Honda Inshite - now collected - the end.

[Asimo]

The boot is a bit dissapointing, but the Honda is replacing an MR2 roadster so in comparison, it is a huge improvement.

 

The gearing is taking a lot of getting used to. Feels like an old 3 speeder but with two overdrive gears. It is happiest when being thrashed but the "change up" light is on all of the time! The engine is very quiet and after a life time of four cylinder cars, the three cylinders' low frequency vibes seem a calming treat.

 

I recall Setright writing of the 2CV that it was more satisfying thrashed than driven for economy and at the moment I am thinking the same of the Honda, but still getting amazing mpg numbers.

 

Received an Ebay package today, an original 1999 Honda press-kit for the Insight for which I was the sole bidder. Need a factory workshop manual next.

 

Metronomy CD ordered!

[forddeliveryboy]

Congrats, these are mega-shite. Only appreciated by some engineers/petrolheads and those who have to have summit different. I've long lauded them to little response, would love one. Beautifully made, beautifully engineered. Just don't prang the beautiful ally shape!

 

Can't remember exactly where I read it, but seem to remember it will run a lean mixture, up to 25:1. Some guy modded the TPS so that the ECU wasn't as reactive to throttle movements regarding richening the burn.

[forddeliveryboy]

http://www.autospeed.com/cms/article.html?&A=112735

[Danblez]

http://www.autospeed.com/cms/article.html?&A=112735

 

Interesting stuff. This will be the shiters way of tuning up any car in the not too distant. How boring compared to a proper bit of mechanical engineering!

[xtriple]

Problem with Inshites is you get paranoid about fuel economy! Not something I've ever been remotely interested in, so long as it's got fuel in it I'm happy! But, with my new toy (yes, I know it's not a 'proper' Inshite) I'm suddenly watching fuel economy like a fookin' hawk! Went to Totnes yesterday down all the back lanes (narrow, twisty and hilly, not ideal for fuel consumption) and got stuck in a traffic jam and was pleased with 63.8mpg.

 

Today, just on a two mile run from cold, 45. something but I wasn't happy.... I've found myself driving differently, gentle throttle and brakes (braking recharges the batteries) and coasting down hills with no throttle and 150mpg showing - love it!

 

I really like the Mk1s (have I said that before?) and admire the engineering and different way of thinking. They should have sold better over here but we are a reactionary lot and prefer bloody diesels... which I cannot stand!

 

Yes, they do go into 'lean burn' mide but I believe the criteria is quite specific, mk2s don't though....

[Asimo]

That Autospeed article is interesting, very easy to try too. However tonights job involves locking wheel nuts and the spats over the rear wheels.

 

 

Locking nuts all work, lots of copper grease has been used on hubs. Dropped special screws for holding spats on into gravel, long (successful) search required. 

[Asimo]

Put the engine cover, air filter box and tubes through the dishwasher, smarter now.

 

 

Fair bit of work needed to repair the undertray.

 

 

I have thrown these away on other cars when they have started to fall apart like this but I am going to sort it.

 

 

Need to get a load of these things for a start.

 

[Asimo]

On the ramps

 

[320touring]

Well bought!

 

very highly regarded car in fuel economy circles, and believed to be a decent steer all round. they're also unusually focused for a mainstream manufacturer and should be lauded as such. The prius took a different approach to the same key principals, without as much dedication to achieving them.

 

If you have battery pack issues there are a few people out there who have carried out DIY refurbs, including rebuilding and balancing the separate battery packs.

[meshking]

Oh lovely! I've been drooling over a few on tradecarview, but not plucked up the courage.

[philibusmo]

I really need to stop looking at this thread. Each new post makes me want a MK1 Insight more and more - preferably in that bright Kermit green.

[tooSavvy]

 

Nice.... when the battery/will to live finally unshoulders this mortal coil we can look forward to a proper 'Viking' dispatch..??

 

I have first dibbs blowing that humongous horn, mind

 

 

Muchlikeingness

 

 

TS

[Jim Bell]

Awesomeness.

[Asimo]

 The seats are disgustingly stained, something has to be done.

 

Remove the covers. Into the washing machine on 30deg. handwash cycle. Dry for two days.

 

Straightforward, about an hour to dismantle, about the same to re-fit.

 

Looking cleaner now!

 

 The seat faces were clipped to the frame with about 30 wire rings which are cut off 

 

(careful not to leave bits of wire in the seat foam) 

 

and replaced by cable ties when it all goes back together. 

 

Now to do the other seat.

 

Weird, the carpets and headlining are really clean, just both seats were stained like tramps knickers

 

 

[danthecapriman]

Nice job on the seats, they came up really well. Strange that they were so grubby when the rest looks good!

 

I love the homemade ramps too!

[KruJoe]

^ What he said - well done, they look brill.

