2001 Honda Insight ZE1 - Citrus Yellow
Discussion
Well, I doubt any of you saw this coming, but the car itself is hard to miss!
How did this come to be? Well, let's take stock of 2023 developments and a quick 'fleet update':
Rover 75 Tourer - Sold in August, thanks to ULEZ.
Alfa Romeo 164 - Retired to the country, thanks to ULEZ, SORNed.
Saab 900 Turbo - With a specialist for planned structural works, then off to a paint shop for the next 18 months until it is ULEZ exempt, SORNed.
MG ZT-T 260 - With a specialist for remedial subframe, bushes and undercarraige works for the next 3+ months.
That leaves us with a driveway of:
Alfa Romeo GTV - Daily commuting duties for my wife.
Saab 99 - Garaged classic, fully working but sadly 'too good to daily' in the winter or inclement weather. My wife is very protective!
At the start of September, with the wife out and the Saab cleaned for Goodwood, I looked at the driveway and realised I didnt have a car to use. Immediate remedial action was required.
I had perhaps 3k (maybe), and started sifting through my long ULEZ-compatible wishlist. Peugeot 406 Coupe, Alfa 166, Panda 100HP, Audi A2... lots to consider...but wait, what's in this Car & Classic 3-5k bucket? A manual, citrus Insight with 194k a short hop away in Isleworth? This I had to see!
I have long been a fan of the Citreon DS, SM and the ZE1 (as the first gen is known) really piqued my interest in recent years. After following Jonny Smith's 320k example I became convinced it was a DIY-able modern spaceship, and I was very keen to realise my fantasy of playing Deckard from Blade Runner. While 24mpg in my MG is a joy each time, the amount of miles we'll be doing in coming years really means I miss the 50+ I enjoyed in the Rover.
The owner was wonderfully helpful - he was a relatively recent custodian after the previous owner emigrated, and related its long history and (ahem) list of issues. He also had a Volvo 164 (164!) and Singer Chamois in the garage, so was a fellow lover of eccentric motors. Luckily he was on my train journey home from work, so on a balmy summer's eve I dropped in, was instantly smitten and took it for a quick test drive.
Naturally my wife arriving in the Saab 99 and declaring it 'a thing of beauty' was the clincher. After a short negotiation, in large part promising to get it back to full working order, a deal was done.
After a busy Revival Friday, I returned to pick it up on Saturday, including a few choice spares, manuals, the ENTIRE service and bill history and a trickle charger.
Of course, it has a list of issues, but there is a significant enthusiast base in the UK and everything should be known or repairable.
Most importantly... I've heard a Nexus-5 was reported in Sector Phi/66, so I'm heading over there once the acid rain lets up to 'retire' it.
Plenty more to come on this one...especially as it need a new battery, IMA fixes, SRS light, some dents, misted headlights, rear tyres... <fade to mumbling...>
How did this come to be? Well, let's take stock of 2023 developments and a quick 'fleet update':
Rover 75 Tourer - Sold in August, thanks to ULEZ.
Alfa Romeo 164 - Retired to the country, thanks to ULEZ, SORNed.
Saab 900 Turbo - With a specialist for planned structural works, then off to a paint shop for the next 18 months until it is ULEZ exempt, SORNed.
MG ZT-T 260 - With a specialist for remedial subframe, bushes and undercarraige works for the next 3+ months.
That leaves us with a driveway of:
Alfa Romeo GTV - Daily commuting duties for my wife.
Saab 99 - Garaged classic, fully working but sadly 'too good to daily' in the winter or inclement weather. My wife is very protective!
At the start of September, with the wife out and the Saab cleaned for Goodwood, I looked at the driveway and realised I didnt have a car to use. Immediate remedial action was required.
I had perhaps 3k (maybe), and started sifting through my long ULEZ-compatible wishlist. Peugeot 406 Coupe, Alfa 166, Panda 100HP, Audi A2... lots to consider...but wait, what's in this Car & Classic 3-5k bucket? A manual, citrus Insight with 194k a short hop away in Isleworth? This I had to see!
I have long been a fan of the Citreon DS, SM and the ZE1 (as the first gen is known) really piqued my interest in recent years. After following Jonny Smith's 320k example I became convinced it was a DIY-able modern spaceship, and I was very keen to realise my fantasy of playing Deckard from Blade Runner. While 24mpg in my MG is a joy each time, the amount of miles we'll be doing in coming years really means I miss the 50+ I enjoyed in the Rover.
