ShobThaBob
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- rosooftw
I want one of these quite badly.
HFS's car thread | Nearly-5000-miles update
- Thread starter homeforsummer
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In Santa Monica at the moment on business (it's a hard life).
Just spotted this from my hotel window. Insight homies represent!
Was just thinking when I arrived yesterday that I've already seen all manner of interesting cars - 240Zs, dozens of classic Mustangs, loads of Tesla Model S etc - yet hadn't seen any Insights. First one I see is the same colour as mine...
Just spotted this from my hotel window. Insight homies represent!
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So do I, not least because it's 20 degrees warmer here than it is back home and you can actually see the sun. Amazing what it does for one's mood in mid-November.
Quick edit:
Buffed my headlights again as they'd started oxidising. Some sort of UV protection coating is needed really, but I need to research it some more. In the meantime, clear headlights pic:
As you can see, they're not perfect (just tidied them up quickly, enough to make them more effective). Purple glow is from the coating on the bulbs.
Quick edit:
Buffed my headlights again as they'd started oxidising. Some sort of UV protection coating is needed really, but I need to research it some more. In the meantime, clear headlights pic:
As you can see, they're not perfect (just tidied them up quickly, enough to make them more effective). Purple glow is from the coating on the bulbs.
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- 27,205
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A few recent observations from winter Insight driving:
- Clearing the headlights (as above) has definitely been beneficial.
- This car, more than any other I've owned, really needs a limited slip diff. Narrow tyres, and electric assistance that adds 36lb ft of torque to the engine's peak about 3k rpm lower in the rev range, means this thing gets crazy wheelspin on slippery roads if you try and pull away briskly. Particularly if you have some steering angle.
- Economy is definitely starting to suffer. The colder mornings mean longer to get to operating temperature, and I've noticed the stop-start not kicking in, which is a failsafe to ensure the car doesn't damage itself when the oil is cold.
- The heater is actually pretty good. My A/C doesn't work but I've not had any issues with the car misting up, and on my ~15 minute commute I get some nice, usable temperature after maybe six or seven minutes. Not bad from a tiny and thermally-efficient engine.
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I can't remember the exact type, but yeah, the light itself is pretty yellow. I prefer a slightly yellow light for older cars - most aftermarket white bulbs are pretty crappy when it comes to light intensity.
New LED lights on the other hand are amazingly bright. I look forward to the day when people can retrofit all old light units with a proper LED setup.
- 27,205
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Before/after of my latest little change for the Insight.
My regards go to all those people with S2000s who think they can drift, then discover they can't. It means lots of nice leather steering wheels on the market so those of us with plastic versions in the Insight can make a nice swap...
Edit:
Further Insight news: I disconnected the battery to swap the wheel, to avoid any mishaps with the airbag. Interestingly, it's set the trip computer (with its broken page button) to page one - so I can now see my total mileage, and lifetime fuel economy. Somewhere around 13,000 of those miles are mine...
My regards go to all those people with S2000s who think they can drift, then discover they can't. It means lots of nice leather steering wheels on the market so those of us with plastic versions in the Insight can make a nice swap...
Edit:
Further Insight news: I disconnected the battery to swap the wheel, to avoid any mishaps with the airbag. Interestingly, it's set the trip computer (with its broken page button) to page one - so I can now see my total mileage, and lifetime fuel economy. Somewhere around 13,000 of those miles are mine...
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- 27,205
- United Kingdom
The Honda had its MOT today.
For those not versed in the UK's MOT system, it's probably similar to the general inspections/roadworthiness tests you're more familiar with. They check the obvious stuff - your headlights and taillights work, the brakes do the job they're supposed to etc, as well as less obvious things - dashboard warning lights are now a "fail", there mustn't be excess play in suspension bushings, you're not allowed chips/cracks bigger than 10mm in your field of view etc.
