RE: Honda Insight: You Know You Want To
Discussion
Max_Torque said:
This could be interesting with the FoMoCo 3cyl Eco-boost engine fitted!
No, you wouldn't get 100mpg, but i reckon mid 70's would be on, and with 150bhp (boost wound up a bit) it would be lively ;-)
I know what you're saying, but if you were going to ALLLLL that effort to change the engine, you'd be so much better off fitting the K20a and having 220hp NA sweetness and still get 60mpg and goodness knows how quick that is at 850kg...No, you wouldn't get 100mpg, but i reckon mid 70's would be on, and with 150bhp (boost wound up a bit) it would be lively ;-)
AND you know it's possible already!
I've always loved these, but remain in the 'a bit ugly' camp... But it's ONLY because of the rear wheel spats. If it had proper rear arches, it would evoke the CRX properly and be a totally lovely looking thing. As it is, I just can't get past them bits.
Edited by AntiguaBill on Tuesday 18th June 18:05
exceed said:
Tell me more about the upgrades, where, what and how please? No stupid K20 drops, I've got a DC5 for 9000rpm madness!
Get onto the www.insightcentral.net forum and look at manual ima control and current hacks for the motor for start etc.AntiguaBill said:
I know what you're saying, but if you were going to ALLLLL that effort to change the engine, you'd be so much better off fitting the K20a and having 220hp NA sweetness and still get 60mpg and goodness knows how quick that is at 850kg...
AND you know it's possible already!
I don't think you'd get 60mpg... a K20A in an Elise (similar weight, around 25% more drag) manages 40 if you're careful. AND you know it's possible already!
AntiguaBill said:
I've always loved these, but remain in the 'a bit ugly' camp... But it's ONLY because of the rear wheel spats. If it had proper rear arches, it would evoke the CRX properly and be a totally lovely looking thing. As it is, I just can't get past them bits.
Maybe it would, but I think changing the car's styling at the expense of fuel economy would be rather missing the point. kambites said:
Interesting that people don't like the looks. I think it's a wonderful looking car.
Those not familiar with aerodynamic studies generally dislike 'teardrop' cars. The current Civic Bagpuss, Bristol Fighter, the Chrysler Airflow, the Borgward 2400, Tatras...I could go on.Generally they prefer a morass of pointless slashes and squiggles and stupidly big wheels like most modern trendy rubbish.
The little Insect was truly innovative and I think pretty. As were most Hondas back then, to varying degrees. Then it all rather went to rats'...
I laughed at the earlier "Peugeot" comment! Ouch.
I know it's been a few months since I looked, and am being lazy not to look it up again right now, but I'm sure the K-sight gets 48 american mpg... Which is lets say high 50s in proper gallons. And I have no idea how they came up with that figure, so I was just guessing that if driven for economy you could hit 60mpg. Yes it's speculation but so is 70 from the FoMoCo!
As for Elise, well I don't think that has the same good aerodynamics as the Insight. You can average 40mpg in a DC5 if driven steady enough over a whole tank. Obviously if you start using the performance on tap then all figures are going to drop rapidly!
As for Elise, well I don't think that has the same good aerodynamics as the Insight. You can average 40mpg in a DC5 if driven steady enough over a whole tank. Obviously if you start using the performance on tap then all figures are going to drop rapidly!
AntiguaBill said:
As for Elise, well I don't think that has the same good aerodynamics as the Insight.
No it doesn't, as I said it's almost exactly 25% worse. I think with a K20A (and no hybrid gubbins) you might realistically expect to average 50mpg if driven gently. 60 might be possible slipstreaming lorries on the motorway.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 18th June 18:22
It's all a bagatelle really... can we just agree the Insight is a fantastic car and I love them dearly.
Oh, I found the page of the company that builds the K-sight (didn't notice if it was posted already sorry). They did say 48+ american mpg (which would be 57.6+ here).
They will build you one for 21 thousand american pounds (which would be 13400 pounds here if you could).
http://lhtperformance.net/documents/lht_k-sight.ht...
Oh, I found the page of the company that builds the K-sight (didn't notice if it was posted already sorry). They did say 48+ american mpg (which would be 57.6+ here).
They will build you one for 21 thousand american pounds (which would be 13400 pounds here if you could).
http://lhtperformance.net/documents/lht_k-sight.ht...
Very misleading title. I was hoping someone has put an NSX engine in an Insight.
I guess a K20 will have to do for now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoQbqdMCLHA
I guess a K20 will have to do for now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoQbqdMCLHA
I've been somewhat taken with these ever since I read about the one Mark Dixon of Octane wrote about his. They seem to have that rare thing many cars now lack - character. He never seems to say a bad word about his.
I'd never heard of them before reading Octane and cannot believe it was out back in 2000.
I'd never heard of them before reading Octane and cannot believe it was out back in 2000.
GTEYE said:
An interesting little car, and some way ahead of its time. Makes me sad that recent Hondas have lost the flair and innovation of this era. Almost a Japanese peugeot these days...
