all those decals add unnecessary weight - NOT A TRUE HYPERMILER

high-bread

Look at the ending clip starting at 11:02. I read a street sign which told me the location of your video. I found it on google maps and pinpointed where you were. On google street view I saw a speed limit of 25 MPH sign as you were crossing the bridge. You seemed a little fast for 25 MPH. I figured out landmarks in the video which I could gauge a distance you drove. Put the two points on google maps with a total of 167 ft traveled. I then played the video according to the two landmarks I placed, and I measured the time it took for you to cross those two points; 3.25 seconds roughly. Use the simple physics equation v=d/t, distance is 167/3.25 = 51.4 ft/s. Now a simple google search to change it to mile per hour... very roughly (accounting for error) 35 MPH. WHICH PUTS YOU AT 10 MPH OVER THE SPEED LIMIT. I shall call the police right away.

"Get upset about winter fuel mixes" as a Gen 1 insight owner, can confirm.

Okay, as a '00 Insight owner, I'd like to add a few things here. First, you *can* drive the Insight on only the gas engine by flicking a breaker on the hybrid battery, but it's questionable as to whether the IMA motor will properly act as an alternator (the Insight doesn't have one), or whether the 12-volt battery will just die a slow, agonizing death like mine did before I replaced the hybrid battery. Second, this car can be supremely fuel-efficient if you want to drive it like that, but if you're able to say "fuck it" and use it like it's a sporty car, it'll give you more joy in a man-machine-love way than almost any other front-wheel-drive shitbox. Put sport tires on it. It's a death-trap in the snow anyway. Replace the battery with an aftermarket Li-ion. I did, and the electric motor went from complaining like a high schooler whose mom wants to take them shopping for dress pants, to perky... like a small, excitable dog. It's a rare car that shines when you forget about what the engineers designed it for. Third, the transmission feel is pretty garbage, but I'm sure there's someone on InsightCentral who's been thinking the same thing and has come up with a working prototype to fix that. Someday, that someone might be me. You're absolutely right when you say the owner's club is DeLorean level. Most of us could troubleshoot a problem with the car from a vague description, and give you ten things that could cause it. Plus, as long as you can bang-shift it and not smash second gear into a billion pieces like a Subaru 5-speed, it doesn't really matter. Don't get me started on the Reverse lockout. So yeah, the transmission feel isn't that great (but what do I care, I've dailied a Subaru for 4 years), and repairs are more expensive than almost any other Honda... and the cup holders are useless except for holding your phone and little screws that you forgot to put back in the dash... but even with the LRR tires and clapped suspension, my Insight has hung with NA Miatas. And they weren't exactly losing me in the corners.

That awkward moment you realize your CR-Z has a lot more common with the 1st gen Insight than a CRX 😭😭😭

"They're reliable because the owners are reliable." #saab

Those rearwheel covers make it look like a mobility scooter but they are still so cool.

I love how he roasts the drivers of all the cars he reviews. I wonder how they feel when they watch the video.😂

I just found a first-gen Insight last month. 112k miles, and in such a great shape the mechanic I took it to for a pre-purchase inspection commented on it. I now own my dream car and love it.

I bought one 3 years ago as a daily commuter and love it. Much geekier than a Prius (in a good way), manual transmission (even if it’s not very good), and 50+ MPG, at 12 years, 206,000 miles. This is a true enthusiast car, just for much different reasons.

"They're reliable...because the owners are reliable." Great *insight* RCR!

I'd still much rather own one of these than a Prius.

Deep down, I still want one. Not as my only car, though.

those are not ni-cad batteries, they are ni-mh. ni-cad has the "memory effect" where the batteries need fully discharged before recharging, and is completely impractical for hybrid applications.

Just get a manual CR-Z and enjoy driving a 2-seater hybrid. My wife had one for about 3 years. It was awesome.

I have 2004 Insight 251,000 miles. Replacing the battery this week myself for $600. I bought the car for $1000 and it runs and drives perfectly. Ive been driving without the battery and it still gets 50MPG. It is an AWESOME COMMUTER CAR THAT LITERALLY IS SAVING ME FROM DRIVING MY DODGE THAT GETS 10MPG.

I like your take on that Korn song, Roman.

I used to drive one of these. The initial impression is horrible (very little power, rumbling 3cyl engine) but the thing grows on you and it became one of my favorite cars to drive because it's insanely light! It weighs less than a Miata! I also only needed about 5-6 gallons of gas to get from the SF bay area to LA.

I love these cars. Up here in Canada, Honda sold 369 of them from 2000 to 2006. They sold 155 of those in 2000. I've owned 3 2000's. All Canadian Insights are 5 speeds. The CVT ones don't have lean burn. This review is pretty much spot on. But fuel prices here are now $1.78 per liter (where I live anyway). That's $6.72 a gallon. I'm glad I kept one haha.

IMO this car looks 5+ years newer than it's age. exterior styling and the gauge cluster made me guess this was a 2005 or newer.

This review is so spot on, especially for someone who doesn't own one. It's like he drove it (a few hours?) and knew everything there was to know about Insights and their owners mentalities. Good job.

it got S2K steering wheel, Sold!

