1st Generation Honda Insight

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Randalla
Posts: 930
Joined: Fri May 24, 2019 8:58 am
Location: North Scottsdale

Re: 1st Generation Honda Insight

Post by Randalla »

Lisa and I headed out to Bartlett Lake yesterday and the little guy did good. This morning I changed out the rear engine mount, which is a known weak point on these cars causing the engine to rock back and forth and clunk under acceleration. The rubber and metal on the old mount had completely separated. Constantly amazed how easy these cars are to work on and how inexpensive to repair (except the battery if you need one.) Put well over a 100 miles on the car yesterday. The AC even does a good job of keeping up. Contemplating Dynamatting the interior to quiet road noise.
1967 1/2 Roadster- 1600 4 cyl.
1972 240Z- 280 I-6
1976 710 Wagon- L20B 4 cyl.
1977 620 King Cab - L18 4 cyl.
2003 350Z Track- VQ V-6
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L320-Dale
Posts: 340
Joined: Thu May 23, 2019 6:25 pm
Location: North Gilbert

Re: 1st Generation Honda Insight

Post by L320-Dale »

That's great! They are fun little cars.
Dale - Gilbert, Az
1965 L320 - Bamboo Tan / 1972 1200 - Sun-light Blue / 1970 240Z - Silver
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Randalla
Posts: 930
Joined: Fri May 24, 2019 8:58 am
Location: North Scottsdale

Re: 1st Generation Honda Insight

Post by Randalla »

My brother and I road tripped the Insight today (250 miles). We took the same route some of us drove on one of our recent runs. 60 east to the 177, south to Winkleman, then the 77 north into Globe for lunch at Guayo's, then back home. Today was a good test with a good number of fairly steep grades and hot temperatures. The car performed flawlessly and returned over 43 miles per gallon. Was hoping for a bit better MPG, but with my heavy foot and the AC on the entire trip I guess that's not too bad. I'd not seen another Insight since purchasing mine, but of all places, we saw a silver one parked at a residence in Superior.
1967 1/2 Roadster- 1600 4 cyl.
1972 240Z- 280 I-6
1976 710 Wagon- L20B 4 cyl.
1977 620 King Cab - L18 4 cyl.
2003 350Z Track- VQ V-6
AZhitman
Posts: 173
Joined: Sun May 26, 2019 8:05 pm

Re: 1st Generation Honda Insight

Post by AZhitman »

Little things make a huge difference in mpg on those...

Make sure the belly pan is intact and secured firmly, run the tires a little overinflated, and read up on lean-burn driving (the hypermiler forums are a rabbit hole of cool info). :)
58 P220, 63 PL312, 63 NL320, 64 SPL310, 66 411 2-door, 67 SPL311 stroker, 67 WRL411 stroker, 68 510 SR20, 72 S30 RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 89 S13 coupe, 92 SE-R, 97 D21, 98 S14.
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Randalla
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Joined: Fri May 24, 2019 8:58 am
Location: North Scottsdale

Re: 1st Generation Honda Insight

Post by Randalla »

Front belly pan is off the car currently and tires are set at 38 lbs. per spec. The tires are Michelins, not the OE Bridgestone low rolling resistance tires. I've read that running the OE tires can add up to 10 MPG.
1967 1/2 Roadster- 1600 4 cyl.
1972 240Z- 280 I-6
1976 710 Wagon- L20B 4 cyl.
1977 620 King Cab - L18 4 cyl.
2003 350Z Track- VQ V-6
AZhitman
Posts: 173
Joined: Sun May 26, 2019 8:05 pm

Re: 1st Generation Honda Insight

Post by AZhitman »

Yep, get a belly pan - I think there's a forum post that has a pdf plan so you can DIY it.
58 P220, 63 PL312, 63 NL320, 64 SPL310, 66 411 2-door, 67 SPL311 stroker, 67 WRL411 stroker, 68 510 SR20, 72 S30 RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 89 S13 coupe, 92 SE-R, 97 D21, 98 S14.
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Randalla
Posts: 930
Joined: Fri May 24, 2019 8:58 am
Location: North Scottsdale

Re: 1st Generation Honda Insight

Post by Randalla »

Had my fun with the Insight and have decided to sell it. Have improved it a lot. Pass the word to anyone you think may be interested. Thanks!
1967 1/2 Roadster- 1600 4 cyl.
1972 240Z- 280 I-6
1976 710 Wagon- L20B 4 cyl.
1977 620 King Cab - L18 4 cyl.
2003 350Z Track- VQ V-6
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Randalla
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Joined: Fri May 24, 2019 8:58 am
Location: North Scottsdale

Re: 1st Generation Honda Insight

Post by Randalla »

SOLD today! Gonna miss the little guy.
1967 1/2 Roadster- 1600 4 cyl.
1972 240Z- 280 I-6
1976 710 Wagon- L20B 4 cyl.
1977 620 King Cab - L18 4 cyl.
2003 350Z Track- VQ V-6
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insitu_az
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Posts: 213
Joined: Wed May 22, 2019 7:12 pm
Location: East Mesa

Re: 1st Generation Honda Insight

Post by insitu_az »

I'm sure you will miss that gas mileage. ;)
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Randalla
Posts: 930
Joined: Fri May 24, 2019 8:58 am
Location: North Scottsdale

Re: 1st Generation Honda Insight

Post by Randalla »

No doubt.
1967 1/2 Roadster- 1600 4 cyl.
1972 240Z- 280 I-6
1976 710 Wagon- L20B 4 cyl.
1977 620 King Cab - L18 4 cyl.
2003 350Z Track- VQ V-6
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