Well, it finally happened. I know I talked about it alot before, but never really acted on it.

I spotted a cherry Insight on the Honda lot Thursday night. We dont see too many Insights for sale around here, so its a bit unusual. Well I stopped in today, had them take a look at my MINI, and they gave me a price I liked, and I got a great price on the Insight.

So tomorrow morning, i'll be picking up my Insight, and dropping of my MINI to traverse the used car lot for the first time in about 2 years. I left alot of the parts on the car, I just didnt feel like taking most fo them off. The entire stereo system, the $1000 MINI Mania header and cat, the pulleys, the GSR wheels, and so much more. The car will be going on the lot soon and it will probably be up for a steal. The car went 13.94 @ 98 as it sits, so its a pretty quick car.

I hope the person that buys the car enjoys it as much as I have.

I dont plan on going anywhere, I like it here, i'm just going to be lurking alot more like i have been latey. I still have a crapload of stuff to sell that I got off the car, so keep an eye open in the marketplace.

The MINI will be for sale at Honda of Mentor, Ohio. http://www.hondaofmentor.com

 

A Honda Insight? Like this?



Thats a change.

 

i highly doubt the mini will be on sale for a steal...

 

hahah oh man....finally sold it eh? Glad you got a good deal

Did you happen to keep the taillights for me?

 

Better you than me.. Have a friend who got caught up in the Hybrid madness when it first started. He nearly bought one of those California-only GM (Saturn?) electric cars, but went for an Insight instead.

He told me later that he hated every minute that he spent behind the wheel.

Here's food for thought... from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Insight

Replacement battery pack cost

Since the Insight's introduction, many have wondered what costs an Insight owner would face if the car's NiMH battery pack needs replacing. As of October 2006, Honda is paying the replacement cost of these batteries on cars with up to 150,000 miles of use. As of September 2007, one dealer quote is US$5000. :impatient

 

Five thousand dollars? Wow - that's 65,000 miles' worth of $3/gallon gas in a 40MPG conventional car.

I guess it would all depend on how long the battery packs end up lasting, but if they only last 125,000-150,000 miles, the replacement cost would pretty much eat up all the money you saved on gas over the years:

non-hybrid: 150,000 miles at 40MPG, $3/gallon - $11,250

hybrid: 150,000 miles at 70 MPG, $3/gallon, plus $5000 battery pack - $11,428

 

ORLY?

they also mention that the car has been very reliable until this point

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...OL14/710070663

 

Trust me, i'm not buying it to be one of those tree hugging, eco friendly people. If anyone knows me, they know i'm the exact opposite.

I know the cost of a battery, I have a quote in writing from the dealer in case I ever need one, and its less than $3000. I got the extended waranty past 150K miles for $595 up front. If it ever does go bad, and i'm not under warranty, I'm fine with the cost of a new battery.

Ive been loving every minute of it so far, its a really fun car to drive. At under 1900 lbs, its a fun feeling to throw it around a bit. It feels alot like my old Karmann Ghia, and it has about the same power, at 67 horsepower.

 

There's something fun about throwing around a lightweight, low-powered car. I think my '72 MGB had about 78 SAE net horsepower on a good day, and it was 300 pounds heavier than your Insight.

 

Definately a change....but umm Good luck I suppose. At a loss for words beyond that

 

I bet it's just so you could finally get rid of that rear wheel gap Cheater

So are you modding this thing.....or just using it as a daily driver while you work on the other cars?

 

Im planning on modding, but just a visual mods and stereo car, i'm going for mileage instead of power with this one.

First step; slam it and get some wheels.

 

Hhahahaha sick.....I was just thinking you should make it a crazy stereo car with some 12's in it.

Let me know when you wanna hang out and get some work done....I'm back in Ohio and don't have much work to do

 

Sounds like a plan man, lemme know when your free.

I have school Mon-Thurs 7:30 till 2ish every week, after that im free.

 

Hey Rick, those are pretty neat little cars. I can see you rewinding the electric motor to go drag racing. Have fun & good luck with the new car. Tree Hugger.... Sorry I couldn't help myself.

 

I was thinking of getting a licence plate to clear this up with other people, as I am not a tree hugger.

IH8TRES

 

You hate tires?

 

damn, i guess it does look like that.

I need one of those - thingies over the E to make it work.

 

cheaper option

http://cgi.ebay.com/TREE-HUGGERS-SUC...QQcmdZViewItem

 

thats awesome, im buying one.

 

Interesting to say the least. I will never sell my car. Even if its totaled, it will become art, or a fine sitting/music listening room.

 

Wow, that's a big change. Good luck with the insight.

 

WOW.....best of luck

 

Hey Rick, you have a wonderful base there for a counterfeit MINI project. A couple of bonnet stripes, some driving lights & who'd know the difference?

I'll envy you each time I fill my tank.

 

Neat. I like the Insight - another example of an engineering idea and Honda taking it to the Nth degree. I just happened to see one the other day in the grocery store lot. My commute is mostly hwy and I need to carry more, so I went with a TDI.

I think I would have fun driving a car like that, though... trying to squeeze every mpg I could out of it... With the TDI, I seem to get the same mpg no matter how I drive it... kinda boring...

If MINI brings over the R56 S with the engine shut-off system, I might be tempted... Fun driving for mileage... with the option of having fun not driving for mileage...