Author Topic: Honda Insight Mk 1 2002  (Read 9067 times)

Barry

  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1207
Re: Honda Insight Mk 1 2002
« Reply #15 on: June 30, 2014, 01:05:20 PM »
And the cost of how many rebuilds in 111,000 miles?
Comfort?
Time to get to where you are going.
Passengers?

Hard to compare, after all, a push-bike would be even cheaper.

steven mandell

  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 890
Re: Honda Insight Mk 1 2002
« Reply #16 on: June 30, 2014, 04:55:01 PM »
That tends to confirm something that I was told several years ago by the Shell answer man.
That being that the formulaion of gas as sold in California was regulated to a mix that would produce  fewer emissions, but give 5- 7% worse gas mileage when compared to other states.
To wit; I did manage 69.5 mpg on my 150 mile round trip trek to Zuma Beach in Malibu, as I took a scenic route that had my car climbing some very steep grades for about 25 minutes.  As the battery has no chance to be recharged whilst they are being utilized to help the car up these slopes, I did obey its instruction to downshift into second gear on about a half dozen instances during this phase- so of course this lowered my gas mileage.

I am an extremely attentive driver when it comes to maintaining my overall lifetime gas mileage on this vehicle.
After 13 years of use, I have piled on 165,000 miles, and averaged exactly 65.0 m.p.g.
I can only wonder what it might have been if I had been permitted to use your mix.

richard

  • Rich
  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 4458
  • Bond ,Gordon,Bruetsch
Re: Honda Insight Mk 1 2002
« Reply #17 on: June 30, 2014, 06:04:58 PM »
silly question but are you both on Imperial or U.S. gallons -  no idea which is the larger , but i am sure you both do
outside of a dog a book is mans best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read .Groucho Marx 1895-1977

Big Al

  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 4578
  • Ranttweiler, biting the breeze block of banter
Re: Honda Insight Mk 1 2002
« Reply #18 on: June 30, 2014, 06:07:59 PM »
And the cost of how many rebuilds in 111,000 miles?
Comfort?
Time to get to where you are going.
Passengers?

Hard to compare, after all, a push-bike would be even cheaper.

The rebuilds would be in the calculation at 3rd rebore, I would suggest allowing for a crank and chains etc. The Trienkel was expected to reach 50k miles before major work. So 35k miles is a good condition time to rebore for engine efficiency. This is minimal to pollution debt and some of the parts can be re used.

Is time part of the green calculation? It can be allowed for. Most trips in cars are short ones so only the longer ones really come into play. Remember a well made Trienkel will cruise at 50 mph, I am not talking of one of the ill built modern crappers. What is the average speed on differing types of roads today? Remember that the slower you go the less held up you are, so the more efficient your driving is.

Indeed a push bike would. But can your family of three fit on one, or two?  Can you collect a Christmas tree, or fridge on one? Its a different spec to what we are comparing.
« Last Edit: June 30, 2014, 06:14:02 PM by Big Al »
Messerschmitt set, Goggo Darts, Heinkel 175, Fiat Jolly, Autobianchi, Fairthorpe Electron Minor, Borgward, Isuzu Trooper
Citroen BX 17TZD & GTI 16v
Held - MG Magnette ZB & 4/44
For sale - Vellam Isetta, Bamby, AC Type 70, Velorex, Church Pod, Reliant Mk5, KR200,  Saab 96, Bellemy Trials, Citroen BXs

Big Al

  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 4578
  • Ranttweiler, biting the breeze block of banter
Re: Honda Insight Mk 1 2002
« Reply #19 on: June 30, 2014, 06:14:49 PM »
silly question but are you both on Imperial or U.S. gallons -  no idea which is the larger , but i am sure you both do

I do not know but I am certain Texas ones are bigger.
Messerschmitt set, Goggo Darts, Heinkel 175, Fiat Jolly, Autobianchi, Fairthorpe Electron Minor, Borgward, Isuzu Trooper
Citroen BX 17TZD & GTI 16v
Held - MG Magnette ZB & 4/44
For sale - Vellam Isetta, Bamby, AC Type 70, Velorex, Church Pod, Reliant Mk5, KR200,  Saab 96, Bellemy Trials, Citroen BXs

Barry

  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1207
Re: Honda Insight Mk 1 2002
« Reply #20 on: June 30, 2014, 06:15:51 PM »
And the cost of how many rebuilds in 111,000 miles?
Comfort?
Time to get to where you are going.
Passengers?