This!Edited by GTEYE on Tuesday 18th June 12:40
It makes me sad too that this is the direction they have gone in, back in the 80s and 90s Honda made some awesome machines with awesome technology. My generation of Civic, high output VTEC engines, sophisticated chassis design, the works!. Next generation Civic looses the awesome chassis, VTEC for most models became about fuel economy and mid-range torque rather than giving you the opportunity to wring it's neck to get some amazing HP/Litre figures
The Accord even had active engine mounts to eliminate the vibration you get from a torque converter/engine when holding an auto stationary, something that bugs me on every car. They told Borg Warner they were not going to pay a licence fee to develop the automatic gearbox, so just made their own by simply making an automatically shifting and synchronising manual transmission, mine is still working 13 years later with atf fluid that's still bright ruby red.
These guys seemed to be at the pinnacle of engineering but to hear the next Civic Type-R will be turbocharged is evidence of them becoming the "Japanese Peugeot" as GTEYE has said, Sad sad news
I must admit that when they came out I was too young to really 'get' them, but looking into them recently and the engineering is seriously impressive. A CVT would be just about the perfect commuter car I reckon.
I bought mine about 6 years ago at 70K miles and have put 135k on it since. I have to say I am completely in love with it. The quality of manufacture is incredible, you can get it serviced at any major dealer and still get most parts "off the shelf". The battery is starting to show the odd warning light so is past it best (although far from dead) but I cant really blame it for that after 205000 completely trouble free miles.
It is really great to drive, more "eager" than fast but in a fun way. I think any handling issues being talked about are down to the rock hard, thin tires that are oe - great for mpg, not much good otherwise. It has near 50/50 weight distribution is very light and low so I would love to try it with good tires - but of course that would be missing the point.... and I am far too tight!
I have been paid to own a car for my job for some time and when I add up what this has made me relative to say a Mondao company car we are talking thousands and thousands of pounds, i.e. it paid for itself outright in the first ten months, and if I add up all running costs baring fuel (but including insurance and an impeccable service regime etc)- and I include the grand and a bit I will pay for a new battery then that was covered in the first year and a half.
like I say, I love it and the money it has made me I have spent on other engine-y white elephants with a lot less guilt!
I did once have the 2nd gen 4 seater as a courtesy car - oh boy - my gast was flabered at how crap it was. You had to drive like a nun to get 60mpg where as I can get 75mpg every tank full not even trying - real step backwards....
Makes you wonder what is going on at Honda, no NSX type thing new Insight is like a Mondao but with more stuff to go wrong and they don't even have the s2000 any more!
Did once have 105 (registered) from the old girl (on private road - etc etc), rock steady
It is really great to drive, more "eager" than fast but in a fun way. I think any handling issues being talked about are down to the rock hard, thin tires that are oe - great for mpg, not much good otherwise. It has near 50/50 weight distribution is very light and low so I would love to try it with good tires - but of course that would be missing the point.... and I am far too tight!
I have been paid to own a car for my job for some time and when I add up what this has made me relative to say a Mondao company car we are talking thousands and thousands of pounds, i.e. it paid for itself outright in the first ten months, and if I add up all running costs baring fuel (but including insurance and an impeccable service regime etc)- and I include the grand and a bit I will pay for a new battery then that was covered in the first year and a half.
like I say, I love it and the money it has made me I have spent on other engine-y white elephants with a lot less guilt!
I did once have the 2nd gen 4 seater as a courtesy car - oh boy - my gast was flabered at how crap it was. You had to drive like a nun to get 60mpg where as I can get 75mpg every tank full not even trying - real step backwards....
Makes you wonder what is going on at Honda, no NSX type thing new Insight is like a Mondao but with more stuff to go wrong and they don't even have the s2000 any more!
Did once have 105 (registered) from the old girl (on private road - etc etc), rock steady
Sorry but on your deathbed you are NOT going to wish you had achieved higher mpg.
You are going to remember the great drives and they will not be in an Insight.
LPG a decent car and you will get reasonable mpg costs.
I understand that one might make sense in London but the thought of driving 100k in one - what a waste of time that could have been spent in something better.
You are going to remember the great drives and they will not be in an Insight.
LPG a decent car and you will get reasonable mpg costs.
I understand that one might make sense in London but the thought of driving 100k in one - what a waste of time that could have been spent in something better.
V8RX7 said:
Sorry but on your deathbed you are NOT going to wish you had achieved higher mpg.
You are going to remember the great drives and they will not be in an Insight.
LPG a decent car and you will get reasonable mpg costs.
I understand that one might make sense in London but the thought of driving 100k in one - what a waste of time that could have been spent in something better.
Spot on, chap. Not a petrolhead's motor at all. You are going to remember the great drives and they will not be in an Insight.
LPG a decent car and you will get reasonable mpg costs.
I understand that one might make sense in London but the thought of driving 100k in one - what a waste of time that could have been spent in something better.
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