 

I'd be tempted to swap the cloth over between the front seats to minimise the wear showing on the driver's side. But it seems they'll be mint when you're finished anyway

[406V6]

Great job on the seats. When you look them up on Howmanyleft they are rare things. Rarer in this country than a C6, Avantime or a Tagora in the early 80s.Well done for taking it on.

[Asimo]

Grrr, can't get the driver's seat out because one of the bolts has rounded off. Threadlock and under-sized bolt heads are NOT helpful Mr. Honda.

 

Might go for a drive instead. Can't see the stains when I am sat on them.

[jonny69]

I don't know how I missed this thread, because I bloody LOVE these things and it was high on my list if I got a daily driver to go alongside the Anglia. There's a metallic lime/gold one locally here which has been around for years.

 

There was a guy on the OcUK forums who had one for a number of years. I'm not sure if he changed the battery in his or if he just got it conditioned but, as I understand it, it's basically like a big box of D cell NiMh batteries and when they get old they get out of balance with each other. You can get the battery stripped and the cells charged individually which can significantly improve the battery performance. When they get older they also lose the ability to hold charge for any significant length of time, so unless you use the car every day you lose the advantage that the battery gives because you spend a lot of the journey charging the battery back up.

 

I'm looking forward to following this thread and now want one more than ever. I should have bought one when I last saw one come up for sale, because they were a bit cheaper but more importantly you just never see them come up for sale!

[meshking]

I've been watching a few in tradecarview, seem to be a reasonable price landed in blighty. Just sucks to have to pay ved on it whilst probably being more eco than a Prius.

[Asimo]

All of the Grey import ones I have seen advertised have been CVT autos. Tax on mine is £145 more than an 02 onwards one, which is £0. The SVA tax thing does work both ways though, £200 ish for that 4 litre Toyota Century.

[Asimo]

I have done a couple of thousand miles now and am beginning to get the hang of driving it. Although I have never taken much notice of fuel consumption (economy has so many more important factors), it is curiously rewarding to eke out a tank full at 75+mpg. But driving like that is hard work so 60mpg when thrashed is quite acceptable day to day.

The worst bit is the steering which is stiff and dead feeling; like other electric-PAS Hondas that I have driven but quite a lot worse.

The assistance works normally, it is just horrid to use. There is much in the InsightCentral forum about how poor the steering is. The prefferred fix is to revert to manual steering but that involves hacking up the rack to get rid of the motor and gears so I better be sure it is a keeper before doing that!

 

The engine is noisy in a "piston-slap"sort of way. Once again, reading through the forum suggests "they all do that sir" but I am used to modern engines being mechanically quiet so 'tis hard not to worry about the noise. But it uses no oil and still indicates the expected max speed so it can't be serious engine wear. Many of these cars are said to have done enormous mileages whilst sounding like they are worn-out.....

 

The mot has now expired and before I submit it to the indignity of inspection I better fix the airbag light. 

 

Which means removing trim to find connectors and wires.  

Which meant removing seats.

When I found a damp patch. Which lead me to a leak in the roof seam.

Which I have bodged for now with gaffer tape.

The water from the leak has been running into the area where all the hybrid electronics and battery are but since all of that still works normally I think I must have found the leak in time. Repairing it properly involves removing the large plastic moulding that goes from screen to tailgate above the door to disguise the roof seam. This will have to wait for warm dry times so I hope the gaffer tape lasts out the rainy season.

 

Another on-going job is sorting the wipers. The swept area was wrong and when I took the wiper arms off it was obvious that the spindle bearings were worn out.

The wiper spindle assemblies list at about £100 all in for a pair so I have dismantled them for rebuild instead and ordered some catalogue plastic bearings which should do the job.

 

 

Horrible quantity of crud under the plastic windscreen cowl.

[twosmoke300]

A lot of Honda engines sound like they have terrible piston slap. The 1.5 economy vtecs were terrible for it but they keep on going. High compression and a light construction are the main culprits I think

[Lacquer Peel]

It's a cylinder short of a 4-pot as well.

[dollywobbler]

It's a cylinder short of a 4-pot as well.

 

This is a good thing.

[montytom]

Great thread please keep us updated. I have a soft spot for these cars and I think you can buy replacement batteries that are more powerful than the current honda ones for about £1200 if they fail.

Great cars love em

[xtriple]

Yep, me to. I love this car and keep looking at them with a view to buying one. I do love my modern version (it really grows on you as they are 'different' to drive) but an old one is soooo interesting technically.

[hairnet]

GR12 thread

[HH-R]

It's probably just water has gotten on to the seats to make them look like that, FIAT seats are notorious for it.

 

Mine was OK when I bought it but dropped some pie grease and tomato sauce on the driver's seat one day when I was having my lunch (parked), had the make the decision of having it looking like I've slopped food or washing it and making it look like I've pissed my pants. It now looks like I've pissed my pants.

[fordperv]

Saw a grey inshite today on the a500, made me smile because I was looking at this thread yesterday and said to mrs fp that you don't see these in the wild.