Automotive

INTRODUCTION

In order to put this story into its full PuristS context, I first confess that I purchased this car from another zealous watch collector, using cash liberated from the catch-and-release of a FP Journe Chronometre Souverain (shown here with my GO Senator Panorama Date Moon). Essentially, I swapped a watch for a car. That's not such a crazy thing to do... is it?

 

Here is the Insight Engine with IMA motor generator visible where the flywheel is normally located:

 
Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 de via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Honda_Insight_IMA.jpg#/media/File:Honda_Insight_IMA.jpg

 

The electronic controller units and battery pack are located behind the driver and passenger. High Voltage wiring is encased in ORANGE.

 

The activity of the system is clearly indicated on the cleanly-designed digital instrument panel, WITHOUT any nonsense found on newer hybrids, like curling tendrils of leaves, or little smiling pandas as you rack up the miles. The charge / assist gauge shows when energy is coming in and out through the hybrid system, and the fuel / bat gauges indicate the level of energy in each reservoir. A bar graph at the bottom center indicates instantaneous consumption (or generation), while the display above shows average fuel economy in metric or standard units. Two separate trip meters are provided.

Insight enthusiasts include a small sect known as "Hypermilers". These madmen (invariably male) have achieved over 150 mpg. The trip meters have been proven accurate within about 2%, so we Insight lovers need not calculate our mileage with pencil and paper.

 

This display shows the current lifetime fuel economy under all conditions (including a year without the hybrid system working).

 

GLAMOUR SHOTS

Here are a few photographs taken in different lighting conditions on our traffic-free business park road. Notice the aerodynamic features - tapering teardrop shape, wheel skirts, smooth surfaces, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

THE BATTERY PACK

The hybrid main battery includes 120 cells (1.5 v each) for a total of 144 volts. At approximately 8.5 years and 85,000 miles, our battery pack began to die, as indicated by a low state of charge, trouble codes, and decreased performance. Of course, due to Murphy's Law of Unintended Consequences, the warranty on the pack was 8 years and 80,000 miles. With no help offered by Honda, I gritted my teeth and ran the car for about a year without the battery working (spending my money on watches instead).

When I received my registration renewal notice last December, requiring the car to pass its first mandatory test (MOT), I had to bite the bullet and buy a new $2000 main battery. Upgraded from the original's 6 kWh to 8 kWh, it's still only 1/3 the capacity of the 24 kWh battery in my all-electric Fiat (and the Nissan Leaf).

Dealers charge about $2800-3000 for the battery and $600-900 for the labor to replace it. After watching the video online provided by the BumbleBee Battery company, I did the job in 2 hours start to finish. Money saved goes into the watch fund. If you are wondering what the payback is for the battery, based on fuel savings, it's about 90-100,000 miles. That's almost irrelevant, because without a new battery I'd have been forced to scrap the car, and it's still pretty darn nice. Honda Insights can easily survive over 250,000 miles.

The battery sits behind the passenger seat, in a foam cradle. The controller alongside takes care of charging, cooling, regeneration and a variety of other chores.

With some lifting assistance from my wife, I was able to swap the old battery out, the new battery in, and button everything back up.

 

Around town

I've done almost all of the Insight's driving, using it on local streets and highways, commuting back and forth to work. The car starts instantly, moves through regular traffic with no real problems except that people often don't see it -- or if they do, they don't mind cutting in front of you. It reminds me of the adage by which my driving instructor lived "Yield to Tonnage". With the Insight you must yield to virtually everything. 

A big plus, and one reason I bought the car, was the concession granted by California that it could be driven in the carpool lane even if you were alone in the car. That sadly expired after 6 years, so I had to take off my yellow stickers.

But you can drive the crap out of it and have fun, even though you are still relatively slow (0-60 in 12 seconds) by today's standards. The ride comfort is marginal due to very short wheel travel, primitive rear suspension, and low ground clearance (4.5 inches). The uniquely-sized Bridgestone tires use a very hard rubber compound for reduced rolling resistance, which doesn't improve their grip, but grip doesn't limit this car's performance.

Due to its low roofline and long doors, it's hard to get in and out. But it is easy to load things in the back. A few things. Light things. The Insight is sufficiently roomy for two (think Porsche Cayman size interior) however the total load capacity is 400 lbs. INCLUDING PASSENGERS. That's not much. And Honda wasn't kidding with that spec, either - the car bottoms out frequently with 2 passengers and little else (we weigh about 350 lbs combined).

Consider it a Vespa scooter with a full body kit, rather than a car.

 

Road Trips

It's not a great road car (although one nutter in my area has driven his across country about 20 times). Again, the Insight is too low and not very visible to large vehicles - or being small it is target for intimidation from larger vehicles. I am used to driving a Citroen which is MUCH slower, but it's given a bit more slack by impatient drivers because it looks old and cute. This one just looks goofy and slow and thus other drivers think it is being piloted by a tree-hugging hippie - not a good thing in the tree-free, 4x4 pickup-loving Southwest USA desert. 

Because the car was designed for urban use, the battery is easily discharged on a long hill. Say 3-4 miles and that's it. No more 80 hp; you are back to 67. And that means long hills coming out of the desert can require 3rd gear for 10-20-30 minutes at a time. In steep areas, even 2nd gear. That's ok if you are used to running in lower gears, but most US drivers today are NOT. The gentleman who sold me this car did so primarily because a trip from LA to Las Vegas and back took him literally hours longer than he expected.

We are embarking on another road trip next week, and if there's interest, I'll let you know how it goes. Using this little car out in the BIG country is a challenge.

MECHANICAL RELIABILITY & MAINTENANCE

In addition to the main battery pack, I have replaced the tiny 12V battery once, two sets of tires + one more (I damaged the sidewall), an air filter, set of plugs, and some front brake pads. It now needs a power window switch and some clips that have broken due to removal of the interior panels.  Overall, I consider it very reliable. It's never been to a dealer for service.

 

The metallic paint is faded and oxidized on the outside rear view mirrors. The blackened trim around the passenger side windows is peeling off the aluminum trim. There's a small hole worn in the driver carpet mat, and there are a few scratches on the front bumper from "parking-by-ear" incidents. 

 

The interior fabric and other components are holding up well, especially as the car has never been garaged in its 10 years.

 

The load area is covered by a piece of carpet on top of the aluminum shroud which protects the battery and electronics.

 

Below-the-floor storage space is perfect for covert watch purchases. The spare and jack are underneath this well.

 

Continuing with the history, our right passenger window was once broken out by a vandal. The insurance company took care of its replacement. An incredible 4 windshields have been broken by stones. It's so low it catches every pebble thrown up by passing vehicles. This is the car's Achilles heel! Finally, the aluminum left rear quarter panel was dented by an inattentive employee at the church we attend. It was carefully pushed back out and then polished very nicely by a "paintless dent magic" technician.

 


SUMMARY

Our 2006 Honda Insight is easy and fun to drive, achieves world-class fuel economy -- and in order to accomplish this Honda's efforts resulted in a wacky look at and car that is slightly uncomfortable to drive. Sales were relatively poor despite its efficiency and sophistication. Overall though, it's a fun vehicle that I intend to keep much longer (unless I find one of these gold ones for sale ...)

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