2002 Honda

1st Generation Honda Insight.

One of the very first hybrids and still one of the best, read on to see why a Pistonhead would want one !

This is not a plug-in but a self contained hybrid. It is a 2 seater with the battery pack behind the driver. It performs like a 1.5 litre Honda Coupe (Vtech engine) but is less than 1000cc and only 3 cylinders. This, combined with its lightness, results in amazing fuel economy. (The hybrid battery is charged when braking and gives a boost when the engine calls for power, a bit like the Formula1 KERS system. However I understand it can be modified to power the car on it's own).

Normal daily driving gives figures in the high 60s to mid 70s and it’s pretty easy to get in to the 80s. Some owners have achieved over 100 MPG.

A Genuine UK car, I have all paperwork from new. It was purchased by an elderly gentleman in the West Midlands and then transferred to his sister. I bought it earlier this year. I think it was pre-registered by Honda hence why it shows 3 on the V5.

Full Honda Service history from new with all invoices and serviced again last month with correct oil and filters, cabin filter also changed. Both keys and remote are with it.

The benefit of being a 2 seater is plenty of space. I’m well over 6 foot tall yet loads of head and leg room.

Even by the normal high standards of the Japanese the build quality is superb, most of the body is aluminium and there are magnesium components. No rattles or squeaks.

NEW Hybrid (IMA) BATTERIES fitted by Honda dealer in April 2013. Also new normal battery at the same time.

Only known faults are rear screen washer (not wiper) doesn’t always squirt and a small crack in the rear spoiler.

Tyres were replaced in 2012/13, good quality, all matching and hardly any wear. I run them at 33psi so edge towards comfort rather than MPG, you can get a few more MPG by running them at the max of 45 but then ride is too hard for me.

One thing I would do if keeping the Insight is to have the wheels polished back to the original mirror finish as they have a few marks on them, a straightforward process.

Although I’m old enough to know how to double-declutch when driving and do that whenever I can the synchromesh on second gear works perfectly if driven conventionally, that can be a problem with these cars. The driving experience is nothing like a Prius or other hybrids. This has a sports car feel with real driver involvement, it is closer to a Honda CRX or even MX5 / Lotus Elise ! The 5 speed manual gearbox is super precise and an absolutely joy to use.

It had an audio upgrade when new so has a CD player and extra rear speakers. Air conditioning, electric mirrors, ABS etc all standard and working perfectly.

Mileage is around 118,000. This is a 2002 car so tax is decided by CO2 and as this produces just 80gms ROAD TAX IS ZERO.

Last MOT in August, the tester commented that it was in superb condition. It passed of course, only advisory was slight corrosion on rear brake pipe connections, these have since been Waxoyled so no longer a concern.

Registration for most of its life was RF02RJX, but as I think it looks like a spaceship that was once a UFO, it now has the cherished plate EX02UFO which I think suits it perfectly, that will stay on it for the new owner, along with the Lego spaceman on the keyring.

These 1st Generation Insights are becoming more and more sought after, they were made at a time when Honda were brave and at the top of their game. Same factory as S2000 and NSX. I've wanted one since being given a lift during a business trip in California a few years ago, they are very popular amongst the Tech community there. They have always been super rare here partly because they were very expensive new, it took me a long time to find a good one.

Recognised as a classic and starting to appreciate. Mine is insured on a classic car policy.

An Insight is a perfect car for everyday commuting. Because of the build quality mileage is no problem, many have 250,000 miles plus. They makes a dull repetitive journey interesting, and, if trying to hypermile, challenging yet all at legal speeds and for little money.

Owners tend to keep Insights long term so they are rarely for sale but although I've thoroughly enjoyed mine I really can't justify keeping it - I have 3 other cars here which better suit my current needs transporting people and materials for a new project and I now work from home so am no longer commuting daily.

There was a feature on these Insights in Autocar back in August and a review on here.