2000 Honda Insight

Hatchback

1.0L 3 Cylinder Gas/Electric Hybrid

Manual

JHMZE1350YT001616

Front Wheel Drive

Hybrid-electric

Power Windows

This is a 2000 Honda Insight. It has a 5-speed manual transmission. We purchased this vehicle in May, 201l, for the sole purpose of commuting to work in the HOV lane. However, my husband doesn't make that commute but 2 or 3 times a month now. Additionally, we are a family of 10 and this is a 2-seat vehicle. My husband loves this car but between our family size and his lack of driving it as it should be, we are reluctantly selling it. When we purchased the car, we installed new rotors and brake pads in the front, new rear engine mount, new 12-volt battery, new cabin air filter, changed transmission fluid and several other little things that had come up in a Honda Certified inspection. We were told that it had a software glitch that Honda says gives a false catalytic converter code. They said that it is a known issue and as we do not have emissions where we live, it was a non-issue. Additionally, we had a second key made (which was $45 since there is a chip in the key.)The previous owner had let the car sit for a few months without being driven. Now the IMA battery is not working properly and we believe that it needs to be reconditioned. From our research, this should cost in the range of ($900-$1300.) We have found that you can reset the IMA by disconnecting the 12v battery for a short time and then reconnecting it. Then the car works perfectly until the IMA light comes on again. When the IMA light is on, there is no charge or assist, but it still runs.Paint has chipped on the nose of the car and there is a dent in the left rear quarter panel. The driver's seat is worn so we covered it with a new seat cover. Small <1" crack on windshield under the rear view mirror.The car does not have the original radio but it has a MUCH nicer CD/radio. (Owner's manual for this in glove compartment.)We have been averaging 60 mpg.On Oct-26-11 at 08:31:34 PDT, seller added the following information: Here is further clarification about the IMA: It runs for quite some time with the IMA light on. We went up to Hagerstown, MD and back in it (approx 120 miles round trip and got 66 mpg on the trip) and the light has been on for two weeks. When it comes on I keep running it until the IMA charge indicator drops to zero bars. Then I keep going until the red "Brake" and 12v battery annunciators come on. Then I keep going for 30 minutes or so. This gives plenty of time to get where you are going. I will then take the positive lead off the 12v battery for 60 sec (I carry a 10mm wrench), reconnect it (this resets the system and codes), start the car, and run the engine at approx 3500 rpm to charge the IMA back up. After this I drive off and it works normally for somewhere between 1 day and a couple of weeks after which I rest it again as needed. A minor hastle but if the car had 5 seats I wouldn't be selling it. I'd just keep running it.