The owner was wonderfully helpful - he was a relatively recent custodian after the previous owner emigrated, and related its long history and (ahem) list of issues. He also had a Volvo 164 (164!) and Singer Chamois in the garage, so was a fellow lover of eccentric motors. Luckily he was on my train journey home from work, so on a balmy summer's eve I dropped in, was instantly smitten and took it for a quick test drive.
Naturally my wife arriving in the Saab 99 and declaring it 'a thing of beauty' was the clincher. After a short negotiation, in large part promising to get it back to full working order, a deal was done.
After a busy Revival Friday, I returned to pick it up on Saturday, including a few choice spares, manuals, the ENTIRE service and bill history and a trickle charger.
Of course, it has a list of issues, but there is a significant enthusiast base in the UK and everything should be known or repairable.
Most importantly... I've heard a Nexus-5 was reported in Sector Phi/66, so I'm heading over there once the acid rain lets up to 'retire' it.
Plenty more to come on this one...especially as it need a new battery, IMA fixes, SRS light, some dents, misted headlights, rear tyres... <fade to mumbling...>
Edited by Spinakerr on Friday 15th September 15:55
I'm fairly certain that the Insight ( or maybe CRZ) is going to be what I end up driving once the government ban my Jaguar. I like Honda products, and I've always felt the Prius never deserved to be so widely sold when the Insight seemed a much nicer car. I love the wheel spats, really harks back to the streamline cars of the 1930's, but with the wonderful "futuristic" dash. Congratulations on finding such an interesting and rarely seen motor! (Plus Blade Runner is my all time favourite film)
Top choice sir!
There was an exact double of your car that I would see frequently in the Hook Heath / Wych Hill area of Woking when I worked there 20 odd years ago - I was driving a VTEC CRX at the time and often thought that the Insight would be an ideal commuting car to complement the sporty-ness of the CRX.
There was an exact double of your car that I would see frequently in the Hook Heath / Wych Hill area of Woking when I worked there 20 odd years ago - I was driving a VTEC CRX at the time and often thought that the Insight would be an ideal commuting car to complement the sporty-ness of the CRX.
Edited by dobly on Saturday 16th September 06:31
Thanks all! As always great to have a warm PH welcome to a new project.
Cambs_Stuart said:
That's a really interesting thing. What's it like to drive?
Just completed 300 miles, and initial impressions are very good. Steering is excellently direct an early electrci setup but with a tiny wheel (S2000?), ride is firm and it is a little noisy. Hills are my new enemy - this reminds me of my old 1.6 Ford Capri, where judging the run-ups and conservation of momentum were key!JonnyVTEC said:
Great stuff. My readers thread is down here of my Insight too.
Yes I did read your thread entirely - thank you!Vsix and Vtec said:
I'm fairly certain that the Insight ( or maybe CRZ) is going to be what I end up driving once the government ban my Jaguar. I like Honda products, and I've always felt the Prius never deserved to be so widely sold when the Insight seemed a much nicer car. I love the wheel spats, really harks back to the streamline cars of the 1930's, but with the wonderful "futuristic" dash. Congratulations on finding such an interesting and rarely seen motor! (Plus Blade Runner is my all time favourite film)
It is in my top 5, and the new 2049 I really enjoyed too. This car defintiely is more of an eye-catcher that committed to its ethos in looks. Mr Tidy said:
Fascinating car there. 
Is it just the photo, or is the bonnet a different colour?
Well spotted - the original 20 year old paint has faded on top from UV, so it is graded from 'light lemon' down to 'deep lime' in a vertial fashion. Plus, the front bumper has been replaced at some point due to a knock.Is it just the photo, or is the bonnet a different colour?
jeremyc said:
The only positive side to ULEZ is the rise in the number of interesting cars in SW London. 
Interesting choice - I look forward to the resurrection.
Ha! Thanks, let's see how far I get - I must say its a genuininely engaging little escape pod to pilot.Interesting choice - I look forward to the resurrection.
Cambs_Stuart said:
Have you considered that if you were to add the V8 rover and insight together, then divide by two the result would be two average, normal cars?
Indeed, but where's the fun in average! As long as one car is in working order and on the driveway at any one time, I'm set!SirGriffin said:
There's a guy on YouTube who has replaced the (presumably blown) engine with a 50cc lawnmower engine - it still retains the variable drive transmission which is just a belt between pulleys. Goes surprisingly well!
Fortunately I have the manual, which has L O N G gears - continuous downshifting for hills if I haven't managed to build up momentum - the 3 cyclinder is willing but still; struggles. Definitely work to be done.The joy of a new vehicle and those first easy fixes, lulling you into a false sense of progress and inextricably weaving a commitment that will lead to heart over wallet purchases in future...
The rear bumper squidge was an easy fix with a hairdryer and a rubber mallet - fortunately easy access for this one.
