Mk1 Honda Insight
Discussion
I know there's been a few threads in Readers' cars on Insights but I like them so here's another one.
I Sold the V70 last week, 1400 miles shy of 300000 miles and still going strong with only the A.C. packing up recently. New owner seemed happy with his £680 purchase.
That left a hole, my VW Transporter could, and is, used as daily driver but with constant work towards camper conversion it does spend some time off the road.
I've fancied a Mk 1 insight ever since I saw one race in the NW circa 2005, can't remember the particular series but it looked fantastic and so futuristic. Being an Engineer the geekyness of it appealed as does the engineering led approach that created it.
So what have I Bought? A 1999 JDM manual in Silver. 2 UK owners since import 2003, the first until 2012 then with it's previous owner until yesterday. Said previous owner was in his 80's and had 3 on the drive.
The good bits.
Working A.C. one of the few optional extras I believe, compressor replaced in 2012.
IMA battery replacement under Honda's extended battery warranty in 2008 along with the not insubstantial control unit.
Relatively recent wheel refurb which looks to be decent quality and fitted with matching Michelin Energy tyres.
Better than average interior and exterior condition.
The not-so-good bits.
Despite mostly Honda main dealer service history they have used Magnatec 10w-40 oil instead of the correct 0w-20 spec, makes my teeth itch thinking about it.
A few stuffs and blemishes on the paint.
Drivers seat has a water mark (insert old person incontinence joke here)
Brakes feel less than convincing.
It's green where it most certainly shouldn't be, linked to the fact it's been SORN for around 8 months.
Noise from behind glove box, possibly vent fan motor but sounds more like the compressor.
And that's about, took 13 hours to collect from deepest Wales but managed the return trip of 215 miles in just over 3 gallons despite one tyre at 18 psi when I checked it 200m from home.
Some pictures so far.
I started cleaning it, I'm no detailer but it's satisfying going round all the seals and recesses with a paint brush and degreaser.
I used a product called Dragons Breath. My GCSE Chemistry is 18 years rusty but looks like Potassium Permanganate, it reacts with iron fallout and works amazingly, below is after 2 shampoos and a clay cloth, the purple spots are the iron dissolving.
This carbunckle is a result of the JDM import requirement for a fog light, it will be replaced.
And that's where F1 stopped play.
I Sold the V70 last week, 1400 miles shy of 300000 miles and still going strong with only the A.C. packing up recently. New owner seemed happy with his £680 purchase.
That left a hole, my VW Transporter could, and is, used as daily driver but with constant work towards camper conversion it does spend some time off the road.
I've fancied a Mk 1 insight ever since I saw one race in the NW circa 2005, can't remember the particular series but it looked fantastic and so futuristic. Being an Engineer the geekyness of it appealed as does the engineering led approach that created it.
So what have I Bought? A 1999 JDM manual in Silver. 2 UK owners since import 2003, the first until 2012 then with it's previous owner until yesterday. Said previous owner was in his 80's and had 3 on the drive.
The good bits.
Working A.C. one of the few optional extras I believe, compressor replaced in 2012.
IMA battery replacement under Honda's extended battery warranty in 2008 along with the not insubstantial control unit.
Relatively recent wheel refurb which looks to be decent quality and fitted with matching Michelin Energy tyres.
Better than average interior and exterior condition.
The not-so-good bits.
Despite mostly Honda main dealer service history they have used Magnatec 10w-40 oil instead of the correct 0w-20 spec, makes my teeth itch thinking about it.
A few stuffs and blemishes on the paint.
Drivers seat has a water mark (insert old person incontinence joke here)
Brakes feel less than convincing.
It's green where it most certainly shouldn't be, linked to the fact it's been SORN for around 8 months.
Noise from behind glove box, possibly vent fan motor but sounds more like the compressor.
And that's about, took 13 hours to collect from deepest Wales but managed the return trip of 215 miles in just over 3 gallons despite one tyre at 18 psi when I checked it 200m from home.
Some pictures so far.
I started cleaning it, I'm no detailer but it's satisfying going round all the seals and recesses with a paint brush and degreaser.
I used a product called Dragons Breath. My GCSE Chemistry is 18 years rusty but looks like Potassium Permanganate, it reacts with iron fallout and works amazingly, below is after 2 shampoos and a clay cloth, the purple spots are the iron dissolving.
This carbunckle is a result of the JDM import requirement for a fog light, it will be replaced.
And that's where F1 stopped play.
Edited by ChocolateFrog on Sunday 28th May 13:49
Finished it's quick (relatively) once over. Paintwork comes up pretty well for an 18 year old.
Funny how hybrid philosophies have changed over 20 years and what the consumer will accept in the name of economy.
Interesting to note the 2016 hybrid (Citroen DS5) is almost bang on half the economy of Honda's first attempt.
