Honda Insight?
 

Anyone ever own one of the older insights? I'm thinking about sadly trying to sell the cabriolet and get one of these. Regardless if I move or not I really cannot afford the less than great mpg of the cabriolet.


or maybe just get a TDi and keep my man card

Member frosty owns one... http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/off-topic-discussion/294545-who-here-drives-hybrid.html?highlight=honda+insight

I think a good TDI will be better in the long run (don't have to worry about batteries), and girls love Jettas. At least they're not butt ugly like the Insights. A good question would be whether you are mostly city or mostly highway. An older TDI will hit 50mpg on the highway, the insight will hti that in the city.

Get a TDI.....if know how to drive efficiently you looking north of 45MPG easy.
My everyday transport is 2002 5sp Golf and over the last 17 months my average is 52.7 MPG. Enough said.... :D

I drive probably 80-85% highway.

The cabriolet is sellable now that the top hydraulics are rebuilt and not leaking. It's in great shape (I need to repair the odometer.. yar).

don't go newer then 03 on the tdi go with the manual trans and make sure the timing belt and rollers have been done.

In this case TDI is the only way. In simple terms, Stay under 2200 RPM, accelerate slowly, learn your route, avoid harsh stops, fast accelerations. Power band is between 1800 to 2300, stay on top gear as much as you can (if manual), pump your tires 25% more of recommended, just seat back and relax. If you can drive smooth you will see 50 MPG with not even trying too hard. :D
If you need info what to look for drop me PM and I will try to give you as much info as I can and help you buy a good one.;)

I've read a lot about high mpg TDi's. Thanks I'll pm you if I have a question

I know about the timing belt(water pump, other timing components), but rollers? what do you mean?



I'd like a 5 speed golf TDi at least a 99-2002 (those are the good years apparently). I'll just have to learn how to drive a 5 speed better than I can now. The hard part of all of this will be selling the cabriolet and finding a golf locally

I have found a few insights

I second that, if you can find mark 3 is even better, very simple to look after and you still looking 50 + MPG

I like the MKIII, what year were those out?

I would like for the car to have OBDII so I can run a scangauge

The manual is not hard to drive, consider the fact that your gear changes are far and few between because of the torque available from very low RPM, you idle on 900 and the torque is available from 1750 RMP, the engine revs out at 4300/4450 so the best is to keep it around 2000 RPM, this is why you don't need to change gears so often. If you drive at let say 1900 RPM (just under 60MPH) and you need to overtake, just put your foot down, you will be amazed how fast the car pulls. 50 to 70 MPH is faster than Golf GTI :D

Everything after 1995 got OBDII. Golf changed from MK3 to MK4 during the years 99/2000 so if you find a good well looked after 1997/99 don't let it slip. Don't be afraid from 200K + cars if they are well looked after. The rollers are called pulleys as well, I am sure now you know what he meant on the earlier post.
It is important to verify that the water pump has been replaced as well.
I know that it is hard to find one, but look around and you will. Some of them are with 100K timing belt kit, so if everything is done you looking for at least 80000 trouble free miles.
My Golf is just over 145K and it is strong as new :) I've replaced the ORIGINAL clutch at 142K :D
I know guys with Jettas on the north side of 400K .

Fail. ;)


I have been commuting in an SL600. O_O

You need a Civic or Corolla, something that you can forget about for 3-4 years and finish school.

Get the Insight. Cheaper fuel, better mileage, more reliable than anything VW has built in the last 20 years. The Mexican MK4 Jetta is a total chick car.