I'll have a go at gettign the trim back to black at some point, never fear.
First few trips allowed some reassuring warning lights to make their presence known on the dash - IMA, check engine, SRS, fuel light...
The IMA/EML are related to the battery and IMA - this was known and the car will operate, to some extent, as intended for about 100 miles if charged externally, but after that a few lights will pop up. The 'charge' green bars rarely come on, the 'asst' for motor IMA never come on and the 'battery' meter just generally drops. That'll be a job for an expert.
The fuel light is a common issue of the level sender failing - it is under the battery pack so I am hoping this can be rectified at the saem time as the above.
The SRS light, as we all know, is going to be a connector somewhere that needs a little nudge. There are some loose panels around the seatbelts, and plenty of info on the forums, so I'll tackle that at some point.
Naturally, far more imprtant than any of that was giving is a clean.
Externally, a careful power wash removed mould and ingrained grot, and after removal of the spats around 2kg of amalgamated mud and soil...
Some of the paint is looking very, er, 'delicate' on the bonnet and doors, so I kept the power low. A proper clay and polish as some point should improve it a fair bit.
The engine bay was my main concern - there was a lot of leaves, detritus and a mouse nest hidden in the orange power cable, lower bowels and every nook and cranny.
One of the best purchases I have ever made is this Carpro engine brush - its ability to clean around bolts, recesses and shrug off every engine fluid & cleaning chemical is unmatched.
A short while later... now I can rest easy, and no doubt that's another few hundred grams shaved...
Finally, while seeing my parents we dropped into the Yeovil Honda dealership to pick up two new number plates - the rear original was an MOT advisory and new number plates are a mandatory 'new car' purchase for me:
Interesting to scan the prices of new Honda ... things... - 46k for an SUV thing? 50k for a hybrid thing? Really?
Anyway, great service from the team in Yeovil, and plates a vary reasonablle 10.99 each, instantly produced.
Old...
...and new.
WIth the electrical gremlins still present I don't think I'll be letting the wife use this for required commuting just yet. It also needs two new rear tyres to replace the current HobNobs fitted, and then I'll tackle the EGR and various 'common ailments' before winter sets in.
Oh, and I also need to get a copy of the WipeOut 2097 soundtrack from 1996...
The rear bumper squidge was an easy fix with a hairdryer and a rubber mallet - fortunately easy access for this one.
I'll have a go at gettign the trim back to black at some point, never fear.
First few trips allowed some reassuring warning lights to make their presence known on the dash - IMA, check engine, SRS, fuel light...
The IMA/EML are related to the battery and IMA - this was known and the car will operate, to some extent, as intended for about 100 miles if charged externally, but after that a few lights will pop up. The 'charge' green bars rarely come on, the 'asst' for motor IMA never come on and the 'battery' meter just generally drops. That'll be a job for an expert.
The fuel light is a common issue of the level sender failing - it is under the battery pack so I am hoping this can be rectified at the saem time as the above.
The SRS light, as we all know, is going to be a connector somewhere that needs a little nudge. There are some loose panels around the seatbelts, and plenty of info on the forums, so I'll tackle that at some point.
Naturally, far more imprtant than any of that was giving is a clean.
Externally, a careful power wash removed mould and ingrained grot, and after removal of the spats around 2kg of amalgamated mud and soil...
Some of the paint is looking very, er, 'delicate' on the bonnet and doors, so I kept the power low. A proper clay and polish as some point should improve it a fair bit.
The engine bay was my main concern - there was a lot of leaves, detritus and a mouse nest hidden in the orange power cable, lower bowels and every nook and cranny.
One of the best purchases I have ever made is this Carpro engine brush - its ability to clean around bolts, recesses and shrug off every engine fluid & cleaning chemical is unmatched.
A short while later... now I can rest easy, and no doubt that's another few hundred grams shaved...
Finally, while seeing my parents we dropped into the Yeovil Honda dealership to pick up two new number plates - the rear original was an MOT advisory and new number plates are a mandatory 'new car' purchase for me:
Interesting to scan the prices of new Honda ... things... - 46k for an SUV thing? 50k for a hybrid thing? Really?
Anyway, great service from the team in Yeovil, and plates a vary reasonablle 10.99 each, instantly produced.
Old...
...and new.
WIth the electrical gremlins still present I don't think I'll be letting the wife use this for required commuting just yet. It also needs two new rear tyres to replace the current HobNobs fitted, and then I'll tackle the EGR and various 'common ailments' before winter sets in.
Oh, and I also need to get a copy of the WipeOut 2097 soundtrack from 1996...
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