Funny how hybrid philosophies have changed over 20 years and what the consumer will accept in the name of economy.
Interesting to note the 2016 hybrid (Citroen DS5) is almost bang on half the economy of Honda's first attempt.
Edited by ChocolateFrog on Sunday 28th May 18:01
I've always liked these for the quirky nature, the thing that always worried me was the early use of the technology but from what I can tell there are no really horror stories. Honda have always been good at this kind of engineering and managing to get it right first time.
Good proper PH choice of a car!
Good proper PH choice of a car!
poing said:
I've always liked these for the quirky nature, the thing that always worried me was the early use of the technology but from what I can tell there are no really horror stories. Honda have always been good at this kind of engineering and managing to get it right first time.
Good proper PH choice of a car!
I think we can safely say any niggles have well and truely been ironed out buy now. Good proper PH choice of a car!
Rifling through the huge wad of receipts throws up a few quirks. One is for a substantial bill from Honda to repair some front end damage, the car is HPI clear but I wouldn't have wanted to foot the bill. Looks like Honda did all the work and it doesn't extend past bumper, headlight and wing with associated fixings plus paint.
It explains why only one headlight is sundamaged (On the list to sort). I can't see anything else out of place and at least it was repaired at a main dealer, not that is hold much sway in that.
It explains why only one headlight is sundamaged (On the list to sort). I can't see anything else out of place and at least it was repaired at a main dealer, not that is hold much sway in that.
ChocolateFrog said:
Interesting to note the 2016 hybrid (Citroen DS5) is almost bang on half the economy of Honda's first attempt.
Wow, I thought I was the only person on this site to own a DS5 hybrid! 
Great thread OP, looking forward to further updates.
I used to have the Mk2 Insight. A very different car. More of a family hatch that happens to be a hybrid, than a pure economy machine. Really liked it.
I guess that the Volkswagen XL1 is the modern day descendant of the Mk1 Insight. But it's very expensive, and I think only a few were made (in fact I think it is no longer available?)
Honda seem to have fallen behind in hybrid tech. I believe that Honda don't sell hybrids at all in Europe, which is astonishing considering the direction of the market. I wish they would build something with the ethos of the Mk1 Insight - a car that is designed for ultra fuel economy to the exclusion of (almost) everything else.
AmitG said:
I believe that Honda don't sell hybrids at all in Europe, which is astonishing considering the direction of the market. I wish they would build something with the ethos of the Mk1 Insight - a car that is designed for ultra fuel economy to the exclusion of (almost) everything else.
The NSX? The new Accord is available as a hybrid...in the US. And I think the Civic may be coming soon. The Clarity is also available as a hybrid, plug-in electric and a fuel cell. No reason why they won't be available here sometime in the future.In fact the Clarity fuel-cell was supposed to be launched in the UK this year but Honda have went a bit quiet on this.
I've always fancied a ZE1 but there's never been any for sale locally.
Edited by mp3manager on Sunday 28th May 22:38
mp3manager said:
AmitG said:
I believe that Honda don't sell hybrids at all in Europe,
The NSX? The new Civic is available as a hybrid, plug-in electric and as a fuel-cell...in the US. No reason why they won't be available here sometime in the future.I just find it surprising. They have them in other markets as you say, but seem to be in no hurry to bring them to Europe. I remember reading an interview with the head of Honda UK where he said they will have them but not for a few years. Feels like a mistake to me, given that the Toyota hybrids are such massive sellers, and given the iconic status of the Mk1 Insight.
In fact, SWMBO just looked over my shoulder and correctly identified the OP's car as "one of those Honda things that hardly uses any petrol"
Cambs_Stuart said:
Really interesting car, but any worries about the age of the batteries on it?
I'm also a fan of the enclosed rear wheels.
If it fails then it works perfectly well without the hybrid assist. Honda warrantied them for 8 years mine was last changed in 2008 so we'll see how it lasts.I'm also a fan of the enclosed rear wheels.
AmitG said:
mp3manager said:
AmitG said:
I believe that Honda don't sell hybrids at all in Europe,
The NSX? The new Civic is available as a hybrid, plug-in electric and as a fuel-cell...in the US. No reason why they won't be available here sometime in the future.I just find it surprising. They have them in other markets as you say, but seem to be in no hurry to bring them to Europe. I remember reading an interview with the head of Honda UK where he said they will have them but not for a few years. Feels like a mistake to me, given that the Toyota hybrids are such massive sellers, and given the iconic status of the Mk1 Insight.
In fact, SWMBO just looked over my shoulder and correctly identified the OP's car as "one of those Honda things that hardly uses any petrol"
Whereas the mk1 insight was made in the same factory as the old NSX and S2000, japanese cars have been left behind in the intervening years, with a few exceptions granted.
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