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July 13, 2020 11:11 am by

2003 Honda Insight Hybrid with 72k Miles

For July 13, 2020, our used car find is this 72k mile 2003 Honda Insight hybrid, which is listed on craigslist by a private seller in the Atlanta area for $8250.

Here’s what makes this car special.

The Listing

The first generation Honda Insight (ZE1) debuted in 1999 as the first hybrid car in North America, beating the Toyota Prius to market by about seven months. It was a revolutionary design, far ahead of its time, which used the first version of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist technology along with lightweight materials and a wind-cheating design (with a record-low 0.25 coefficient of drag) to deliver an EPA-estimated 47 mpg in mixed driving.

This example is pretty much everything you could ask for in a used Insight, with relatively low miles, a like-new appearance inside and out, an accident-free history, and full service records from the local dealership, including a hybrid battery replacement less than one year ago.

These cars were available with a 5-speed manual gearbox, which is cool. However, the optional continuously variable transmission (CVT), which is fitted here, is actually a better match for the hybrid powertrain. The CVT allows the battery-management computer better control over the application of electric assist, which helps to keep the battery pack in a proper state of charge no matter how you’re driving.

Most first-gen Insights have been pretty well used up by now since most owners drove them as commuters. That makes an example this clean pretty rare.

The $8250 asking price reflects that rarity. That’s honestly a bit on the high side, even for an unusually nice specimen. We think $7500 or under would be well bought.

Details and Specs

  • 2003 Honda Insight CVT
  • 72k miles
  • 1.0 liter inline three cylinder engine with electric motor assist
  • continuously variable transmission (CVT)
  • Sebring Silver on gray cloth
  • for sale by owner for $8250
  • Milton, Georgia
  • JM1NC2PF4B0214950

 

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