BoxheadTim
BoxheadTim UltimaDork
4/16/15 10:10 a.m.

I'm looking for a potential "airport car"/backup commuter and I've toyed with the idea of a 1st gen Insight for a while. They're not that hard to find over in CA, but before I waste a day looking at one or two I figured I'd ask the hive...

The main one is - I know the luggage "tray" area isn't that big due to the batteries being underneath it. To be useful as an airport car I need enough space to stick a "full size" suitcase and ideally a second small suitcase in there. Full-size meaning, well, a normal suitcase, not a steamer trunk.

Also, I assume they're pretty DIY-able, right? There seems to be a lot of info on the 'net that actually looks like it's useful and not "my first car repair video".

2002maniac
2002maniac Dork
4/16/15 11:14 a.m.

There was just a thread about these yesterday. I've always liked them. There's one for sale in Salt Lake City with 300+k on it for $3000. It has a recently rebuilt transmission which is apparently one of the only weaknesses of the car.

bigev007
bigev007 Reader
4/16/15 11:37 a.m.

The danger of an Insight for an airport car is that the IMA battery hates sitting. Let it sit more than 3-4 weeks and it's dead within a year. This probably gets worse as it ages.

BoxheadTim
BoxheadTim UltimaDork
4/16/15 11:46 a.m.

I'd probably use it like I did use the CRX - it'll sit around for a week or two, but on average get used at least once a week to get to work/Costco/Whole Foods etc.

clutchsmoke
clutchsmoke Dork
4/16/15 1:27 p.m.

The hatch area will definitely fit your cargo requirements. Good cars, apparently the synchros get crunchy.

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