The Insight motor oddly I think doesn't have variable valve timing. It has an odd VTEC system where below 3K Rpm~ it keeps 1 intake valve closed to create a swirl for better fuel combustion, above 3K rpm~ it opens up both intake valves. Sounds like his synchros might be bad, they really do suck in the gear box. Really wish Honda offered a different gear box though, it is so tall. I definitely wouldn't suggest the car to someone who doesn't want to tinker with the car. But for someone who like to modify on their own and wants to beat on a car and still get 40mpg, this is a pretty sweet car for the price. Cheap to pick up honestly.

I couldn't help but have a laugh near the end of the video when you said "Imagine owning a Packard or a Studebaker or something" I own one of each, a 1954 Packard Clipper super and a 1964 Studebaker Wagonaire, and while the Packard has tonnes of parts support from Kanter Auto in New Jersey, there's virtually nothing for the Studebaker. Whatever does pop up is expensive to buy and ship as it's all stateside and I'm further north. However, I would argue that it's very much worth the wait for me to get parts for the Studebaker. It's my favorite car for sure.

"High-bread"

because of this, I'm learning an accoustic version of Freak on a Leash, but my only audience is my 10 month old baby. thanks Roman

I've got one of these, the one he's driving here is knackered. The transmission on most are as good as other Hondas. The car wants to be up shifted early but it won't fight you if you redline it.

But, would the good gas mileage fit in my Honda?

Fairly certain these had Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) cells, not NiCAD. I've only reconditioned a pack or two.

I wanna see you review the CRZ.

SLAM IT, STRAIGHT PIPE IT BRO

I'm just waiting for a one-seater with 1cyl 350cc engines. 200mpg? Yesplz

I want one, so I can put a turbo K20 in it. Ultimate sleeper.

"Hi stranger, I just met you, guess how much mileage my car gets?" Every TDi owner. Ever.

I love my Honda Insight! All aluminum! My battery pack is 14 years old and still producing power. I love the design! 68 mpg! Top that.

.... and she tells you, " you ain't gettin Insight me."

I own a first gen Insight and make spreadsheets for fun and I was laughing my ass throughout the intro because you got it all spot on.

Our 2013 Insight EX averages 50 MPG running non ethanol 87 octane gas at approximately 60-65 MPH. The lifetime average of our Insight is 48.5 MPG...not bad for a vehicle that was only rated at 44 MPG from the factory.

"Because the owners are reliable" as someone who just got the rear drum brake shoes replaced in their 08 civic coupe this makes my heart warm.

That steering wheel is awesome. I almost thought it didn’t have an airbag til I saw SRS on it. That’s an early version of aesthetically integrating those big balloon bags.

During my master's thesis I constructed and tested nine 32 foot long concrete beams. I attached strain gauges to the longitudinal reinforcement and had load cell sensors at the three supports. I ended up with so much data that I filled all the rows in an excel spreadsheet. So that data hardon joke hit a little too close to home.

Oh, btw I made the same mistake in calling them Nickel Cadmium, but these are Nickel Metal Hydride. Pretty much most Hybrids till mid to late 2000's used Nickel batteries since they are pretty tough and easy on charging.

these actually make a good drag car because they're so aerodynamic and light, once you rip the hybrid stuff out and put a k series in it. they make swap kits.

The battery is not Nicd. Nimh. Its Nickel Metal Hydride. Big difference. Nicad, yup, those suck. Dead on right about that, but that's not whats in the Insight. Same sort of batteries used in Toyota Prius since forever. They're very reliable, and actually a pretty good EV battery solution, except the patent for them is owned by Chevron...

say what you want but this is an enthusiast's car. plus, it's good because it's light, which is the holy grail in 2017

YES, these cars get better and better

Roman channeling Linkin Park and Korn in the intro and outro.

"I'm in 5th gear, by 30", best part

I'm glad I know how many marathons the owner ran

Lol I can relate on the bad gear box...my '14 Forester 6MT shifted like a bus, occasionally grinding a gear on downshifts...WITH double clutching right out of the box. Great vid as always RCR!

I've had my 2000 Insight 16 years. The average fuel milage is 50.9. mpg. It looks and drives like new. I put in a Bumblebee battery pack, have a grid charger, upgraded speakers and radio, drilled and slotted front brakes. I've replaced one oxygen sensor and a hatch strut. It's way cooler than an Prius, no comparison.

7:05 Milwaukee and Damen. You AIN'T seen intersections until you've seen Milwaukee and Damen in Chicago.

He's completely right about DeLorean meets being repair meets. I'm going to one this weekend!

7:05 here we see a rare sight of an Audi driver using his signals.

I'd like to take credit for turning many of my friends on to your channel but really it's all you. Keep it up fellas.

I like the layout of this car. I'd totally buy a sporty two door gt with two seats and a big trunk to carry my sports stuff.

That last shot of the Insight driving away with the huge porta-potty in the foreground, lmao well played

#GranTurismo4

Nothing less than excellence from you guys. Every fucking time! I really appreciate what you do. Thank you-Jim

I still want one. I guess I just am a sucker for these kinds of things.