Regardless of all the tests, the Insight stayed true to its Honda roots and not only passed but did so without any "advisory" marks - i.e. there's nothing that requires attention in the near future either. It thus becomes the first car I've owned for any length of time that got through such a test unscathed.
As a treat, it's also been Terraclean'd, and yesterday it had an oil change. Not expecting to see any great leaps in economy (winter and commuting have dropped my average down to the mid-60s) but it's more reassuring to know the engine has had a bit of attention.
---
In other news, I've recently been considering getting a new car. Working where I work is a bad influence when it comes to driving something not-quick, and regular access to a track means the Insight isn't the ideal car for brushing up my skills.
I've considered all sorts, some of which would require significant capital investment. But given the Insight's continuing awesomeness at what it does I'm beginning to think it'd be a shame to sell it. Also, I figure that selling a fuel-efficient car in the middle of the lowest fuel prices since 2009 is about as wise as selling a convertible amid the coldest winter on record.
So I'm currently formulating plans which involve keeping it, but getting something fun - likely another MX-5 - to use for work-related things, track time etc. Watch this space.
For those not versed in the UK's MOT system, it's probably similar to the general inspections/roadworthiness tests you're more familiar with. They check the obvious stuff - your headlights and taillights work, the brakes do the job they're supposed to etc, as well as less obvious things - dashboard warning lights are now a "fail", there mustn't be excess play in suspension bushings, you're not allowed chips/cracks bigger than 10mm in your field of view etc.
Regardless of all the tests, the Insight stayed true to its Honda roots and not only passed but did so without any "advisory" marks - i.e. there's nothing that requires attention in the near future either. It thus becomes the first car I've owned for any length of time that got through such a test unscathed.
As a treat, it's also been Terraclean'd, and yesterday it had an oil change. Not expecting to see any great leaps in economy (winter and commuting have dropped my average down to the mid-60s) but it's more reassuring to know the engine has had a bit of attention.
---
In other news, I've recently been considering getting a new car. Working where I work is a bad influence when it comes to driving something not-quick, and regular access to a track means the Insight isn't the ideal car for brushing up my skills.
I've considered all sorts, some of which would require significant capital investment. But given the Insight's continuing awesomeness at what it does I'm beginning to think it'd be a shame to sell it. Also, I figure that selling a fuel-efficient car in the middle of the lowest fuel prices since 2009 is about as wise as selling a convertible amid the coldest winter on record.
So I'm currently formulating plans which involve keeping it, but getting something fun - likely another MX-5 - to use for work-related things, track time etc. Watch this space.
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I did a thing.
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- Jersey V.1.0
- axletramp
What colour? Looks dark green - metallic, of course.
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- Moglet85
- Moglet
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- 27,205
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Black. It's a Eunos Roadster S-Special - standard kit includes the colour, the wing, the BBS alloys, a Nardi wheel, Bilstein dampers, an LSD and a strut brace - though it's lacking the latter.
Non-standard kit includes some leather pews in this one, a chrome gearknob in place of the standard leather Nardi one (may attempt to find an original) and the chrome style bar which is going on eBay as soon as possible as I certainly don't want it anywhere near my car.
One day, one day...
Not gonna stop you
This one drives really nicely. It's as tight as any I've tried up until now.
INEEDNAWZZZ
Premium
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- EGGSBAWCKS
- DigitalLuke64DD
Small world; MX-5 City has another dealer opposite (Eco City Car Sales) which is run by the same owner, which is where I picked up my Starlet. Even weirder is that I was looking at that exact same Eunos online just a few days ago.
Very nice purchase, the majority of their stock is well looked after and this one appears to be no different. 👍
Very nice purchase, the majority of their stock is well looked after and this one appears to be no different. 👍
- 27,205
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I thought that too, but I've bought the car with a hard top and it balances out the shape quite nicely.
Eventual plan is a ducktail though.
Eco City is run by a different bloke actually, though I believe the land is owned by MX-5 City still. The guy who runs that other dealership came over to me when I pulled up in the Insight the other day. He's apparently had four of the things.
