2001 Honda Insight

Hatchback

1.0L 3 Cylinder Gas/Electric Hybrid

Manual

jhmze137x1t000870

Clear

Front Wheel Drive

Hybrid-electric

Power Windows

This cute little Honda Insight gas/electric hybrid gets (or got) 56.4 mpg average over the quarter million miles it has been driven. The Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) battery has gone out for the second time. The first time was at 92,000 miles and was covered by the extended warranty. Now, Rusty Wallace Honda in Garland (Dallas) TX says it needs $2,700+ to replace the special battery in the back.The car drives fine without the IMA, however, it no longer charges the little (normal sized) battery under the hood that starts the car. If you don't have the $$$ IMA repaired, you will need to keep the little battery on a regular car battery charger about once a week or so.The big problem is that the "Check Engine" light is on, and will remain on until the battery is replaced. I've tried to get a waiver or some sort of exception from the Texas DPS (now DMV), but to no avail. They admit that hybrid owners are in a bad place. Because the "Check Engine" light is on, the car cannot be inspected in the Dallas/Ft Worth area. See the DPS web site for more information:http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/index.htmBasically, if you live in Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, Parker, Johnson, Ellis, Rockwall or Kaufman counties, you will not be able to get this car inspected. And yes, the inspection sticker has expired.The good news is that if you live in any other county in North Texas, or any location without a blanket "Check Engine Light" failure policy, you can get it inspected, no problem.The good news is that the car runs great, even without the IMA. Your mileage will probably not be as good as mine (56.4 mpg - not a typo - better than some motorcycles!). The car starts easily and does not leak any fluids. The A/C works great. Basically, a great two-seater for running around either on the highway or in the city. Tires are in good shape. There is no body damage, but the paint is showing its age.The fender skirts are not shown in the picture but ARE included. One of the little quarter-turn fasteners came loose on the road (two per side, four total) and the dealership wants $17.50 each, so I just took them off.The seatbelt and door-ajar lights are on in the photo because I just jumped into the driver's seat to take the picture of the dashboard. The "Check Engine", "IMA" and "Maint Reqd" lights stay on.This has been a great little car for me for the past decade. I bought it from Lute Riley Honda with ~4,000 miles on it. Seems it "wasn't fast enough" for someone's kid, so they traded it in on a S2000.It has a 5 speed manual transmission. It doesn't like to down-shift into first or second, but it has absolutely no problems taking off from a complete start. Synchronizer?The rear hatch no longer opens using the electric pushbutton from the outside. You can use the key to open it, but the gas shocks have given out and you must use something to keep it open. Free 2x4 included.The car comes with the original key with immobilizer chip, two remote controls for electric door locks, valet key and blank key (without the chip - used for making a copy - don't try to start the car with it!). It has electric windows but no cruise control. There is a cassette player + tuner that works just fine, with an Alpine 6 disc changer mounted in the back that has developed some problems. If you can get it to spit out the multi-disc cassette, I'd appreciate my CDs back.