2005 09:26 PM
Anyone know about the "2006" Insight? tigerhonaker Honda Insight 6 05-25-2005 07:52 PM
Insight Upgrade greenwar General Forum 11 11-11-2004 02:02 AM


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:51 PM.


Home | Hybrid Discussion Forums | Hybrid Articles Archive | Mileage Database | Hybrid Photo Galleries | Compare Vehicles
Terms of Service - Privacy Policy - Advertising
GreenHybrid.com, Copyright 2008
InternetBrands.com Automotive Network

SEO by vBSEO 3.2.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52