Hard to compare, after all, a push-bike would be even cheaper.

The rebuilds would be in the calculation at 3rd rebore, I would suggest allowing for a crank and chains etc. The Trienkel was expected to reach 50k miles before major work. So 35k miles is a good condition time to rebore for engine efficiency. This is minimal to pollution debt and some of the parts can be re used.

Is time part of the green calculation? It can be allowed for. Most trips in cars are short ones so only the longer ones really come into play. Remember a well made Trienkel will cruise at 50 mph, I am not talking of one of the ill built modern crappers. What is the average speed on differing types of roads today? Remember that the slower you go the less held up you are, so the more efficient your driving is.

Indeed a push bike would. But can your family of three fit on one, or two?  Can you collect a Christmas tree, or fridge on one? Its a different spec to what we are comparing.

Your argument is always sound and believable Al! 
Ditch the Insight and get a heinkel, much more economical, comfortable and ecologically sound.  No stress driving on a long run.
I will let you explain that to my wife. ;D

Big Al

  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 4578
  • Ranttweiler, biting the breeze block of banter
Re: Honda Insight Mk 1 2002
« Reply #21 on: June 30, 2014, 06:52:13 PM »
Are wives green..... No lets not go there!

I never said it was a practical alternative today but I get annoyed when the green debate conveniently leaves out awkward facts to win its case. A drive round the green capitol of Britain, Brighton and West Sussex, tells you all you need to know about green. Lets pollute some other poor sod we cannot see and charge the population at large for it. Its another form of socialism. True green means getting uncomfy or some personal investment since the Government are not genuinely interested.
Messerschmitt set, Goggo Darts, Heinkel 175, Fiat Jolly, Autobianchi, Fairthorpe Electron Minor, Borgward, Isuzu Trooper
Citroen BX 17TZD & GTI 16v
Held - MG Magnette ZB & 4/44
For sale - Vellam Isetta, Bamby, AC Type 70, Velorex, Church Pod, Reliant Mk5, KR200,  Saab 96, Bellemy Trials, Citroen BXs

Chris Thomas

  • Administrator
  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1261
  • old Banana
Re: Honda Insight Mk 1 2002
« Reply #22 on: June 30, 2014, 07:20:52 PM »
I was measuring my MPG in Imperial gallons, but Steve would have measured in US gallons which are smaller.

Regardless of which it is, it is still twice what you would get out of most petrol cars, and after 15 years cars are only just managing to reach the same MPG as my Insight did. Progress, or is it pressure from the oil companies who want to sell petrol.

Chris Thomas

Big Al

  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 4578
  • Ranttweiler, biting the breeze block of banter
Re: Honda Insight Mk 1 2002
« Reply #23 on: June 30, 2014, 08:04:33 PM »
it is still twice what you would get out of most petrol cars, and after 15 years cars are only just managing to reach the same MPG as my Insight did. Progress, or is it pressure from the oil companies who want to sell petrol.

Indeed so. Your last comment is another whole topic of which I suspect that many a good idea is being sat on for increased profitability, till the time is right. The Insight and chums make far more sense than pure electric cars nationwide, unless we proceed onto power cells at service stations. That is a long way away I think, and might be superseded by far better frictionless train type technology for A route transportation with, or without, your personal vehicle. Such systems can deal with a far greater density of movements. Could be that the car becomes the preserve of the rural and wealthy. 
Messerschmitt set, Goggo Darts, Heinkel 175, Fiat Jolly, Autobianchi, Fairthorpe Electron Minor, Borgward, Isuzu Trooper
Citroen BX 17TZD & GTI 16v
Held - MG Magnette ZB & 4/44
For sale - Vellam Isetta, Bamby, AC Type 70, Velorex, Church Pod, Reliant Mk5, KR200,  Saab 96, Bellemy Trials, Citroen BXs

steven mandell

  • Prolific Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 890
Re: Honda Insight Mk 1 2002
« Reply #24 on: June 30, 2014, 08:13:05 PM »
My last 13 years of concentrated effort have been redeemed! :D
Even with our less effecient mix, I have been able to manage  lifetime average of 78.125 m.p.imperial gallon.
Which makes my 350 mile trip back from Monterrey average out to 88.1 m.p.imperial gallon!
« Last Edit: July 01, 2014, 02:19:05 AM by steven mandell »