RE: Honda Insight: You Know You Want To
Discussion
IN51GHT said:
kambites said:
To be fair, the capacity is also comparable with a motorcycle engine.
It is yes, but fond me a motorcycle engine that will do 400,000miles, whilst pulling along around 900kg.
Blackpuddin said:
Andy ap said:
this car was so far ahead of its time
It had stop-start right from when it first went on sale in 2000. It's not luxurious mind, not much sound-deadening and thin carpeting.This car was a DECADE ahead of everybody else. It changed the game so completely it nearly bankrupted BMW and Mercedes trying to reinvent themselves to catch up with the game.
Interesting thread on a car I totally overlooked before buying the daily driver (Aygo).
I'm almost convinced (partly because I love Honda's elegance in engineering), but ... it's only got 2 seats and my Aygo sometimes has to shuffle a few people here and there. Dagnabit!
I presume the HCH1 Civic mentioned is less of a clean-sheet design than the original Insight?
I'm almost convinced (partly because I love Honda's elegance in engineering), but ... it's only got 2 seats and my Aygo sometimes has to shuffle a few people here and there. Dagnabit!
I presume the HCH1 Civic mentioned is less of a clean-sheet design than the original Insight?
12v3pot said:
Interesting thread on a car I totally overlooked before buying the daily driver (Aygo).
I'm almost convinced (partly because I love Honda's elegance in engineering), but ... it's only got 2 seats and my Aygo sometimes has to shuffle a few people here and there. Dagnabit!
I presume the HCH1 Civic mentioned is less of a clean-sheet design than the original Insight?
The HCH were far more of a compromise; the idea of IMA (once they'd proven it in the little Insect) was that one can specify it as an 'alternative transmission' in other, normal models. Much as one would choose an auto or manual version.I'm almost convinced (partly because I love Honda's elegance in engineering), but ... it's only got 2 seats and my Aygo sometimes has to shuffle a few people here and there. Dagnabit!
I presume the HCH1 Civic mentioned is less of a clean-sheet design than the original Insight?
I didn't like the HCH1 much. But that was my fault, because I was expecting VTEC and it didn't have any and I got myself in awkward positions.
The latest Insight seems somehow a much better installation. The car drives really quite pleasantly with a low driving position - it's a CR-Z saloon in effect, albeit with a smaller engine. The only problem is the suspension crashes, as if the Jazz-derived bushes struggle to cope with the extra body & battery weight.
Probably a difficult question to answer, but I occasionally look for these, what's a good going price for a 'complete' one?
And given the specialist nature of them are they difficult to get spares for & or are they very expensive as a result.
Got to say these really appeal to the inner geek, but I wonder if like Harry Metcalfe found you simply get bored of it?
And given the specialist nature of them are they difficult to get spares for & or are they very expensive as a result.
Got to say these really appeal to the inner geek, but I wonder if like Harry Metcalfe found you simply get bored of it?
Black S2K said:
The HCH were far more of a compromise; the idea of IMA (once they'd proven it in the little Insect) was that one can specify it as an 'alternative transmission' in other, normal models. Much as one would choose an auto or manual version.
I didn't like the HCH1 much. But that was my fault, because I was expecting VTEC and it didn't have any and I got myself in awkward positions.
The latest Insight seems somehow a much better installation. The car drives really quite pleasantly with a low driving position - it's a CR-Z saloon in effect, albeit with a smaller engine. The only problem is the suspension crashes, as if the Jazz-derived bushes struggle to cope with the extra body & battery weight.
I still think that Honda should pop the engine and manual box from the CRZ into the gen 2 Insight. IMHO the ability to put a manual box on is just about the only advantage IMA has over the Toyota hybrid system and they should capitalise on it. The Insight handles quite well and would make quite an appealing warm hybrid.I didn't like the HCH1 much. But that was my fault, because I was expecting VTEC and it didn't have any and I got myself in awkward positions.
The latest Insight seems somehow a much better installation. The car drives really quite pleasantly with a low driving position - it's a CR-Z saloon in effect, albeit with a smaller engine. The only problem is the suspension crashes, as if the Jazz-derived bushes struggle to cope with the extra body & battery weight.
acme said:
Probably a difficult question to answer, but I occasionally look for these, what's a good going price for a 'complete' one?
And given the specialist nature of them are they difficult to get spares for & or are they very expensive as a result.
Got to say these really appeal to the inner geek, but I wonder if like Harry Metcalfe found you simply get bored of it?
I got bored of my first one & purchased a Fiat 500. Now don't get me wrong, the 500 was a great little car, but I found myself wishing I'd never sold the Insight, and here I am, on my third one now!!And given the specialist nature of them are they difficult to get spares for & or are they very expensive as a result.
Got to say these really appeal to the inner geek, but I wonder if like Harry Metcalfe found you simply get bored of it?
Spares can sometimes be a little more spendy than other models in the Honda range, but not that bad, my second Insight had a noisey gearbox input shaft bearing so whilst the box was open I did all the seal & bearings. That cost me about £250.
Availability of spares is generally good, worst I've had is a piece of trim that took 2 weeks to arrive.
"Going price"? Hard to say, but they are holding up quite well. My 125,000 mile car (my second Insight), that was subject to quite a lot of work to get it tidy (IRO £2000) having bought it as a £1000 "spares or repair" car sold for £5000 to the first person to view it, but having said that my current Insight was purchased for £5500 & had only 23500miles IIRC.
Finally, for the non belivers, here a photo taken this morning as I arrived at work of the FCD for my daily commute, I reset the trip every time I set off. The drive to work is a combination of 40mph road, peppered with roundabouts & a small stretch of the M5. In the 40 limit I do 40, on the M5 I do 70, not "driving Miss Daisey", just predicting the traffic, gentle acceleration, avoiding braking hard.
What are these like as mile munchers?
Can you sit at 70mph for 50 miles and it glides along serenely? Or are your senses being battered as the car screams at the limit of its ability, being buffeted down the road by over taking lorries and excessive road noise?
I'm considering the possibilities for a shed commuter.
Can you sit at 70mph for 50 miles and it glides along serenely? Or are your senses being battered as the car screams at the limit of its ability, being buffeted down the road by over taking lorries and excessive road noise?
I'm considering the possibilities for a shed commuter.
Agent Orange said:
What are these like as mile munchers?
Can you sit at 70mph for 50 miles and it glides along serenely? Or are your senses being battered as the car screams at the limit of its ability, being buffeted down the road by over taking lorries and excessive road noise?
I'm considering the possibilities for a shed commuter.
At 70mph there is little engine noise due to the VERY tall gearing, road noise is slightly worse than your run of the mill Mundaneo etc. At 70mph, lorries shouldn't be passing you!!! But buffeting is OK, just avoid the inside lane if it's been destroyed by HGX track, as the car can wander a little on these, partially due to the LRR tyres, partially due to the fact that the rear track is about 7" narrower than the front to allow the pronounced teardrop shape, especially noticeable when viewed from above.Can you sit at 70mph for 50 miles and it glides along serenely? Or are your senses being battered as the car screams at the limit of its ability, being buffeted down the road by over taking lorries and excessive road noise?
I'm considering the possibilities for a shed commuter.
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