2000 Honda Insight

Hatchback

1.0L 3 Cylinder Gas/Electric Hybrid

Manual

JHMZE1359YT003106

Front Wheel Drive

Gasoline

Power Windows

2000 Honda Insight. VIN JHMZE1359YT003106. I am the 2nd owner of 2 ½ years. This car runs and drives well and has always been very reliable. It has the common transmission issue detailed below, the clutch works excellent. There are no check engine lights or IMA lights and the OBD2 emission status is green. It drives very strait, and brakes strait and smooth. The hybrid system functions as it should, the IMA system charges and assists smoothly. The AC blows cold and heat work well. The lifetime mileage is 50.9 mpg. I have been getting around 55 mpg around town lately and typically range from 50-60 depending on mostly on AC usage. The mpg computer is very accurate (compared to our optimistic Prius and Civic Hybrid). The tires are matching OEM bridgestones RE92s, but they're about 80% worn and should be replaced soon. This decision can be up to the new owner but they will be fine for a short while. I added a Rostra cruise control with wireless steering wheel remote. There is a clear Texas title in my name. It’s registered until the end of this month and inspection is good until the end of July. I would not hesitate to drive it anywhere. Have been hanging onto it as 3rd car but needed a backseat and just got a Civic Hybrid so have not been driving this one as much lately. It is surprisingly fun to drive. I tried to take as detailed pictures as I could and obviously with the age and mileage it’s not perfect so I will try be honest as possible about issues with car below. The transmission has the common sychro issue where 1st and 2nd gear grinds when downshifting. The up shifting works fine. An extra transmission is included in unknown condition. My plan was to swap in the spare transmission and have the original one rebuilt. It had this issue when I purchased the car and it never got any worse the whole time. Thus it never became a priority and never made time to tackle it. If you're really brave you can tear down and repair it yourself as the details are in the included factory manual. I was getting IMA battery codes late last year so I took the IMA battery apart and during the month of January 2012 I inspected/reconditioned the sticks per common methods using MRC Superbrain 989’s. There where a handful of sticks that were measuring low capacity but after cycling the snot out of them they began working similar to the others. I was careful to let the questionable sticks sit for a week or so in between cycles runs to ensure they held up. The whole IMA system is currently working better than it was when I first got the car, and have been driving the car as much as possible the last few months to make sure it’s holding up. My plan was to replace the questionable sticks, but could not find matches for sale at the time and just wanted to get car put back together. I have installed a Futomo oil drain valve on the magnesium oil pan as the threads were starting to get weak. The EGR valve works well and the system operates smoothly. There is no bucking or hesitation. I have kept the passage plate between the intake manifold and head clean (its common for these to get clogged) I replaced the 5-wire main oxygen sensor when I first got car. The valves seem noisy when the engine is cold but quiet down when it heats up. I’m guessing this may be common as older civics I have owned in the past behaved similarly. The windshield was replaced 2 ½ years ago, the glass is clear. There is a small crack about 1” right where the mirror attaches, but you really can’t see it because it hidden by the mirror. Wiper blades could use replacing soon. Both power windows go up and down well. The power mirrors work fine. The driver side headlight is cloudy and the built in marker light is currently out. The passenger headlight is perfectly clear. The trim piece around the passenger door is coming up a little. I painted the rear spoiler a while ago because it was badly sun damaged but the paint is cracking so it could use attention. The interior is very clean for its age and mileage. The steering wheel material is worn, it looks worse in the pictures than it actually is. There is a small crack in instrument cluster cover which happened when I fixed the power window switch. Some wear on the drivers seat, but not worn through. Small age appropriate scuffs and scratches. The car has a slight odor as first owner seemed to have a large light haired dog that must of spent a lot of time in the car as I have spent some time cleaning out the hair from the carpets, seats, etc. It’s not horrible like a car that’s been smoked in, just something that is noticeable, especially the more humid it becomes and the "wet dog" scent becomes apparent. I'm sure it can be resolved more with more effort. The stereo is a basic Dual XR4110 media receiver. I changed the annoying blue LED out for orange ones to match the interior lights. There are infinity front and rear speakers. Also there is a small amp and subwoofer in the empty corner of the rear storage area. The amp power is just on a 12v outlet cord as I never got around to running a wire to the battery. The whole system sound great for how basic it is. Also I only have 1 key and 1 remote Included stuff: Spare transmission, 2000-06 Honda Insight factory shop manual on a USB stick, plastic engine cover (just left it off to keep an eye on things), extra oil filter, instructions/paperwork for cruise, some misc. parts Feel free to ask any questions, Thanks!