I recently got into a car crash in my Pontiac G6 (I rolled it in fact) and I now have an insight. My step dad gave it to me for $200. It gets me where I got to go, slowly, yes, but it does get there. The hybrid system is broken, so I have about 60 horsepower. I think it helps for me that I’ve never driven manual before it. I like getting that perfect shift and slowly advancing forward. As much of a price of shit as it is, I like it. And I’ll probably like it till it dies. It’s at least gotten me to where I can drive a manual, which is integral in being a car enthusiast

[Buttons top button] Does that insight have the factory gear oil in it? It's not great feeling due to the somewhat poorly implemented shift cables, but not that bad [Unbuttons]

Had one of these, and got over 100 mpg regularly. It actually handled pretty well also.

Hybred

Manual hybrid, props to Honda.

Ahhh, Korn at the end

Gotta love that Freak on a Leash parody for the outro.

Takes me back to the South Park 'Smug' episode.

They're Nickel metal hydride batteries. Not Nickel Cadmium. Great car. Had one for ten years. I wish Honda would make it again.

I would own one, if I could. Solely because of how it looks. Pure y2k futurism.

oh man the hypermiling memes were gold

This is officially the most underrated Honda platform, to build a fast car on. Fuck EG hatches. This has all aluminum chassis!

Damn, that freak on a leash bit at the end is next level brilliance.

Now I'm going to have to listen to some old Korn, because like every week, The Roman got a song stuck in my head.

This guy is the reason I bought my 1992 Honda Civic VX hatchback

I think Mr.Regular should do a video on the Geo Metro.

+1 for the E07A / Honda Beat reference - I let out a little 'squee' at the cutaway illustration when I recognized the MTREC inlet manifold...

wait was that last song basically korn's freak on a leash?

not gonna lie, this and the GM EV-1 are my favorite hybrid and electric cars. Loving those late 90's futuristic design aesthetics of them

Love my insight. Beats the hell out of my F150. 😜

Ohhh, how I missed "the voice". Glad to see that you brought it back.

Usually I agree with Mr. Regular but this time ... not so much. There’s inaccuracies here. The IMA battery is nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) just like any modern rechargeable AAA, AA, C or D cell, not cadmium. The chemistry is vastly better. Also, the manual trans shift feel is different from car to car, especially if the rear motor mount has worn out. The one he’s driving looks like a beater. Sports & Exotic Car Magazine pronounced it collectible: www.hemmings.com/magazine/hsx/2016/01/The-GTO-of-MPG/3749297.html The Insight was / is a tour de force of uncompromising engineering: a full aluminum 1800 lb two seater with a .cd of .25 is remarkable. I'd recommend you take Mr. Regular's panning of the 1st gen Insight with a grain of salt.

I only got 4 minutes in my rc10 with 7.2v nicad with a 12 turn brushed motor!! and that was taking it easy, thank god for lipos!

wasnt there a 300-500bhp Insight on The Smoking Tyre once? i thought that was cool. i'd own that.

1st gen Insight are way easier to mod the hybrid system then the toyota hybrids. The BCM used in the insight can easily be fooled with some simple circuit i build in the garage. End product of the 3rd insight is 150mpg avg over 30 miles until it runs out of power from the 4.7KWh Lithium battery that i was able to fit in the battery compartment

acoustic freak on a leash?

I was waiting for this review, I drive one of these daily and I learned how to drive stick on it

Real question: VTEC? 😅

omg the radio shack battery reference brought tears to my eyes

YOU'RE LATE REGULAR! WHY MAN!? WHY!?

You can buy a K-Swapped Insight from LHT Performance in Florida. They start at $23k, which sounds like a-lot, but that's what a Prius starts at and a K-sight would be much more fun.. Plus the entire car is redone, suspension, brakes etc. They also make a 500hp awd K-sight, but thats just nuts.

Gen 1 Insight batteries = Nickel Metal Hydride = NiMH != NiCd

I just bought a 2000 with 80,200mi on it. The first Insight sold in Madison WI. Chemistry teacher bought it new and a notebook cane wirh it that he recorded every fillup the car ever had, where, cumulative mpg, trip mpg, and gas price. Crazy

Its got the same steering wheel that's in the S2000. You're welcome.

I've been in a Morgan three wheeler. One of the ultimate road condition evaluators ever! Pothole missile.

I like how they tried to make it look like the GM EV1.

That's a lot of the reasons why I like my 2019 Insight. It's the least hybrid of all the hybrids, as far as I can tell. I can play "hypermile", or I can just drive the thing. I'ts unobtrusive. VERY appliance-like, but it's a nice appliance. Plus it'll zoom if I need it to. Granted, the "zoom" sound is played through the speakers. But it scoots along pretty good. 99% of the time, though, I let the electronics handle everything.

God damn i used to ball out on mickeys speedway USA

There are no explosions inside an internal combustion engine unless something is very wrong. That is why it is called internal COMBUSTION. (Diesels do have explosions. That is why they are Diesels.) But great video as usual. Thanks for doing what you do!