But yeah, they sell nice MX-5s there. No pics of mine yet, may manage to snap some this afternoon (if not, tomorrow), but it's definitely a nice example.
- 27,205
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Annoyingly, no more pictures of the car just yet. In contrast to the Honda, which I bought when I was doing infrequent, longer journeys, I've bought the Mazda while I'm doing frequent commutes, so the times to take photos have been slim so far.
What I can confirm is that after one tank of fuel, I've done about 34mpg UK / 28mpg US. That's a 2/3-1/3 split of 65mph motorway driving and general commuting, with a few blasts here and there. Put another way, pretty much what I got from my old MX-5.
There are two sides to this. One is that the Mazda is going to cost me basically twice in fuel what the Insight did over a given distance. The other is that it's quite nice driving a car with short, punchy gearing again and one where I don't spend most journeys trying to eke every last drop from it, with umpteen instruments in front of me showing how profligate I'm being.
Will supply a more thorough update on the car once I have some pics to illustrate it all with!
What I can confirm is that after one tank of fuel, I've done about 34mpg UK / 28mpg US. That's a 2/3-1/3 split of 65mph motorway driving and general commuting, with a few blasts here and there. Put another way, pretty much what I got from my old MX-5.
There are two sides to this. One is that the Mazda is going to cost me basically twice in fuel what the Insight did over a given distance. The other is that it's quite nice driving a car with short, punchy gearing again and one where I don't spend most journeys trying to eke every last drop from it, with umpteen instruments in front of me showing how profligate I'm being.
Will supply a more thorough update on the car once I have some pics to illustrate it all with!
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Facts. MX5s are appreciating when in good condition and it's getting harder to find clean and unmolested ones (which it seems you have). You have one of the most frugal cars to daily, a car I don't think will depreciate much because it started all the hybrid craze.
The roads are still salted, however nice to drive the MX5 shouldn't be driven now. A beater fine, but yours looks clean. Considering how sensible your daily is and that your commute bumped up it makes full sense to garage the Mazda over the winter.
Make an equation of money spent on insurance and road tax for the Insight together with a Mazda, throw in how much you save in fuel. There should be depreciation/appreciation calculations based on the two cars thrown in the mix. Also consider how much of a hit the value of the MX5 will take with bubbly rear arches or factor in the cost of new arches welded in. Also consider how much a battery replacement on the Insight would be.
I don't know the market, how much you paid for either car or the price history on them. Make a serious cost assessment before you dump it because of 'road tax and insurance' reasons, as that's only half the picture. I know I may seem harsh but I do know a thing or two. If the real difference in costs over a year between owning one and two cars come out to 1/2 or even 1/4 of just the added tax and insurance I'd easily pay that to have a cruise ready summer car and a frugal daily for piece of mind.
Just my two cents bud..
The roads are still salted, however nice to drive the MX5 shouldn't be driven now. A beater fine, but yours looks clean. Considering how sensible your daily is and that your commute bumped up it makes full sense to garage the Mazda over the winter.
Make an equation of money spent on insurance and road tax for the Insight together with a Mazda, throw in how much you save in fuel. There should be depreciation/appreciation calculations based on the two cars thrown in the mix. Also consider how much of a hit the value of the MX5 will take with bubbly rear arches or factor in the cost of new arches welded in. Also consider how much a battery replacement on the Insight would be.
I don't know the market, how much you paid for either car or the price history on them. Make a serious cost assessment before you dump it because of 'road tax and insurance' reasons, as that's only half the picture. I know I may seem harsh but I do know a thing or two. If the real difference in costs over a year between owning one and two cars come out to 1/2 or even 1/4 of just the added tax and insurance I'd easily pay that to have a cruise ready summer car and a frugal daily for piece of mind.
Just my two cents bud..
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- Portland / Or /
- Barefoot_Driver
I usually agree with @eiriksmil, but this time I have to disagree.
