I'm looking for a potential "airport car"/backup commuter and I've toyed with the idea of a 1st gen Insight for a while. They're not that hard to find over in CA, but before I waste a day looking at one or two I figured I'd ask the hive...
The main one is - I know the luggage "tray" area isn't that big due to the batteries being underneath it. To be useful as an airport car I need enough space to stick a "full size" suitcase and ideally a second small suitcase in there. Full-size meaning, well, a normal suitcase, not a steamer trunk.
Also, I assume they're pretty DIY-able, right? There seems to be a lot of info on the 'net that actually looks like it's useful and not "my first car repair video".
There was just a thread about these yesterday. I've always liked them. There's one for sale in Salt Lake City with 300+k on it for $3000. It has a recently rebuilt transmission which is apparently one of the only weaknesses of the car.
The danger of an Insight for an airport car is that the IMA battery hates sitting. Let it sit more than 3-4 weeks and it's dead within a year. This probably gets worse as it ages.
I'd probably use it like I did use the CRX - it'll sit around for a week or two, but on average get used at least once a week to get to work/Costco/Whole Foods etc.
The hatch area will definitely fit your cargo requirements. Good cars, apparently the synchros get crunchy.
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