What to Buy: 2000–2006 Honda Insight

From the October 2022 issue of Car and Driver.

The first-generation Honda Insight is the kind of modern collectible you can feel good about driving. While quirky enough to draw glances at a Cars & Coffee, it is nonetheless ludicrously thrifty to fuel and environmentally friendly. The teardrop styling and the spats over the rear wheels give it the look of a science experiment, but underneath, the driving experience is typical Honda—the Insight is reliable, light on its feet, and more engaging with a manual transmission.

Value

Part of the Insight’s appeal is its rarity, as global sales barely broke 17,000 over seven years. That means they come up for sale only sporadically. Condition is far more important than mileage, especially as Insight ownership is more about a unique driving experience than investment potential. Expect to pay above $10,000 for a manual-transmission version in good condition. CVT-equipped models sell for less; $7500 is enough money to buy a low-mileage example.

Engine

All first-gen Insights came with a 1.0-liter inline-three paired with Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system. The debut car with the five-speed manual made 73 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 91 pound-feet of torque from 2000 rpm—useful on city streets. From 2001, a continuously variable automatic transmission was available, though with torque slightly reduced. Really, the five-speed is the one you want for its outstanding EPA highway fuel economy, which was originally 70 mpg on the window sticker (70!).

Problem Areas

Electrification pessimists gripe about potential battery replacement, and their concerns are valid in the case of the Insight. The battery packs last about a decade and decay much faster if the car spends a lot of time parked. A new pack can cost upwards of $2000, but DIY refurbishment is possible. Catalytic-converter failure is another costly fix, and the second-gear synchro on the manual transmission is a weak point. Because of the age of the car and the small but enthusiastic owner community, many of these issues may have already been dealt with.

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