MX5s are still being made, unlike S2000s or (cough) SVXs. They might be appreciating in value for now, but as vehicles become more electric and get better MPG that will change.
When it comes to a daily driver **** the math. Do you love driving it? Then drive it!
(Again, nothing but respect for @eiriksmil, just my 2c.)
MX5s are still being made, unlike S2000s or (cough) SVXs. They might be appreciating in value for now, but as vehicles become more electric and get better MPG that will change.
When it comes to a daily driver **** the math. Do you love driving it? Then drive it!
(Again, nothing but respect for @eiriksmil, just my 2c.)
- 27,205
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Gonna have to side with @Ronald6 on this one, @eiriksmil.
A few counterpoints:
If I drove like I did last year, the cost of fuel for the Mazda would almost certainly eclipse the other running costs for the Honda. However, last year I lived further north and spent a huge amount of time doing 200-400 mile per day journeys up and down the country, which is why I did 13k miles in it in 10 months.
Now, I live seven miles from work, and even if I do occasional longer weekend trips, the cost of doing so will be less than half what I did in the Honda anyway. At that limit, the Honda is just an extra cost.
The other issue is the money tied up in the Honda's value. I could probably sell it today for what I paid for it a year ago. Would it appreciate in value? Probably, given time, but I don't have the luxury of adequate cash flow in the meantime in which to find out.
The elephant in the room is the Honda's battery. It's still on the original one. Replacement is about £2000 - two years' worth of fuel for the Honda at 13k miles a year. Or two years of fuel for the Mazda at half that mileage... and if it needed replacing, the car wouldn't really be worth any more. That's a risk I'm not sure I'm prepared to foot.
The final issue is that while the Honda is cool, and in an ideal world I wouldn't sell it, I'm not really at risk any longer of not being able to find a car of similar or better frugality in the current market. If for some reason I start doing huge mileage (in a car I own, rather than using press cars for longer trips...) then there are now dozens of options on the market for cars that don't cost much to run. I don't intend to buy a new-ish car any time soon, but it's not like economical cars are hard to come by any more.
And in the meantime... I bought the Mazda to enjoy it. If I didn't feel like a change I wouldn't have bought it in the first place.
A few counterpoints:
If I drove like I did last year, the cost of fuel for the Mazda would almost certainly eclipse the other running costs for the Honda. However, last year I lived further north and spent a huge amount of time doing 200-400 mile per day journeys up and down the country, which is why I did 13k miles in it in 10 months.
Now, I live seven miles from work, and even if I do occasional longer weekend trips, the cost of doing so will be less than half what I did in the Honda anyway. At that limit, the Honda is just an extra cost.
The other issue is the money tied up in the Honda's value. I could probably sell it today for what I paid for it a year ago. Would it appreciate in value? Probably, given time, but I don't have the luxury of adequate cash flow in the meantime in which to find out.
The elephant in the room is the Honda's battery. It's still on the original one. Replacement is about £2000 - two years' worth of fuel for the Honda at 13k miles a year. Or two years of fuel for the Mazda at half that mileage... and if it needed replacing, the car wouldn't really be worth any more. That's a risk I'm not sure I'm prepared to foot.
The final issue is that while the Honda is cool, and in an ideal world I wouldn't sell it, I'm not really at risk any longer of not being able to find a car of similar or better frugality in the current market. If for some reason I start doing huge mileage (in a car I own, rather than using press cars for longer trips...) then there are now dozens of options on the market for cars that don't cost much to run. I don't intend to buy a new-ish car any time soon, but it's not like economical cars are hard to come by any more.
And in the meantime... I bought the Mazda to enjoy it. If I didn't feel like a change I wouldn't have bought it in the first place.
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- axletramp
Where's my big red 'bull****!' button?
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It's true. The MX-5 really isn't a cruiser. Does around 4k rpm at 70mph, and my hard top has a slightly dodgy seal so it roars like a hurricane at anything above about 45mph.Where's my big red 'bull****!' button?
