2001 Honda Insight Hybrid Base Hatchback 3-door 1.0l Manual on 2040-cars

VIN: JHMZE135X1T001161 Year: 2001
Make: Honda
Model: Insight
Warranty: Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty
Trim: Base Hatchback 3-Door
Options: CD Player
Drive Type: FWD
Safety Features: Driver Airbag, Passenger Airbag
Mileage: 119,210
Power Options: Power Locks, Power Windows
Sub Model: MT
Exterior Color: Red
Interior Color: Gray
Number of Doors: 2
Number of Cylinders: 3

Condition: Used: A vehicle is considered used if it has been registered and issued a title. Used vehicles have had at least one previous owner. The condition of the exterior, interior and engine can vary depending on the vehicle's history. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections. ... 

I am selling this hybrid first-generation Honda Insight primarily because I trashed my left ankle and can no longer use a clutch. The car has recent undiagnosed mechanical problems and I don't want to get involved in repairs to a car I will not be able to drive--hence the incredibly low price.

I am the second owner and have loved driving it for the past three years. It is in very good physical condition for its age and everthing works. The only modification is that it has a Pioneer aftermarket stereo CD with bluetooth and microphone and upgraded speakers. I will provide the original stereo head unit (with cassette) with the car. It also comes with a cargo net, snow chains (there is only one kind that fits this car) and a shop manual.

The car was running well until January. In December I took it from the San Francisco Bay Area to the Seattle area with no problems. Between Bend, Oregon and Weed, California, I got 65 miles per gallon. Lifetime average mpg if 58.

In January it started to buck at low throttle (giving it a little gas). This is common on these cars and is usually the result of a faculty EGR valve. However, it continued to have the same problem after the following work was done: valve adjustment, new coils, new EGR valve, cleaning of the EGR channels in the exhaust manifold space, cleaning out the EGR port in the engine block.

It is now drivable but the EGR is disconnected, which effects the power and the battery charging. Several mechanics have suggested the problem may be a constricted catalytic converter. The check engine light is on with a P0420 code which usually means catalytic converter or oxygen sensor problems. The sensors on this car's exhaust system are notoriously sensitive, so the code often appears when there are no major problems. I had the dealership check the sensors and they are operating within normal parameters, which suggests the problem is with the cats.

Book on this car is about $4,700 and these Insights often sell for much more because they only made a couple thousand a year and no gas-engined, mass produced car has ever turned in better fuel economy. I have started this listing at $2,500 to allow for repairs. Majestic Honda sells the kit with both cats and most of the other parts needed (part number 06180-PHM-A00) for $1215.47. To replace the cats you will also need another gasket not included in the kit (part number 18393-SH3-S00) for $6.95.

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=5&catcgry1=INSIGHT&catcgry2=2001&catcgry3=3DR+DX&catcgry4=5MT&catcgry5=EXHAUST+PIPE&vinsrch=yes

I want to be clear that while this is the most likely explanation according the to many mechanics and Insight owners I have spoke to, there I make no guarantee that this is the problem. I also don't know that there aren't other issues that might have led to clogged catalytic converter or whether back pressure from running with a clogged cat might have caused other problems. I only know the car was running well until January and since it started having problems I have only driven it enough to not let the battery sit (which can shorten battery life).

I bought this car at about 102,000 miles and replaced the tires. I also had a new engine control unit (ECM) with the latest software installed and replaced the battery, which was failing. The replacement battery has about 65,000 miles on it. Because it is from a later model, it has the later programming, which reduces fuel economy a little but extends battery life.

The car also has a couple of the annoying problems typical of these cars. The driver's side window sometimes comes off the track but it is easy to fix on the fly. The rear window wiper motor makes a lot of noise after a few wipes. It has a middle case of what Insight owners call "the wet seatbelt leak." Water can leak in above the B pillar. Like I said, it is minor and I have never bothered to fix it because I live in a place that doesn't get a lot of rain and I keep up in a carport. Fixing it involves pulling off a piece of plastic trim that runs from the A pillar to the B pillar and using silicone or some other method to patch it. The leak is often around a clip that that needs to be replaced (about $10).