I once got a 43mpg tank in my old car driving to London and back at about 65. It's just a happy cruising speed for them. It's the right speed to stay mainly in the inside lane too, just overtaking a truck now and then. At 70 you find your speed inexorably creeping up to avoid holding up other traffic until you're mixing with stuff at 85-90 in the outside lane.
- 27,205
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Finally got around to taking some snaps.
And some more info:
It's a Eunos Roadster S-Spec, 1992. Based on the 1.6, black, originally came standard with a Nardi wheel and gearknob, a yellow strut brace, Bilstein shocks, the BBS wheels and the rear spoiler.
Of those it's missing the Nardi 'knob (at some point replaced with the chrome orb it has now), and the strut brace. I'm not sure if it's still on Bilsteins - part of me doubts it. At some point, it's had some non-standard (but still original MX-5) leather seats fitted. I got a hard top, because UK. And being a 1.6 Eunos, it has a standard viscous LSD.
Initial plans:
Return it to stock, at least visually. While I do have plans past this, the main motivation is to get it standard so I can get some good photos of an S-Spec for future updates of my book. The leather seats are nice enough, but they're also worth a few bob and they'll be hopeless when I start to take it on track. They also feel a bit more padded than the standard cloth ones, which means I feel like I'm sitting a little higher than I did in my old MX-5.
Future plans:
Who knows? Originally I wanted to transform bits of it to RS-Limited spec. The RS is one of the most sought-after NA Eunos - based on the S-Spec, but with 15" BBS rims, a lower final drive, and a set of fantastic carbon-kevlar Recaros. And the 1.8 engine, but that's besides the point. The main plan was to get hold of some of those Recaros, but they're rare as unicorn poo, and therefore not far off the price of new ones when they come up for sale.
A different part of the plan is to snag the proper Recaro Pole Position we have hooked up to a racing rig that nobody ever uses in the office. Needs new lower cushions sourcing, but it's £500-odd of Recaro potentially for free.
Will try and source an original Nardi gearknob too. The chrome one isn't too bad but it feels a little stubby for me, the ball is too big and it has the usual cold/heat unpleasantness depending on the weather.
And some more info:
It's a Eunos Roadster S-Spec, 1992. Based on the 1.6, black, originally came standard with a Nardi wheel and gearknob, a yellow strut brace, Bilstein shocks, the BBS wheels and the rear spoiler.
Of those it's missing the Nardi 'knob (at some point replaced with the chrome orb it has now), and the strut brace. I'm not sure if it's still on Bilsteins - part of me doubts it. At some point, it's had some non-standard (but still original MX-5) leather seats fitted. I got a hard top, because UK. And being a 1.6 Eunos, it has a standard viscous LSD.
Initial plans:
Return it to stock, at least visually. While I do have plans past this, the main motivation is to get it standard so I can get some good photos of an S-Spec for future updates of my book. The leather seats are nice enough, but they're also worth a few bob and they'll be hopeless when I start to take it on track. They also feel a bit more padded than the standard cloth ones, which means I feel like I'm sitting a little higher than I did in my old MX-5.
Future plans:
Who knows? Originally I wanted to transform bits of it to RS-Limited spec. The RS is one of the most sought-after NA Eunos - based on the S-Spec, but with 15" BBS rims, a lower final drive, and a set of fantastic carbon-kevlar Recaros. And the 1.8 engine, but that's besides the point. The main plan was to get hold of some of those Recaros, but they're rare as unicorn poo, and therefore not far off the price of new ones when they come up for sale.
A different part of the plan is to snag the proper Recaro Pole Position we have hooked up to a racing rig that nobody ever uses in the office. Needs new lower cushions sourcing, but it's £500-odd of Recaro potentially for free.
Will try and source an original Nardi gearknob too. The chrome one isn't too bad but it feels a little stubby for me, the ball is too big and it has the usual cold/heat unpleasantness depending on the weather.
- 27,205
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